Interview: Jenny Hang

     I interviewed Jenny Hang from Mason Gross who has a concentration in Graphic Design.  I looked over her digital and mixed-media works and asked a few questions concerning her inspiration, subject matter and possible ideas for thesis.  She has created art in numerous mediums and hopes to continue and further her mixed-media approach to art.

Linley: What is your concentration at Mason Gross?

Jenny: Graphic Design.

Linley: Has your concentration always been this? If not, what was it before?

Jenny: Yup!

Linley: You seem to have a good feel for a medium I am not at all familiar with- Computer/Digital art.  How did this become your artistic niche?

Jenny: Ever since I was young I always looked at things from a design perspective.  Every time I go shopping, I see things that catch my eye and I always wonder, "How did they make that"?  So when I was exposed to the computer/digital world, I really fell in love with creating fun and cute images and personal websites around my middle school year.

Linley: What kind of classes have you taken outside of the digital realm ie: painting/drawing?

Jenny: I took almost every kind of art possible either at Mason Gross or during High School, such as ceramics, sculpture, paper making, graphic design, drawing, painting, photography and currently video.  I feel like art should be versatile so in order to see what is your strongest and weakest points.

Linley: Did these classes help further develop or change your more digital pieces?

Jenny: Sure, I think it definitely helps me develop a versatile eye for design.  By experiencing so many different mediums I can get an idea of how to incorporate and display different styles and mediums together.

Linley: What artists do you look at most?  To what degree do these artists influence the outcome of your pieces?

Jenny: I know it sounds bad but I don't have a specific artist that I look at.  Since I didn't have a strong art history background when I was younger, my inspirations came off of other designers in forums.  I taught myself through the internet and tutorials to learn different programs.  I would say that pop culture influences my work the most.

Linley: Have you ever thought to deviate from your attention to exactness in order to create a piece not like anything you have ever produced before?

Jenny: No, not really.  I like to attract viewers by visual appeal first.  If it doesn't look pretty or interesting then people wouldn't look at it.  The design world is competitive so in order to attract the audience I feel like I have to make it coherent.  I'm not sure how to "let go" and make something that's totally not "in control" but I know I should.

Linley: Do any of your previous pieces point you in a direction for what you would like to do with thesis this year?  If so, what underlying theme or idea would your idea be based upon?

Jenny: I want to make a progress book of my work but with a twist in the end?  I'm not completely sure but I do want to keep it in a digital/print realm.  Maybe add some other mediums in there as well.

Linley: You seem really immersed in the "commercial" aspect of art.  Are you interested in sending a message to your viewers?  Is it something you find important?

Jenny: Graphic Design, to me, is about commercial advertising- I do want to send a message to viewers through visual art by conveying the information of subject through words and pictures.

Linley: Would you ever consider creating more figurative work?

Jenny: I do some abstract work but not for school.  I have paintings and other craft projects I do in my free time outside of Mason Gross.

Linley: I noticed you say in your "artist statement" that you like to work fast.  Have you ever tried to challenge yourself and work at a slower pace to see what the outcome would be?

Jenny: I'm not sure how "slow" you are talking about but the more time I spend drawing, the more detailed my work gets.

Linley: It seems you have a passion for vibrant colors.  Does this have a lot to do with catching the eye of your viewer or is it more of a personal preference?  Is it a fusion of both?

Jenny: Both.  I like the bright colors and they make me happy.  Color is extremely important in my work.

My Thoughts: As a painter, I found it very interesting and eye opening to interview someone with a concentration so opposite of mine.  During this interview, I was able to get raw details about Jenny's art that she may not have been previously aware of. Jenny's serious approach to mixed-media, bright color and attention to detail is something I could even consider utilizing in my own work.