Interviewing: BonitaRogue

What is your name?

I don't feel comfortable telling people my real name but please just call me Ella. It's part of my nickname. 

Examples of your work: 

Why did you join wattpad?

I join wattpad because I love reading. I just got annoyed when I have to bring a thick book just for me to read inside the bus. I really enjoy reading werewolf or romance. 

How long have you been making graphics for?

I've been making graphics for one year? yeah, most likely one year.  

How did you get into graphic designing?

my interest in graphic designing was created when I had to design a poster for a team project. I have no background in graphic design whatsoever. My teammates chose me to design a poster to advertise jewellery, I actually enjoyed creating the poster despite me initially hating the idea of graphic design. During my presentation, I had gotten pleasant remarks on the poster and those comments from my teachers and friends made me want to know and do more on graphic designing. Since then, I have be practising and trying to improve myself. 

my very first few covers that I made for someone:

I used Pixlr.com for this cover.   

What type of graphics do you make, and which do you prefer?

currently, I have an account on wattpad where I take request from people who want a book cover for the stories that they wrote. I also do wallpaper covers (mostly marvel related) for laptops. I prefer doing requests from people who want book covers because I can explore different types of graphics that the clients has specially requested.

What is your favourite part of graphic making?

my favourite part is when I have to include the author's special requests. It is my favourite as I try to visualize the author's idea because they have an image in their heads and have to match my edit as close as possible to what they want.

How long does it usually take you to make a graphic?

if I am focussed, I will take 20-30 mins to complete a cover. However, some days I lack inspiration which increases the length at which I will take to complete a cover, probably 1-2 days. During that period of time, i go on Tumblr / we heart it to find inspiration in order to complete the edit.

What program(s) do you use for making your graphics?

I use photoshop CS6 to make my graphics. 

Where do you get your inspiration from/who inspires you?

I get inspiration from Deviantart. When I'm stuck with what font to use, what PSD colouring suit the most or whatever, I'll just go to Deviantart.  

People that inspire me the most are NIGHTGATE, NARWHELLY, and RUROGRIME. 

Do you have any tips for aspiring graphic designers? 

1. Be Creative

I think the main thing is to have a sense of creativity.  If you're having a brainfart, I suggest you go to Deviantart for inspirations. If you watch "wattpad covers" on youtube, do not follow exactly what they do, change it a little bit and be creative. 

2. Learn Your Stuff

I find the best way to learn Photoshop is to just start playing around with it. Create a new document and test out all of the tools. Import a photo and try to add some effects to it. Do a search on YouTube for a tutorial and learn from it.  get your fonts at dafont.com, get your brushes at Deviantart. 

3. Find Your Style And Keep At It

As you learn you will start to develop your own style. This could be what sets you apart from other designers. 

(my mentor always say this to me when he finds out about my graphic design.) 

anyway, that's all. so goodluck :)