Meet _Trickster_ – a truly talented designer who has enjoyed tremendous success in T-Shirt design contests at 99designs.
Serbanescu Gabriel – Romania
99designs handle: _Trickster_
Projects won: 21
How did you get started in design?
I’ve been drawing since I was about 12 or 13 years old, but I never actually thought I could make a living out of it. When I was a kid I remember trying to reproduce the Ninja Turtles and other comic books characters – I was always a fan of the bad guys (they looked cooler than the good ones). I enjoyed drawing skeletons and monsters and for a short time I enjoyed painting religious icons.
The crucial moment in my development as a designer and artist was when I started using Adobe Illustrator and a drawing tablet, because it improved my skills and sped up the process – I must admit I can’t imagine drawing now without my friend “Ctrl+Z” :).
How do you get your design inspiration?
Although everything that I see or hear can be a source of inspiration, I guess music is the one that inspires me the most… besides other great artist’s works, movies, or simply my mood. I’ve been working with Adobe Illustrator for more than 5 years now and I can say that I will never stop learning, I’ve discovered amazing artists along the way, and the internet is of course the fastest way to discover new styles.
I must say there are some great artists that I do like and I watch, because they have a lot of things you can learn from: Dan Mumford, Aaron Horkey, Felix LaFlamme, GodMachine, Jeral Tydwell, and many many others.
What led you to start using 99designs.com?
A friend introduced me to 99designs about a year ago and I was boomed because it gave me the chance to compete with other designers and it brought me that thrill that everybody wants – to see your design appreciated, shared, commented, and eventually used as image for a product.
It continues to be an amazing experience working with clients and it brings a lot of satisfaction seeing how their brief becomes real with the help of each entry submitted by the designers. I must admit it took a while not to be discouraged when the client didn’t like my design or I didn’t win – it’s all about the competition after all.
What are three things designers can do to have success at 99designs?
1. Read the brief twice to make sure you didn’t miss anything and try to come up with more than one idea – sometimes the client might like the one that you like the less.
2. Never underestimate another designer. Even if you feel you are more talented or experienced, it doesn’t mean you’re better than somebody else. We all have to start somewhere – remember how you were at the beginning.
3. Try not to get too affected when you don’t win – there are many other contests where you are needed.
What do you love most about being a designer?
The fact that I am doing what I’ve always wanted and even get paid for it – this is one of the things that I will never stop being surprised by. It’s a strange sensation when people ask you “What do you do for a living?” and you say “I draw” – that’s pretty cool! Well, it’s not brain surgery, but that’s the best I can do, haha… :)
WOW, felicitari!
Very talented guy!
wow!!!!!!
Congrats!! I love your work! Good luck on future contests!
Thank you very very much
Congrats! Really nice stuff.
thank’s Kernel
thank’s Kernel
Vai cat de tare :D , super desenele :X
Great designs:)
multumesc mult ( thanks )
Wow! such a great post with the designer profile which looks great. It is useful & inspiring to boost up the creativity & the way of designing. Thanks a lot for sharing. Congrats!
a real pro!
Wow! such a great post with the designer profile which looks great. It is useful & inspiring to boost up the creativity & the way of designing. Thanks a lot for sharing. Congrats!
Very nice designs, bro! Keep up the good work and thanks for the useful advices! Tine-o tot asa :)
Awesome work
thanks a lot guys..i appreciate it
supertare frate, tine-o tot asa!!!!
WOW !
Trickster you are an amazing artist!!
I love the idea of zombies trying to eat the T-rex, with all the zombie movies and games out there, I never seen one of zombies Vs Dinosaur. . Like the popular game Plants vs. Zombies, if you any programmer you might just have an app game on your hands. Well good luck with future contest, and maybe in the game designing business also.
you are so good
great designs man.. you rock. \m/
Sick work. Borderline AMAZING! Keep up the great work dude!
cool
WOW! great artist
im sure you’ve heard this a thousand times but very unique, precise, well developed concepts :D
great work. keep it up
Bravo frate, ;) respect. Ma bucur sa vad romanasi pe-aici ;)
damn i love your designs… hope i can make one of those someday
your like the man in “the notebook” LOL
Wow, nice stuff !
Felicitari !
i would love for u to try my project its the purple krown logo project. love your work and style i think u would be perfect . keep doing what your doing
very creative works shall need the facebook connect
yeaaah :)
like this
your great ! like it..
Hi Trickster
I am Sudeep …. First of all let me say that all your work is really really cool…. I LOVED the zombies attacking the T-Rex ….it was totally awesome….. I quit the hotel industry after 5 years to finally pursue design…. I was reading about you and it kind of reflected my childhood … I loved the bad guys too at least in terms of looking cool and used to sketch a lot of skulls, angry animals as well ….. I need a bit of advice, and i hope you find the time to help me out…..
You mentioned that you use a drawing tablet ….. I was thinking of getting one myself but just wanted to check if its worth the investment ( I am from India and its pretty expensive here ). Does it make drawing much easier ? What are the minimum features the tablet should have? Would truly appreciate the help…
Thanks, Sudeep
P.S. Would I be able to connect with you on Facebook?
hey Sudeep, first of all, am really sorry for this late reply, i really really have no excuse of answering so late to you and everybody around here.
I’l be more than glad in helping you ..in any way.
