FeedMeCoolShit.com » Rutger van der Zee

Rutger van der Zee

This time, we’d like to introduce Rutger van der Zee, Dutch born and raised graphic designer. His recent work lead him into the snowboard industry, after one year working on the same project, he’s on the way to move on…

Site: www.iziuzi.nl

FMCS: Hi Rutger, where are you from and where are you based at the moment?

I was born 21 years ago in a medium sized town in Holland, but grew up in the Amsterdam area. After spending two winter seasons in Austria, I moved there about a year ago.

Now I live in Tyrol, about 5 minutes walking from the gondola of the local snowboard resort.

FMCS: How come you dedicated your professional career to art?

Well, I’ve always been really into design, art, photography and movies. I thought it must be great to create something that other people enjoy.

During the years I started to do more and more creative things, everything from photography and designing “homepages” to video projects.

After school I slowly figured out that this is what I wanted to do, I quit university and started trying to make a living as a designer.

FMCS: Tell us a little bit more with what kind of things you kill your daytime…

I don’t have a really strict day structure. Depending on how much work I have to do, I spend a various amount of time on: Drinking coffee, checking my favourite websites, answering/writing e-mails, reading and working on projects of course.

FMCS: 5 sites you dig…

Pixel Surgeon
YouTube
Lounge72
Wikipedia
Ideasonideas

FMCS: Describe your working process in a few words

A few words, that’s hard. It depends on the job, but I usually start with getting to know as much as possible about the job at hand.

Then I start sketching or go straight into Photoshop/Illustrator if I already have an idea in my head.

I play around with it for a while and show the client my ideas. After getting feedback, I tune the designs until I think they are finished.

FMCS: What inspires you most?

I think people… I get tons of ideas talking with interesting driven people. Although I live in Tyrol, the energy of a big city also inspires me on a more abstract level.

I haven’t really figured the perfect place to live, yet.

FMCS: What do you think is the biggest success an artist can have?

For me, it would be a person that truly enjoys something that I designed.

Since that is pretty hard for me to find out, people choosing or buying something that I designed is a great rewarding feeling too.

FMCS: Who are your favourite artists (all kind)?

Lots of different bands, Andy Mueller, Spike Jonze, Andy Howell, JulesDavid, Andy Warhol, Thomas Shostok, Ill designers and many more.

FMCS: How do you think they have influenced your creative output?
That’s hard for me to tell, some just amazed me, some motivated me and some have a great style.

I think my work is influenced by anything I see, hear and experience.

FMCS: What keeps you rolling besides work?

Well, next Saturday I’m off to Bali to surf for three weeks. I also try to snowboard a lot.

That might seem easy if you live five minutes walking from the gondola, but I was really busy last winter and didn’t have a lot of time during daytime.