Crafting Spaces & Stories!
Alan Jacob George explores the diverse world of design, starting from his architectural background to the establishment of Moon Design. Explore Alan's versatile approach, creative methods, and his vision for the future.
Can you share your journey from architecture to founding Moon Design? What ignited your passion for graphic design, branding, typography, motion, and 3D?
I have always been passionate about art since childhood. I love to draw, doodle, paint, create craft items, and explore different techniques with my hands. However, my interest in graphic design, branding, typography, motion, and 3D was piqued by animated movies and title credits.
Pixar has always been a great source of inspiration for me. They make beautiful stories, are constantly innovating and exploring new ideas, and create stunning visuals. Recently, I have been captivated by the conceptual style of movies like Spider-Verse and the latest Puss in Boots. Both are absolutely amazing.
In addition to movies, I have a special interest in movie titles and end-credit sequences. I have seen some extremely creative work that combines graphic design, motion, 3D, type, patterns, and music, and I absolutely love it.
I see graphic design as a form of functional art. I combine my various interests and draw inspiration from all around me to create my work.
How do you blend graphic design, motion, and 3D in your work, and what benefits come from being a multidisciplinary designer?
As a designer, I am passionate about various disciplines, which is why I consider myself a multidisciplinary designer. I blend these different areas to keep my projects interesting and engaging. For instance, I could start with a static image, introduce some 2D motion graphics, followed by another static image, and then add a 3D motion work or an interactive 3D panel where you can freely explore the design in 3D. This approach helps me showcase the brand holistically and brings the project to life.
One of the advantages of being a multidisciplinary designer is the range of inspiration sources you can draw from. This expands your creative vision and helps you approach design challenges from different perspectives. Instead of limiting yourself to a single field of expertise, you can consider a problem spatially or in motion. Observing and taking in details is a key skill for any creative, and inspiration can come from various sources such as music, film, art, sculpture, cars, or a simple walk.
My ability to produce motion or 3D design in-house enables me to create a cohesive identity exactly as I envision it. I love the flexibility of working on different things every day and the freedom to switch things up. Monotony is not my thing.
Could you walk us through your creative process when tackling a new design project?
Every design project begins with understanding the requirements of the client and assessing whether the client, project, and we are a good fit. Next, we discuss the possibilities and explore the client’s vision.
I brainstorm and present concepts as initial sketches or rough digital work. I spend a lot of time researching and exploring various options, including typefaces, colours, references, patterns, and other deliverables that a project may require.
After that, we select and refine a few concepts, iterating until we reach the final design. Finally, the complete design package is fleshed out.
How do you collaborate globally with clients to grasp their needs and visions while injecting your creativity and expertise into projects?
Collaboration is extremely important in the design process as it is not created in a vacuum. The input from the client is essential as we are trying to solve a problem for them. We keep the client informed and seek their feedback throughout the design process. This helps us to shape the design and create something that meets their needs.
I have been lucky to work with wonderful clients who value design and understand its importance. They are willing to invest their time and money into it. Additionally, they are open to new ideas, willing to listen to what works and respect my expertise.
What inspired you to establish Moon Design, and what values guide your multidisciplinary practice?
To have a workspace where we create amazing designs and collaborate respectfully with other talented designers, while having fun.
You've held various roles in the design and architecture industry before founding Moon Design. How have these experiences shaped your approach to design and influenced your career path?
I have always followed my interests and heart in my career path. Every experience I have had has played a part in shaping the person I am today.
The field of architecture is quite broad, and my education in it has been extensive. Working as an architect has given me the confidence to work independently and allowed me to incorporate certain skills into my daily work.
Some of the architecture skills that I love and use regularly are learning through observation, seeing things from a variety of perspectives, quickly learning new skills, and effectively working with teams.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your career so far, and how have you overcome them? Conversely, what are some of your proudest achievements as a designer and entrepreneur?
I think the most challenging part of my work is finding the right clients. Once I have the right clients, the design process flows more easily. To create good design, it's crucial to have good clients.
I'm proud of all the work I've presented online. I always try to make each case study unique and bring in something new. Each new case study brings me a lot of pride and joy. Additionally, learning new skills is also very rewarding.
What advice would you give to aspiring designers who are just starting their careers?
There is a wealth of knowledge and beautiful work available online. Anyone can become a designer with a strong desire to learn. There are unlimited sources of inspiration to choose from, and all the necessary skills can be acquired through online learning. Simply select something that interests you and begin learning.
During my time as an architecture student, I became interested in brand design after browsing some stunning case studies on Behance. I was inspired to create similar beautiful works and share them with the world. Now, I am proud to say that I have successfully made the transition to brand design.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for the future of Moon Design? How do you envision your role in the design industry evolving in the years to come?
Moon plans to explore and experiment with motion, 3D, AR/VR, and other interesting technologies while taking on larger projects. We are also excited to collaborate with other skilled designers. Our goal is to continue designing and assisting clients, all while having fun. As time goes on, we envision Moon expanding its reputation for delivering creative, high-quality work that reaches new audiences and attracts more clients.
Is there anything else you'd like to share, whether about your design philosophy, upcoming projects, or words of inspiration?
Observe, experiment, design, and create freely. Add colour to the world and mark it with your touch.
