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F. P. Dorchak

Speculative Fiction (New Weird) Author

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Interview

Interviewed by Marc Schuster on Abominations

June 27, 2013 by fpdorchak

My brewski (Wiki photo).
My brewski (Wiki photo).

What have I done?

What “abominations,” you might well ask?

Well, last week Marc Schuster and I talked. Though I have done live radio, both on and off the Internet, this is my first podcast. The way Marc conducted the interview was slick, as we met real time for the first time. Before I knew it, he had effortlessly and with adroit aplomb (scholarly talk, because, you know, Marc is a professor…) slid into asking his questions, and it felt like a conversation between two dudes over a beer (or iced tea). I didn’t feel like I was being interviewed (that’s how “they” getcha), I thought in the middle of it all, and part of me wondered, gee, what kind of trouble am I going to get myself into, here? And as I thought that, I immediately thought, crap, what did I just say and what had he just asked? Then, as I was thinking that, I again wondered, geeze, now what did I just say….

So, I apologize in advance. For everything.

Anyway, Marc is quite the well-mannered and easygoing gentleman, and I had a great time. We both had a fun time. That’s my story, anyway. I thank him for the interview and expenditure of his time in putting all this together (aaand…am looking forward to the dance remix version…), but…perhaps more than anything…well, I’m really curious…and looking forward to…that little ditty he (and sometimes his partner-in-crime) always put on before the actual interviews….

Filed Under: Fun, Metaphysical, To Be Human, Writing Tagged With: ERO, Interview, Interviews, Marc Schuster, Podcast, The Uninvited, writing

Zachary Lin, Graphic Artist

February 21, 2013 by fpdorchak

Zachary Lin (© Zachary Lin)
Zachary Lin (© Zachary Lin)

Zachary Lin, of Zachary Lin Graphics, is a young, up-and-coming graphics artist who created my Silver Man graphic on my Reality Check blog site. I’ve known his family for a few years, and when his name came up, thought, yeah, I should use his services! After having dealt with him for a couple weeks on the graphic design, I found him to be great, detail-oriented, easy to work with kinda guy, and wanted to get his name out there and interview him.

So, ladies and gents, here is Zachary Lin!

Tell us a little about yourself, Zach.

In 2011 I graduated from the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design with a BFA in Graphic Design. Subsequently, I worked for YS, a regional magazine, designing ads and illustrations. Since then I have been a freelance graphic designer and illustrator, working mostly with writers.

How did you get into the graphic art business?

In my last couple of years in high school I got into drawing in the style of manga (Japanese comics) and considered going to school to become an illustrator. I scanned my sketches into the computer, where I discovered how much I love working with software, such as Photoshop and Illustrator. I decided to major in graphic design, because I felt it would give me the greatest education in working with these programs.

Early Silver Man Sketch (© Zachary Lin)
Early Silver Man Sketch (© Zachary Lin)

What type of work do you take on?

I take on anything from logos and branding collateral to entire page layouts for novels. Since the beginning of 2012, I’ve also worked regularly on vector illustrations. I enjoy telling stories with illustrations.

What kind do you not take on?

I have worked with websites before, providing branding, layouts, and color concepting. Coding the sites is something I don’t take on that frequently, though. In the future I would love to learn more about coding, however, right now I enjoy collaborating with professional coders.

How do you describe your work?

Most of my illustrations include a humorous, comic element to them. Most of my illustrations are vector illustrations made in Illustrator. Illustrator makes it easy to move lines and points around, while resizing. It also allows for sharp lines and smooth gradients that I find give a nice clean look to the finished pieces. I like to use bold colors most of the time to make the image “pop.”

Midway Silver Man Graphic (© Zachary Lin)
Midway Silver Man Graphic (© Zachary Lin)

What are your short and long-term goals in the business of graphic art?

At the moment my goal is to find a workplace were I’m able to collaborate with other designers on a variety of projects that will give me experience in many different media, so I can continue to expand my skills. This would also serve to show me what I enjoy doing most, and help me out, deciding where I want to be in the long run.

I hear you like acting. True?

I have “acted” in several student films created for video editing classes. They were fun to make and film is a great way to tell a story. I personally enjoy telling stories about how they were made. For example, I once got punched in the face—twice—and slowed it down for a scene.

Full Video, titled “Rollover”:

The Making of “The Punch” Scene:

Ouch. Have any other videos we can share?

In 2012 I started to screen capture my process while working on certain projects. Here is a video showing my process on one of my most detailed vector illustrations (warning: don’t have had too much coffee before watching this one [just sayin’]—FPD):

You can view all of my process videos at www.youtube.com/zacharylindesign

What else do you have your hands in?

I’ve been working part-time at a grocery store to help pay the rent and keep myself fed.

Well, we all gotta eat! Can you let us in on three surprising things about yourself (uh, that are legal!)?

I enjoy painting. Unlike most people I’ve asked, I prefer oils to acrylics because I enjoy having the time to work with the paint on the canvas for a little while. Acrylics dry too fast to do that.

I have a very messy room but I keep very organized computer files.

I live mostly on chicken strips, quesadillas, and Oreos.

What’s your life’s goal, my friend?

Final Silver Man Graphic (© Zachary Lin and F. P. Dorchak)
Final Silver Man Graphic (© Zachary Lin and F. P. Dorchak)

I would like a steady graphic design job where I will always have opportunities to continue to improve my skills. I’d like to be able to afford a house and a family.

Noble. What do you like to read, and what are ya currently reading?

I enjoy reading manga and graphic novels. I enjoy visual storytelling. I’m currently reading Naruto, Gantz, and One Piece.

If you were to have a gravestone, what would you have engraved upon it?

I’m not sure about what words, but I think it would be pretty cool to have a personal logo I designed on it. Symbolizing my life as a graphic designer with a symbol.

Thank  you so much for your time, Zach! And thanks, again, for doing the graphic for Silver Man! It has been a pleasure, and we wish you all the best in your burgeoning career!

To contact Zach:

Website: http://www.zacharylin.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/zacharylindesign

E-mail: zacharylindesign@gmail.com

Filed Under: Leisure, To Be Human, Writing Tagged With: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Design, Gantz, Graphic Art, Graphic design, Graphic designer, Illustration, Interview, Naruto, One Piece, Photoshop, Zachary Lin

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