This week we find out more about Hitesh Chheda, the motion graphics designer for The Big Idea's 10 year celebration video.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

It would normally be in the morning between 8am to 1pm.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Clean and minimalist style.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

The best thing I like about my creative practice is that there are always new challenges in various projects and you learn new things everyday, new things within my field and outside.

How does your environment affect your work?

My environment is very important for the work I produce. I always keep my environment pleasant and lively by putting some good music on or I go for a stroll in the park or go to a nice cafe if I am trying to come up with some ideas.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

Looking at the big picture or long term thinking has always helped me going through any situation within my work or life other than work.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Go for an extra mile if the job requires you to and always keep good rapport with every client no matter how bad the experience.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

I had worked on the short film PITO, directed by Mark Summerville from Zoomslide. It was an amazing opportunity to do onset vfx supervision and compositing for a short film which was the opening act of the famous NZ dance show Tama Ma. Another challenging and most satisfactory project was doing vfx supervision and motion graphics for stylistic training video for a fuel giant, again done in Zoomslide.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

Recently I read an article about Japanese architect Shigeru Ban who is building the temporary ‘cardboard cathedral’ in Christchurch. His thoughts are very inspiring. Also my friend ‘Bombay Duck Designs’ from Mumbai and his initiative to launch 100% Zine in India is also very inspiring.

Tell us a bit about your background.

I was working in a production company in Mumbai, called Thatzit Production, doing all sorts of work – 3D animation, broadcast graphics and other motion graphics work, until when I decided to go overseas to gain more experience in my field. I came to NZ in 2006 to do advance course in Motion Graphics and VFX and after finishing the course I got a full time job as a Motion Graphics designer at lovely place in Auckland called Zoomslide. I worked there for 3 years and then I decided to go freelance, still doing some work at Zoomslide every now and then and also with few other companies in Auckland.

Tell us a bit about the production of The Big Idea’s 10 year video?

Lisa Bates on behalf of The Big Idea came to Zoomslide with this project to make the 10 year celebration video. Lisa and I had already done one project for Q Theatre through Zoomslide, so we were aware of each others working style. Once we had locked down what imagery to go with the music and the words, I came up with the graphics style which will set the mood for the video.

These kind of projects seem small at the beginning but have the potential to become much bigger. How do you keep engaged and motivated as projects change?

As The Big Idea is the country’s most valuable resource for the arts culture, I always felt that this project has much more potential then it seems. And also Lisa’s timely assurance helped me to keep going.

What other film or moving image projects are you working on?

Besides the normal paid work I am working on couple of ideas for motion graphics/ vfx shortfilm. It is still in conceptualizing stage.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

Sound Designer

What place is always with you, wherever you go?

Mumbai

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

Local radio stations, because they spend most part of their day looking for new and fresh music.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

Windmill.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Have a nap!

What’s your big idea for 2012?

Getting away from the computer and doing some hand crafted work, stop motion may be!

* * * The Big Idea 10th Birthday Questions * * *

What does The Big Idea mean to you?

The Big Idea is very helpful for any aspiring artist or creative person to find out the current art trends and events in the country and its an amazing platform for an artist for a kick-start in their career.

What changes have you noticed in Motion Graphics in the past 10 years?

I have been living in NZ since last five years, so during this period I think the motion graphics sector has grown a lot. Most of the ads on TV and also heaps of web content has some kind of motion graphics element to it and the aesthetics has also shifted from raw and quirky style to more European sophisticated and sleek.

What are some of the opportunities and challenges for the next decade?

Collaborations with artists from different segments in the industry and opening my own setup to do more fun stuff that I want to do.

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