Interviewing: TheHeraEra

What is your name?

As you probably already know, my name's Hera! :)

Examples of your work:

Why did you join wattpad?

I was watching a YouTube video, and it was one of those monthly favorites ones. They were talking about books, and in particular, they discussed a book from Wattpad. You've probably heard of it -- it was called It All Started With An Apple. Still is one of my favorite books from this site. But anyway, I was intrigued. So I made a fake account under the name of @/avidreader211 and I would just read on that account. When I turned 13 (yes, I was an illegal Wattpadder, oops), I made a ~real~ account, which is the account I have today. I joined because while I loved reading, I also wanted to share writing with others too. Little did I know that designing was going to be one of my main features, but oh well. XD

How long have you been making graphics for?

As of May 2017, about 11 months.

How did you get into graphic designing? [possibly put an example of one of your earlier covers]

As I mentioned, around August 2015 I took a class on Photoshop and Illustrator. I'm so grateful for that experience because I learned my way around Photoshop, and without it, it would have taken me forever how to even work the tools or create a new document. I also used to make "edits" and collages for people on QuizUp around May of 2016 (if you know what that is, we can be friends). 

As for Wattpad, I read a lot of tutorial books and would try out a bunch of techniques. I moved on from PicMonkey to Pixlr, and I would enter in contests and competitions. Here are a couple of covers from that phase:

HUNNGHGHNG. What was I thinking? But in August, I opened up my graphic shop, and one thing led to another, and here I am!

Wow, that was long.

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

I make covers, mostly. But I do meddle with icons, image threads, and picspams. I'm looking to expand into banners, though. And as I mentioned, I used to make edits.

What is your favourite part of graphic making?

Well, I love many parts of graphic making, but the best part would probably be trying out a new technique and actually having it look good. For example, I enjoy trying out a new style, or doing something interesting with the text. Small things like that really boost my motivation and keep things fresh and interesting.

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

Earlier today, I made a cover that took me 20 minutes. But sometimes, I start a graphic and don't finish for a couple of days, if I'm in a really bad graphic slump. Mostly though, I'd say an hour.

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

I use Pixlr a lot because it's most convenient, but when I decide to get off my butt and use the home computer I use Photoshop CS6.

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

Wow, that's a tough one because so many people inspire me. I admired everyone in @/GraphicSociety even before I joined, especially jakepatt , nightgate and supernovass . But the biggest inspiration to me at the time was @FabulouslyImpxrfect. I don't think she's active anymore but she really encouraged me to keep going with graphics from the start, and her contest was the first I participated in. There are so many other people that inspire me, too many to count, but I appreciate them all.
Oh, and I get a lot of inspiration just scrolling through graphic shops and the MDC.

Do you have any tips for aspiring graphic designers?

I just want everyone to know that we all started at the same place you are. People will do hurtful things and try to bring you down, but I tell you to never lose your motivation. You will improve. That's just how it works.

This was so much fun, thanks for letting me be here! Haha, it's almost like I didn't interview myself or anything. Byyyeee!

- Hera