Feature Friday #023 — Wayne Minnis
International man of mystery Wayne Minnis sits down with us to discuss his inspiration, adventures, and… ties to the New World Order? You won't find many personal details online (coincidence?) but there are plenty simple and charming designs to spare. Read on to get the scoop.
Typically I start with some background to color up the intro for these, but I'm a little thrown on this one. Outside of being an Aussie, there's very little about you online. I'm certain that's by design, so let's start this off with a bang!
What are we missing? Do you have 15 kids… are you part of the cabal secretly ruling the world through one all-powerful government… maybe a founding member of the hottest boy band Down Under? The people want to know, Wayne! What's a week in your life look like?
Ahah no deep dark secrets to reveal sorry. I guess I do keep it pretty low key online, I think all I really want to do on social media is just look at cool pictures and videos and I'm not in any secret cabals. At least I hope I'm not. If I am I've missed a lot of meetings.
As for a typical week, I work full time as a graphic designer, it's been keeping me pretty busy the last few years but try and find time for a bit of illustration work for myself when I can. I love movies, hiking, a bit of pub trivia but most of all I love to travel. Right now I'm enjoying a bit more stability after being a bit of a digital nomad since back before it was even really called that.
I don't know what the attendance policy is for the Cabal so it's possible you're still in good standing. I'm actually more interested in the other stuff though.
The digital nomading… was it more freelance work or more bouncing between companies? And is it a career style you'd recommend or are you more comfortable with something that doesn't involve so much transition?
I was lucky enough to keep working remotely for a design agency here in Australia so didn't have to try and hunt down work.
I loved that it gave me the freedom to keep moving around as much as I wanted but there were times that it also got tiring not having a permanent base. I'm happy to be a bit more settled at the moment and there's still plenty of places on my to-do list but I might stick to shorter trips in future. Not too short though.
So what is it about the permanent base that you're enjoying so much? Does it help to have a more structured environment or to bounce design ideas off of peers? Having experienced the flexibility of fully remote work life I imagine it's tough to make the transition at first.
I definitely resisted going back into an office and regular routine for a long time but I'm really enjoying it now. That's mostly down to the team I work with - we've all become good friends and collaborate really well together so I genuinely enjoy heading into the office now. But I do also jump at the chance to go out on photo shoots whenever the opportunity comes up and get some time away from my computer.
The office camaraderie is definitely hard to replace without… an office. I get the impression that your approach is different than many others though. Correct me if I'm wrong but you seem like much more of an analog thinker than a digital one.
How do most of your projects originate? Are they derived from your photography? First worked out in a sketchbook? There's been such an infusion of AI into the space recently but I don't picture you as using it to gain inspiration or refine execution. How do you feel about the industry's increasing usage of AI overall?
I would say you're definitely on the mark there. I did start out drawing and painting so I think that mindset has really shaped how I work digitally now. Most of my work is absolutely inspired by my travels and I do use my own photography for reference. I usually develop my ideas digitally with a tablet and stylus but there are still times when you just have to sit down and work it out on paper.
As for AI, I think it's safe to say I am definitely not a fan. There are places where it's useful, for cleaning up photos and simplifying tedious tasks which I am fine with. But I think the whole intent behind generative AI is to give people a result without actually requiring much creativity or skill when... isn't that the entire point of why we create stuff? You need to go through the process of trial and error to learn how to solve problems, how to improve things and if all you've done is ask a computer to make an image on your behalf why would anyone be particularly interested or impressed by that? If you do a Google image search and find some great photos that doesn't make you a photographer.
So yeah, I've got some thoughts on AI and could probably go on a bit longer but basically I enjoy creating. It's not something I need taken away from me or some problem that needs to be fixed.
I think you said it perfectly. What's the point of creating if there's no creativity? I'm certain that will be a prompt realization for clients as we move forward in the AI era. There's an immense amount of value in original, well-crafted design work.
Before I let you out of here, I have to know a bit more about your inspiration though. Have any cultures dramatically impacted your process? You've been to so many amazing places. I imagine you've picked up some influences along the way. Any favorites or least favorites? Locations you highly recommend for folks looking to further develop their skills?
That's an interesting one actually. I obviously use the landscapes and locations as subjects for my work and being exposed to other cultures and languages absolutely makes you more open minded. I love being around other cultures and some of my favorite places are the ones which feel the most different to my everyday life - Asia, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Same with landscapes, I live near the coast so it's the mountains and deserts I find the most appealing so my favorite spots would have to be Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, the Southwest US and Australian outback.
I definitely think visiting all these places has had a huge effect on the way I think and view the world but I'm not sure I could easily identify a way it's directly influenced my artwork. If anything I think the artists I like the most do come from all over the world, but all take a similar approach of capturing the character of a place in a very simplified, stylized way and that's something which really appeals to me. It's probably part of what I do for a living in graphic design too, trying to break down information and communicate it simply and effectively.
Honestly when it comes to recommending places to travel all I'd say is just go. Everywhere is interesting in it's own way, even if some places will effect you more there's very few places I regret visiting.
I think that's what appeals to everyone about your designs. Keeping it simple and capturing character separates your work from the crowd. Whatever the inspiration is, definitely keep it up!
We covered most of the bases but there's one subject we didn't get to yet… your love of movies. It's Oscar season and the people need your cinema takes. Let's give 'em what they want with a lightning round wrap up:
- What movie has had the biggest affect on your work?
- What is the worst Best Picture winner of all time?
- What was the best movie you saw last year?
Thank you, that's really nice to hear! As for the movies...
- The first thing that came to mind wasn't a single movie but Disney animation probably had the biggest influence on me, especially as a teenager when I was really starting out as an artist. If I had to narrow it down to one movie of theirs I'd say The Lion King, it's still a favorite of mine.
- I couldn't think of one myself but it seems the internet agrees that Crash didn't deserve the win. And the internet would never lie to me. Surely.
- Dune Part Two. It immediately became one of my favorite films ever.
Thanks so much for chatting with us Wayne! Can't wait to see photos from your next adventure. Keep up the awesome work!