I am self-taught and I couldn't get into school, but I've made it, it's totally possible. Although I believe schools are the shorter way to learn and get into the market.

Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

I am Adhemas Batista and I've been in the business of selling colors (That's how I like to say) since the age of fifteen. Born in Sao Paulo City, Brazil, I am a self-taught digital artist living in Los Angeles building progressively Magenta (www.magenta.la), my studio. 

On my work I bring colorful and distinctive illustrative style, passionate for image making. I've worked for advertising agencies, design studios and interactive shops around the world and I've developed skills in creative and art direction, illustration, interactive, photo manipulation and photography (My newest passion).

What do you do for inspiration?

Besides books, mags and internet as main source, I love movies, as I use 2 displays, then It's easy to catch me watching movies on one screen whilst I am working on another, as well always browsing youtube, specially things about science, religion, culture and universe wonders, not usually design related. I love brazilian culture and as a soccer lover, I like to metaphor with this theme, so I believe I am like a soccer player, as long I've being training and doing my (mind) exercises I should play and fulfill the expectations.

Having a recognizable name is a big achievement, I am grateful for that, but even bigger is to have built a family, that's a huge achievement, plus bring this family to another country and give good life conditions for them (besides the adventure), it was even more remarkable. I believe that will be the story I'll be telling to my grandchildren in the future.

How many hours do you work each week?

I am a workaholic and I am not proud of it, I have kids and I should find more time for them (Besides they're close all day long). It just feels I am always working.

How do you relax or unwind?

Love to go to cinema and watch blockbuster movies, specially huge IMAX 3D screens.

If you weren't working on the internet what would you be doing?

I've thought of that, and I never found a proper answer, I am no use. No body coordination to do anything besides sitting on a chair and working with a computer.

What's your favourite part of your job? What's the hardest part of your job? What do you do when you get stuck?

Favorite part is the beginning, the excitement of starting something new, a new project is always time to start-over. The hardest is the back and forth of information and revisions.

If I get stuck, I go out, leave my table and do something else, it doesn't worth to stay on the front of the computer when you can't solve what you're doing. Mind also needs to breath.

What's the longest you've ever stayed up working on a project?

3 days straight (no kidding), stops for feeding and littles rests on the couch. Before you think, yeah I took showers.

If there are any pivotal experiences/decisions you could point to that helped shape your career, what would they be?

Introducing illustration to my work, it was crucial, at this point I found my path.

What software could you not live without?

Illustrator and Photoshop.

Who is your target audience?

Creative People, creative buyers. I target myself and my studio for people who dares to use creativity and loves good crafted visual work.

Has winning FWA awards helped you in any way?

Yes, it brought me lots of business opportunities. Not sucking up, just true.

What did your very first site look like? Is it still online?

14 years ago, It was only 4 beveled buttons and a 3d logo made with Corel 3D in the middle of the page coded with Frontpage. Thank god its not online anymore. 

Have you written any books, if not do you plan to?

I am working slowly on a personal art book, I've made a big photo-shooting myself within 10 models last year and I have a bunch of photos, so now I need myself time to work on them, I am hoping to be able to finish this year.

I am former interactive, but it has being a while since I made only interactive. Now everybody needs to work with everything, all mediums;  so this is good, it's much more fun when you get to create the whole thing, besides I haven't pulled out an integrated campaign yet.

Looking 10 years in to the future, how far can websites go?

I hope to be retired before that (laughs), jokes apart, maybe it'll not be websites anymore?

Long time ago, on flash 4 I guess, I animated 6 minutes video for a CD-Room presentation, I didn't know how to use After Effects, it was a pain to integrate with sound and I spent 3 weeks on it. Not online though.

Do you think Flash is here to stay?

I hope so, cuz I don't want to change my personal website so soon ( lol ). Yeah I believe it'll be here for a big while despite this tsunami of hybrid websites, its a bit disappointing for me to see some companies whom creates awesome flash websites using hybrid portfolios, it just feels contradictory. 

What are your views on design/graphic school. Do you think someone can get into the field without educational experience in a school environment?

I am self-taught and I couldn't get into school, but I've made it, it's totally possible. Although I believe schools are the shorter way to learn and get into the market.

Any parting shots or pearls of wisdom?

I've said this phrase last year on Chile in my lecture at the Sudala Design Conference; - Be sure that you have a big creative monster inside yourself trying to blow your mind and paint the world with your creativity.

It has been a privilege, thanks very much

My pleasure. Thank you! 

Adhemas Batista
Magenta