- An feature with Christian Walden
- About Christian Walden:
- I like ideas and concepts, structure and order, chaos and coincidence, and what those things do to and in my mind; Finding ways to bring them back out of my head and onto the paper in front of me. Whatever media, finding solutions is what inspires me in my professional work. And finding parts of me, more questions, some leads and ideas is what makes me continue my personal projects.
- Age:
- 25
- Location:
- London, UK
- URL:
- Visit Christian Walden's site
MONARKH would like to thank Christian Walden for this feature. All work featured in this interview is copyrighted by Christian Walden. MONARKH has written permission from Christian Walden to use the selected pieces for this feature.
You may NOT copy or redistribute any of images within this feature without the written permission from Christian Walden. For more information please contact: Christian Walden
Interviewed by: Tony for MONARKH magazine on the 15/10/2008
1) How did you first get into design?
I came from a heavy coding influenced background, back when the WWW was just beginning to happen for a wider audience. The necessity for visual representation got me started, and I guess from there it went on. Then print came into my life, more and more illustration work, branding and motion work, and then it started to loop and overlap.
2) How you would best describe your work?
Trying to find solutions for users, communicating ideas in visuals and structure. At least for the professional side of my work. For my personal and exhibition work its most of the time surrounding subjects and ideas that seem to have gotten stuck in my mind, then I’ll try to work my head around them. The outcome mostly is an image/ object/ work of some kind.
3) What inspires you the most?
Reality and life works quite good for me. Can’t reduce it to anything specific. Like it has been said so often, the little things kick off the most interesting trains of thought, especially when you notice relations where you didn’t suspect them.
4) How do you normally start work on a project?
Look at the problem, and if there doesn’t seem to be one, look closer, once found - find a good solution. Find a structure and a visual language that suits and work clean and precise. This might sound quite restrictive, but it really isn’t. For completely open projects I’ll refer to my approach of working off the stuff that has been bouncing around in my head. Meaning taking the mostly more abstract ideas and finding interesting points/ angles to start using them.
5) On average, how many hours a week do you spend on design?
Too many / not enough. Depending on when you ask.
6) What style music do you listen to when you work?
Most of the time, none.
7) Who do you admire the most and why?
People with clear focus and aim, and of course people without any.
8) Favorite website(s)?
N/A
9) Any words of wisdom you would like to share with us?
Do something that makes you smile, not only when you go to sleep, but also when you wake up.