FMCS: Occupation?
Damien: Freelance graphic designer co-founder of Incog Design Büro in 2006 with Nicolas André (aka le Neopen).
FMCS: Home town?
Damien: A little town in the Pyrenean Mountains, southern France
FMCS: Where are you now?
Damien: I live and work in Toulouse
FMCS: Age?
Damien: About to turn 25
FMCS: Hobby?
Damien: Besides all creative activities like painting, drawing and so I like snowboarding a lot, and mixing electro. Also I am good at cooking!
FMCS: How would you describe your style?
Damien: Something like “Hip Hop and Glam.” Any kind of opposition like that!

FMCS: Tell us Damien, what is your favorite ‘object’ to illustrate, paint, draw, transform?

Damien: I’d like to answer pretty girls, but it appears that dumb looking animals inspire me the most… Such a drama, hope that will change shortly.

FMCS: But those animals are very cute, why abandon them? And what is the problem with drawing girls anyway?

Damien: I’m sick of dumb animals! I just want to draw pretty girls! Ha ha! I made a few visuals with portraits, and so and I liked it very much. But I do like beginning with a photo, and I don’t have any good models so I draw cats and bears!

FMCS: What are your influences? You said “hip hop and glam,” which is a nice and quite intensive mix, but your animals look a little bit Japanese don’t you think? Maybe not hello kitty style, but they have this hard looking ‘Sailor moon’ style (remember that cartoon?)

Damien: My inspiration really comes from everywhere and everyone; I’m very sensitive to movies, music and everything happening in the graphic scene today.

A lot of people told me lately that I must be influenced by Japanese animation… the thing is I’m really not a big fan of it! Just watched a few common things back in the days when I was young, but I’m not into Manga anymore… So if there’s a Japanese influence, it might be subconscious…but yeah, when I’m told that, I can’t really deny, there’s something in the expressions, faces… I guess I like the way cartoonists and Mangakas sum up various face expressions.

FMCS: We started our previous FMCS text about you with an opinion about French design. I’m really curious what you think about French design scene, and if you can tell us if your style is somehow connected to a French design tradition. What is the French style anyway? Is there any graphic French touch? (Just teasing).

Damien: I know for sure that French design scene is very rich, but I don’t think I could really define a “French touch” because the thing I especially like is that every single artist / designer has developed their own world of shapes and colors. “Is there such a thing as a French style?” If variety, eclectism, and diversity as a main motivation can define a style, maybe there is!

FMCS: You’ve got a Myspace profile, a few websites running , and you do exhibit in real life galleries too. What do you prefer - the internet, or old paper printing, canvas painting with brushes or aerosol like wall painting?

Damien: I prefer displaying my works in a real gallery of course; I think I’m becoming an exhibition addict! I like the contact with new people a lot, it’s very inspiring and motivating, and each time I take part in an exhibition, I end up drawing everywhere with my markers!

I’m always so glad to see my works (personal and professionals) printed, like posters in town, ads in magazines… websites, folios, internet galleries or real life places, it all sums up to the same idea: visibility.

When it comes to painting I’m more comfortable with brushes, but I’d love to improve my style with spray paint because I think each new tool you use allows you to develop and adapt your aesthetics to new gestures, new attitudes… I guess spray can painting will be one of the next steps in my evolution.

FMCS: Where’s this whole illustration/graphic art going to, from your point of view?

Damien: Developing new ways of internet graphic design, or adopting some real living space, like Banksy does for example. Or the third way - galleries and museums - which are on the defensive now.

I think we are all going in the three directions at the same time, and maybe that’s the more healthy way to deal with the problem! Now that I have worked a lot on computer approach, I’m starting new canvases with new attitudes and I’ll soon be back in the streets!

FMCS: I already asked you about your influences, but now - do you have any favorite artists?

Damien: So you want names huh? Ok in one hand, and on top of the list I have this dream team. Might be a basketball team, cuz they are 5 (individual or studios): Jeff Soto, Rexbox, Build, Friends with you, Psyop.

In the other hand, I love my big outsider’s team, closer friends who inspire me day after day: Pierre Vanni, Neopen, Bastardgraphics, Vince Maunier, Ligakun, Meda and Cheeky at Poana, IlK, and many, many more…

FMCS: Do you have any motto or a favorite text?

Damien: Oh hum! Tough one that… not sure… let me think about my fav movies…”Don’t worry Donnie… these men are nihilists, there is nothing to be afraid of!”

FMCS: What are the artistic intentions within your work? Any message you want to transport through your animals?

Damien: Kissing is sweet, and donuts are tasty? Yeah that’s a good artistic message I guess!

FMCS: What are your plans for future?

Damien: Nothing in particular, I just want to keep on enjoying my work and everyday life, I have a ton of upcoming amazing projects so everything is cool so far. Just wish me a little luck so every plan and opportunity I found recently will become true.

FMCS: So, thanks Damien! Fingers crossed for all your projects.

www.incog.fr
www.damienvignaux.com
www.myspace.com/elroy_vj
www.incogburo.deviantart.com

Current exhibitions:
“Les picturalistes” gallery in Lyon
“Aimecube” gallery in Paris, for the Murone collective custom project
“L’ambassade” club n Toulouse

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