First of all..i don’t know..in my opinion. it has to be Wacom, i use that and so i think 99% of 99designs community uses this.
I have a smaller version, it’s an bamboo, not very expensive,i guess you can go with that or an intuos , if they are still available .
Yes. i think it does, for me it does, i’ve stopped using paper since..i don’t know, long time ago, also i suggest you take it step by step, start with a entry level one..and then you can purchase the next one..and so on, i stayed with my actual one..because well..we have a lot of memories together.
Sure thing..we can chat some more on facebook:
just search Serbanescu Gabriel on google and when you see some skull..that’s me :)
creative designer!!!!! Love it
Thank you!
Cool designs there. And I like how the way he love what he’s doing.
I cant help it …i have to love what i’m doing, because i do it with pleasure, passion, etc, if i’ll stop that and becomes a job..i think i’ll hate it
Trebuie sa recunosc, esti unul dintre cei mai tari artisti ai Romaniei! Bravo tie! Te descurci de minune! Keep the good work up! :D
Wow..nici chiar asa.!!..ms mult mult de tot !
great talent with passion! amazing
Talent comes along the way, passion keeps me going ha ha, thanks you big time!
Foarte frumoasa munca ta!
multumesc mult!
Ayos ka boy Pnalo mga gwa mo
Keep it up. You are an inspiration.
Wow..that’s to much!!..thank you :)
i like nice designs.
Thank you Rachana
I like all the designs. They all unique and has clean look. Trickster uses ordinary figures but recreate them by combining them with a different way of thinking which are surprisingly good!.
Bravo!
Thank you so much!
Thanks! Love your works!
Thank you !
Your work iz amazing :-)…
Thank you so much !i am sorry i didn’t know this is still somehow active…this blog and the comments, i’m sorry for this late replies :(
hi _Trickster_ ,Can I borrow your hands for 1 month?:) Vnh
Of course…but you bring the chainsaw :D:D:D
Hi _Trickster_ !
Please contact me on mailzalogovanje@gmail.com
I nead to ask you some questions.
Greatings
I’ve just did it…sorry for this late reply :(
great stuff
Thank you Leanna
i am join….
..ing the dark side?…:D:D:D
nice work, man!
Thanks!!
WOW Man, Excellent…
Thanks!
wow so beauty man
Thanks a lot !
You can think in different aspect ;Dude Great Work
Thank you Amiton
Felicitari! Succes in concursurile viitoare!
Multumesc la fel!!
Inspiring work I am new in 99design. I would like to surpass your work.. I hope I can haha.
This started me….surpassing others..i hope i can do that some day :)
Amazing!!! How long would you say it takes to make some of these designs shown?
Thanks,
ERH11
Thank you Evan, well..it pretty much takes like 5-6 hours,starting from scrap… some take more..depending on the complexity ..but i guess it’s up to 8 hours max….. the dinosaur vs zombie..that took me a lot more time …ha ha ha
fantastic designs
Thanks
really nice…
Thank you erma
you have nice concepts and ability to do.thanx
Thank you so much
I like it :)
Thanks Ask!
wow. Simple but perfect . i like it . maybe you can teach to me :D lol
Thank you Ahmadmuchrij !
You r amazing man
Thank you Another man !!
ooh cool .can you contact me at kebine123@gmail.com,i want to ask some question
great! so inspiring to come back @ 99designs!
” Stick around !” ( Arnold Schwarzenegger – Predator ) :)
I am interested in talking to you about your Gopher logo design. please email me at gopherral@outlook.com.
(I know this is a weird way to communicate, but I could not find a better way to contact you)
sure..
it’s no problem…
Please tell me how can help you..:)
clean si frumos… felicitari
Wow…amazing designer and very creative..
Very insightful, thank you for sharing.
First of all, congratulations on producing such tight illustrations!
Second, how did you learn to use your tablet for this specific style of drawing?
Is there many tutorials out there with regards to using a tablet for drawing? I have a wacom also, but I have struggled to begin using it too much.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Azad
Salutare,
Foarte bune lucrările, am văzut şi aprecierile pe care le-ai primit şi nu pot decât să vin şi eu cu aprecierea mea.Ai muncit, ai reuşit şi meriţi.
Eu nu sunt foarte bun în arta design-ului, de fapt nu sunt bun deloc.Însă îmi place mult să fac logo-uri pentru firme, e unul din foarte puţinele lucruri care le fac din plăcere.Aş putea sta la un logo şi zile dacă ar fi necesar.Problema este că nu am nici tabletă, şi nici talent pentru desen, dar îmi place.Aş putea să am măcar o mini carieră în design? Doar logo-uri..poate mai târziu şi nişte web, dar nu e cazul acum.
Really nice. Very talented, keep up the good word.
yes, i agree. those are awesome designs. very nice!
very nice!!!!
Felicitari!!!
Si mersi de sfaturi.
Bafta multa in continuare!
awosome guys..
i very like detail your design
:)
You have great, positive energy and talent. Those are very good tips too.
thanks for your email
Wonderful Designs
good design,,very very wonderful
Hey Bro… _Trickster__
You Are really a Awesome Designer. And Your Message is very powerful for improve my Design Skill. and inspiration.
Good Luck for your future Contest.
Thank u so much Bro…
Woh…! Excellent.. Outstanding work.. I like you..
Awesome work!!!
If only I were as talented :(
your design is very nice. I am your fan