classic and contemporary cinema fuels a wealth of inspiration for me as a designer. i look to innovators such as alfred hitchcock, wong kar-wai, orson welles, francois truffaut, jean-luc godard, louis malle (and the rest of the nouvelle vague) as the epitome of forward-thinking artists. their ground-breaking approach to film is a source constant inspiration and reflection. often times their collaborations with designers (such as hitchcock's work with saul bass) or their choice of composer (such as hitchock and bernard herrmann or malle and miles davis) are vital to the success of their finished work. knowing who to work with and when plays a huge role in their art. i absorb semiotic and typographic aesthetics from such innovators and often incorporate and translate such ideas from their medium to mine. i simultaneously look to the past while creating the future. music is another huge influence on my design process and overall aesthetic. it often comes in the form of an innovative and striking cd booklet, or the aural power of the music itself. recently, the freedom, expression, and individuality of bebop jazz has been particularly insightful and inspirational in designing new pieces. artists such as art blakey, thelonious monk, john coltrane, & charles mingus are in constant rotation. however, musical inspiration and appreciation runs the gamut from jazz to death metal, or from mambo to hip hop. i have a very eclectic taste and am always on the hunt for something new. ultimately, my approach to print design also has to lead back to graphic designers themselves. jan tschichold, saul bass, and the bauhaus institute have always been cornerstones in my attitude towards design. their use of color, negative space, restraint, and functionality are all prerequisites to successful user-centric design. they were able to visually innovate through minimalism, while delivering functional works of art that informed the viewer with maximum impact. magazines such as metropolis, GQ, and wallpaper keep me inspired and informed on contemporary fashions, concepts, and techniques. whether the inspiration is from a jump-cut, a trumpet solo, a fresco or a screen print: it's the end result that matters.