Mania Carta

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mania Carta ("MC") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

MC : I have more than 20 years of design experience in the industry, I enrolled first in the department of the University of Science but thought that it didn't suit me, dropped out and re-entered the graphic design department of a School of art. I learned there for 4 years. After purchasing a personal computer, I learned how to use CG tools my really first 3d software was 3D max from there I started to develop my skills in CG graphics then after I move to study 2D/3D animation and with the skill I had I jumped two years and get my diploma with an excellent score in 1 year only

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

MC : My passion to art, games and animation make me become a designer

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

MC : I choose to become a designer for the passion I have for fantasy characters and especially witches.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

MC : I focus mainly on creating life-like portraits for characters, but I also focus on creatures, environments, and character animation.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

MC : To be honest I still can't call myself a legend I still have a lot to learn even with everything I have achieved I am looking for more challenges and new unique styles to bring to the world, so for any young designers who want to succeed in their design careers. Have passion first and learn from master's, understand their techniques but take that knowledge and apply it in your own work, work very hard, and never ever Give Up.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

MC : In my opinion, a good designer is someone who makes something that really exists, and people see it many times but a great designer is someone who can take that good design as a first step then mix it, combine it with other elements that it's not related to the design he making, and bring something unique that no one was thinking of. It's like making a Lego and in my opinion, it's the way to make a really great design.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

MC : You can evaluate a good design when it's original and has never been seen before but also the way it was made and created is also important. The touch, style, lighting, compositing, and how it was integrated it can be digital art or cinematic game art. The thing it attracts more looks to a design can be character, environment, and gadgets is when the whole package is merged together to make the final piece, everything is linked, and when you have such thing the design will show by it self.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

MC : Making a good design will help you boost your productivity and your career in the future because the world is always looking for originality something has never been seen or done before and when you invest in that then many doors will open after.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

MC : With my experiences and the skills I gained learning many tools and techniques and developing my own style, if I will have time I will design for big fashion industries, Automotive companies in the World, such as Gucci, Prada, Nike, Lamborghini, ect

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

MC : Making video game, but this dream is no more a dream as I am on my way to achieve it soon.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

MC : I really don't have any secrets, the only secret I have is my passion for what I want to make. Since I was a child I always like fantasy stories such as dragons, witches, demon hunters, etc But I wasn't skilled enough to achieve what I enjoyed the most now after I gained a lot of experiences and many high-quality skills I decided to create everything that I saw in my childhood from Japanese animation, games, etc

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

MC : They are many designers I got inspired by and I respect the most but once I was very mesmerized by Tetsuya Nomura character designer of Final Fantasy then Hyung-Tae Kim the creator of Magna Carta two designs influenced me a lot to learn why their design look beautiful and unique, then once I learn to work in the CG industry I learned that what I was influenced by will take me to something I never imagined I will be and this is where my real adventure starts.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

MC : It's very hard to mention all designers as in our world they are so many talents but the most I like and respect is Mr Akira Toriyama the creator of Dragon Ball, and the way he brings his story and characters to the World only geniuses can do, I also like Tetsuya Nomura's works of Final Fantasy and Kingdom Heart's touch and style are beautiful and even his sketch art has soul in it. As I mentioned before I like Hyung-Tae Kim the way he designs the clothes for his characters and how he put accessories to them is beautiful and unique.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

MC : This is very hard to answer as they are many great designs and it's really hard to compare which one is the greatest. For me, a great design is when you put soul into it and make something unique and will start as a touch for future generations to learn from it.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

MC : If you want to become a good designer and want you to improve your skills, learn from others masters designers artists, respect them and never compare your self to them, after you gain experiences and learn from them, don't copy them take that knowledge you gained and make your own identity, and identity that few people have in the World this where you can be a better designer.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

MC : I will still work in the art industry because everything else I have failed, I have never liked a school and what they teach and i want to find something that make me dream and imagine.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

MC : Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular goal.” Meanwhile, the meaning of design depends on the context and can also mean a variety of other things. Design is the creation of an experience.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

MC : Learning from other master's artists, and challenging myself daily helped me achieve these heights. My parents were my big supporters when they saw me draw Majin Vegeta when I had 5 years old, I wish they were still alive so they can be proud of me but even with the lost it give me more strength to challenge myself every day.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MC : The loss of my parents make me what I am now but also when my mother bought me my first PC, I was convinced that I would use it for designing and making art in the future. After that, I learned by myself computer works and how to use various software and tools.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

MC : In life, if you want to succeed you must face obstacles and they can come very hard so you can choose between giving up or stand up and smash it before achieving your goal, In my life, i face so many rejections due to my skills

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

MC : When you want to present something, make it unique something was never been seen before but also create different shots of it, make a story from it, and create a message to tell the viewers what is about and why.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

MC : First I would like to thank you for the Golden Award received for Luna the Night Witch, I wasn't expect such award as I was thinking it will only be a bronze award. My next design project I aiming this time is something I always wanted to achieve since I gained many skills and experiences, now with the things I have i will do all my best and put my heart and soul into it to bring it to the World.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

MC : My goal as a designer is to keep my touch and style as a symbol of creativity in the World for future designers.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

MC : I am a designer who is passionate about facing challenges every day no matter hard are they, so as an artist, I always focus on bringing a unique style and originality to character arts but with the technology and tools we have in our hands I will bring all the characters I made up till now to a hole new level.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MC : The design has the power to shape the way we interact with and experience the world around us. When thoughtful and intentional design principles are applied to everything from buildings to products to digital interfaces, it can make a positive impact on society. For example, a well-designed public space can encourage community engagement and foster a sense of belonging, while a user-friendly app can empower people to access important information or services. Design can also address social and environmental issues by creating solutions that are accessible, sustainable, and equitable. Overall, the design that prioritizes the needs of individuals and communities can lead to a better society for all.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

