SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS (SVA)
Julián González is an artist and designer from Colombia, living and working in Brooklyn. He is currently pursuing an MFA in Interaction Design at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where he explores design in new contexts. He grew up fascinated by science fiction, comic books, and video games, all influences in his thesis work on virtual reality tools for depressive disorders. His latest work includes the identity for the IXD Thesis Festival 2016. The Interaction Design Education Summit 17 and a team project to improve urban navigation for visually impaired people in Manhattan. Julian is also the cofounder of Tinto Project, a digital platform that supports small coffee farmers in his native country.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born in Bogotá, Colombia. Now I live Brooklyn.
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Lefty, though I write and draw with right hand.
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Morning owl
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU’VE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED WITH?
Nicholas Urfe, The Magus
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I played the violin as a kid, and I sing out loud when I work alone.
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOWS?
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller.
LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Hertzian Tales:Electronic Products, Aesthetic Experience, and Critical Designby Anthony Dune
ANY PETS?
Two cats: one without a tail and another with no fangs.
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE YOU FLUENT IN?
Spanish and English,
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Too many
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Toulouse Lautrec
FAVORITE CHARITY?
Toys for tots
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Traveling
LAST COMPLIMENT YOU GOT?
Nice glasses!
DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?
Printers catalogues
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
Orange
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN?
Bella Stencil, but Gill Sans is always my first go.
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength is persistence. Weakness is impatience.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A marine biologist, or a botanist.
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“Perfection is the enemy of good.” ‑ George Carlin
