Describe the ideas behind your work short listed for Top Arts.
I have explored and illustrated some concepts surrounding human evolution: the extent to which humans are corrupted by technology, as well as the sickly beauty of evolution itself.

What were your starting points? Where did your inspiration come from?
I started using my imagination as inspiration, working from rough sketches to more detailed ones, until I had a clear picture of what I wanted to achieve.

What media/materials did you select and why?
I chose to use Adobe Photoshop, my tool of choice, because I’m already very experienced in using it.

What challenges/difficulties/discoveries did you encounter in producing your work?
I strove to break the barrier between reality and fantasy. In doing so I pushed myself to the limit of my technical skills to make my images appear as realistic as possible, whilst working around the limitations of the program.

What advice would you give to students undertaking Art or Studio Arts?
Do what you’re good at and don’t set yourself an agenda which compromises quality for quantity. The deadline approaches rapidly and it’s easy to run out of time for those crucial details which raises the quality of your artwork to a professional level.

Are you planning to pursue a career in the arts? What will you be doing in 2009?
I’m planning on spending next year travelling as well as building up a folio of personal work. The year after I’ll either look for a job as a digital illustrator or enrol in a uni course in design for computer games.