MC : I am making a dark RPG game related to light and darkness, witches, dragons, demon hunters, ect

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

MC : Luna Lankastar the one I won the golden award, because of this mysterious character even if I want to try to reproduce it again I can't, I still of course have all the master data of her for every project but if I want to make something with that beautiful and mystery look I don't know if I can reproduce her same. I saw many designers took her and wanted to produce the same once I published her but none did it, I have checked many artworks that want to copy my style but no one has achieved it yet this is why even for me it's the creator's I can't reproduce it as she is and I want to keep it like this. So this is the most character design project I was satisfied with and that opened many doors as a designer.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

MC : the design industry is constantly evolving, and some possible changes that may happen in the coming years are: 1- Increased focus on sustainability and environmentally-friendly design 2- Greater integration of technology, such as virtual and augmented reality, in the design process 3- More diversity and inclusion in design teams and the products they create 4-Greater emphasis on creating designs that are accessible and easy to use for people with disabilities 5- Continued integration of data analysis and user feedback into the design process to create more effective and user-centered products.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

MC : I really can say that the design industry is continually evolving, and it's challenging to predict precisely where it's heading in the future. However, based on current trends and emerging technologies, we can see a few possible directions. For instance, the rise of AI and automation is creating opportunities for designers to focus on creating more meaningful and personalized experiences. Additionally, we can expect to see more emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, and user-centered design in the future. Overall, the design industry is continuously evolving, and it will be fascinating to see how it evolves in the coming years.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

MC : It really depends of the subject and the final image and quality and I am aiming for. Sometimes it can take 1 month, sometimes 3 months

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

MC : I always start by imagining what I will make from there I start to research elements and gather references from Google but then I try always to get 90% rid of the research I made just to give me an idea of what I will make from there I change completely everything. I am the kind of artist's that my work is very hard to reproduce because the way I think, I am like a puzzle and you can form the puzzle how you want and that's what I do.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MC : My life as a designer is to bring new images and values to the world for the better by making the complicated simple and showing the beauty of it.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

MC : Designers that stay up to date with graphic design trends have an advantage over designers that stick to what they learned in college or design school. By knowing what is trending in the design industry, you can offer clients innovative ideas for their needs instead of relying on the basics. Constantly creating new design work that melds current trends with your personal style, will make your online portfolio into a unique visual destination for designers and clients alike. Your graphic design career deserves to be treated with respect, keeping up with trends is the best way to do that. Feeding your creative inspiration is as important as finding new clients. So in my opinion design can change trends, and trends can create the development of design.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

MC : Technology and tools are very important when I am making life-portrait fantasy characters or other productions. It really speeds up the imagination and image I have in my mind to make more art.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

MC : My main tool is Blender when making character production then Unreal Engine for real-time production among other tools such as Zbrush, Substance painter, Marvelous Designer, etc

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

MC : Create beauty, unique style, space, and depth.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

MC : Anything.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

MC : Get inspired from it and make something

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

MC : I read everything.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

MC : By learning from other master designers and implementing that knowledge in my own works then developing and implementing new techniques and workflow to make something beyond what I have learned. From there, I create a proper structure to follow then I use it in all my works but when I feel things are getting repeated I switch completely and add more things into it and mix it to make something new.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

MC : I want to meet those two legendary artists Mr Akira Toriyama and Masako Nozawa of course are plenty I want to meet but those two people who give me big imagination and influenced on choosing choose to become an artist.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

MC : Having awards and recognition from different places gives you more challenge and motivation to move always forwards and never give up because in life nothing is impossible if you have the passion first, and work hard until you feel hurt next, this is where. For me famous is something that will come over time if you work hard for it, but to be honest I am not that interested to be famous the only thing I am focusing in my life is to make something unique and creative.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

MC : My favorite color is Black, and the most place I like to visit is Venice. I like it very much crabs, seafood is my favorite for the season, and I like spring very much. I like also sports cars, I owned 2 sports cars but I sold them. For brand I like listen to fantasy music and gothic as for my brands my favorite is

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

MC : The funny thing I still remember well, is when I was studying in art school they always asked us to make painting portraits, so In my ant house I messed her whole house with my paintings, I remember she told me you can never succeed or find a job on what you doing, it was funny.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

MC : Every moment of my life is a source of inspiration, keeping an open mind of curiosity and accepting different ideas and cultures.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

MC : When I was a kid, I liked drawing very much. My parents told me that I was always curious about things around me in my childhood but I never thought of becoming a designer I always have dreamed of it and I want to achieve it one day. But I remember I had a lot of fun drawing dragon balls, batman, spiderman, Captain America, and Tiger Mask, I really enjoyed doing it.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

MC : With the advanced technology, we have every day, I think future generations will live on another planet and the technology will be high enough that it will look like a science movie like the star wars we know now. In the future, there will be more designs and creativity to change human life and facilitate life style.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

MC : I hope they can learn from my experience and the success I have achieved and Never Give Up no matter what challenges or obstacles they going to face, the beauty of having that is it put you to the real test. So you have two choices Give Up or take the challenge and smash it with no return. You can find more about me in the link below and I hope it can bring you new imagination and creativity. https://mania-carta.com/ https://www.sandstormstudio.com/