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Chip Chase – Sydney, Australia
99designs handle: mase
Projects won: 64
Born and raised in Australia, but calling New Zealand his part-time home, Chip Chase (known as mase on 99designs) was happy to share his design experiences with us. Chip is half Maori, and his multi-cultural background has certainly influenced his design style. Art and design is an integral part of Maori culture – Chip mentions that Maori wood carvings are very inspiring to look at.
Although Chip started his career with a job in web development, he now calls logo design his favorite and primary field of work. Chip tells us that once he joined 99designs, he never turned back; he has found much joy and success in participating in our design community!
How did you get started in design?
After 3 years studying Web Development in Sydney, Australia, I developed a passion for the visual elements of Web Design. I had just discovered the vector-based graphics programme – Adobe Illustrator. I began to teach myself the skills required to operate this software and produce the creative art that I so often visualized or sketched. I studied graphic design online for a further 2 years before really understanding my potential as a designer, my confidence grew and I then knew that the graphic design industry would become my primary focus.
What led you to start using 99designs.com? Can you describe your experience for us?
I was initially with another outsource company and doing private work, when one day I stumbled across 99designs whilst browsing. I was immediately pleased with how user friendly their website was, I was up and running that day with a profile and never looked back. The quality and depth of the designers amazed me, as I improved my skills quickly, I was soon building client relations and winning contests/projects on a regular basis. My very first project win was for a webpage banner ad design with a $795 cash :P
The follow-up work that often comes with winning is also a benefit to all designers. I have had and continue to receive follow-up work! I feel obligated and dedicated to all my 99design projects and will continue to have 99designs play a major part in my designing career. 99designs has improved my overall skills – no question!!
Tip: Don’t spend your precious time rushing into contests without understanding the condition of it. I spend a great deal of my time at 99designs just searching for contests that I feel I may have a strong chance of winning. My average entry rate is around – 7 contests participating.
What motivates and inspires you?
Majority of my inspiration I honestly believe comes from my clients, I just love the interaction and the passion they show as their designs evolve. I thrive on their feedback and compliments as I piece together their brand. I also visit websites that showcase inspirational designs that help kick-start my creativity.
What do you love most about being a designer?
Working from home is obviously a big plus, I get to be around my family a lot and work my own hours, so I guess that the flexibility is something I enjoy, but most of all… designing!! I just love the process of creating a graphic visual from a blank canvas.
How do you see the field of graphic design changing in the next few years?
It’s getting busier all the time, more and more start-up companies require branding, as well as existing companies/organizations that are looking to update their current brand and company presence. In saying that, there are also a lot of great designers coming through to cater to these demands… the future is bright for graphic design!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself!
I am half Australian and half Maori, maybe my Polynesian background is a factor when it comes to my creative designs :P
What is a hobby that you enjoy doing outside of graphic design?
Golf is a sport that I am very passionate about. I play pretty much every Sunday and enjoy socializing with friends post round. Sydney plays host to some great golf courses and I am privileged to have played on a lot of them and will hopefully continue to do so :D
Describe your hometown for us!
I’m from Sydney, NSW – pretty fast paced, well developed city with large surrounding suburbs/cities , awesome beaches and many work related opportunities. I am currently based in Auckland, NZ for the remainder of 2011(family reasons) and will be returning to Sydney in Jan-Feb of 2012.
Congrats Maori warrior! Keep up good work!
haha… cheers roktiv… love your work mate!
Great Job,
keep goin’ mate
Thanks AJ, will do!
Congrats mate, really nice works, keep the designs rolling
Appreciate your comments Jurgen… love ur stuff bro :P
Great work! wish you good luck and success ! keep on creating beautiful graphics :)
Thanks maka! all the best to you too! :)
awesome work…. keep it up!
Thanks mate!
Inspiring and creative work! Congrats
Hey ditty… cheers mate!
superDUPERcongrats [ma$e] keep up the good work. Stay Blessed and be a Blessing to everyone^^
superDUPERTHANKS! :)
great work
thanks Mala :)
Good to see another Kiwi smashing it on the world stage, well done bro!
haha! kia ora Jason — chur bro!!
awesome work!
congrats!!
thanks extrude… appreciate it! nice folio :)
Creative work! Congratulations!
Hey ulahts! Thanks for poppin’ in mate… love your works… cheers!
Great Job Mase! Love your work. Keep it up ;)
Thanks AmandaJo… love yours also:)
Great work! wish you good luck and success ! :)
ridwan
thanks bro! :)
PrOuD aS!! Congrats …
Hey… aunti? haha no way! thanks for that :) :) (if it’s not u then oops :P) xo
top mar kotop bro…keep your talent! good luck !
cheers bro!
woww, nice work ,keep it up dear
I certainly will… and thanx! :)
Wow…its amazing stories…I was new to this designing matters..would you give me some tips..hehehe..thanks..
sure! … be good to your mother lol :)
Amazing,
Breathtaking. This is beautiful. You can do whatever you want.
Lana and Jerzy
Mum n Jerz?…lol – thanks a bunch for your kind words of encouragement! :D
Back in Sydney before you know it for a cheers mum :P x
Nice works. can you tell me some secret design tips.
hmmm… if I was to tell you mate, then I’d have to……. well, you get my drift. haha! thanks for the comment sayeed and be ORIGINAL!! :)
chur bro! Nice work and nice attitude. Oh, and GO THE ALL BLACKS for the cup!!!
Haha… chur brother scribe! Love your works bro… real clean and inspirational!! GO THE BLACKS!! :P :P :P
Nicely Done ! Keep going mate ! ;)