It’s time for another designer appreciation, and the focus of this month is none other than Talent! I got a lovely interview with them, which you can read below — and make sure to show your appreciation for Talent in the comments!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Daniel, I'm 24 and I am from Canada, just outside of Toronto. I'm v queer, tht's the only label I really go by, so he/she/they pronouns are all very cool with me. I'm one of those people that likes to try and do everything creative so my hobbies are always coming and going. I do design stuff for another website as well, I love video games (notably anything Nintendo, specifically The Legend of Zelda/Pokemon, League of Legends and Dead by Daylight), and I'm a big fan of clothes and fashion. I think my next hobby is gonna be learning to sew.

How long have you been designing for vp and what initially sparked your interest in doing so?

I've been designing for VP essentially since I joined in December. The Legally Blonde design event had just been put up and I really wanted the prize set so I figured I'd have a go at it, and it was a lot of fun and really inspired me to keep trying.

Do you wish to be a badged designer in the future?

I definitely do! I've thought of applying again since my first application a few months ago wasn't accepted, but I'm still not too confident in my skills designing for such a small template. I feel like I want to spend a little more time getting better before I consider applying.

Where do you get your design inspiration? 

Lots of places! My most recent design was inspired by someone on TikTok whose style I am completely enraptured by, but I've been inspired by things on Pinterest, RuPaul's Drag Race, designer runways, and IKEA teddy bears.

What program do you use for designing? And do you use a mouse or a drawing tablet? 

I use Photoshop to design and I draw with a HUION Kamvas Pro 13.

Approximately how long does it take you to design one set?

It really varies but when I start something I get crazy focused and will probably pump it out in like 2 hours. It's not that I rush anything, I just work really fast. I could probably improve if I took more time but it's not how my brain works.

How much time do you spend designing on a weekly/monthly basis? 

It really comes and goes. My first few months here, I was super excited when I discovered the designing system and was ready to pump out things all the time, even when I should've been doing other things for school or work. I also hyperfixate a lot and when I discover something new it is all I want to do for a few months and then I drop it and never come back. Nowadays I'll make a design every one or two weeks, maybe start on a WIP and get frustrated and not finish it. I just finished an internship and I'm in the process of looking to move out of my childhood home so I have just been happily busy.

Do you have a set that means something special to you or that had a

special story behind it when you created it? Can you tell us why?

This set is pretty special to me! It was one of my first few and I didn't really feel very confident in my ability to design for VP (still don't really) because I wasn't putting out things that looked even half as good as what everyone else was making and of course nobody really wanted anything I was putting out. This set, however, was the first time people were like asking me to finish it and responding really positively and when it came out lots of people were trying to buy it and it is still on people's wish lists. It felt and still feels great to have something I've made be wanted like that because I still feel like I have a lot to learn when it comes to designing for VP.

Can you show us your very first and your most recent design?