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| 03 |---JUNGLE #8-->-->> April 1998. ------------------------------------------------------------ From South Korea. Story and interview with Carlos Segura. I was born in Cuba, and came to the United States in 1965 when I was nine. I grew up in Miami, and at a vey early age (12) got into a band as their drummer. I remained there until I was ninteen. One of my responsibilties was promotions, and when I left, I threw all that stuff into a book and got my first job as a production artist at an envelope company (my job was to design the return-addresses for band deposit envelopes). My first real break was at an agency in New Orleans called The Blackburn Company, and after a few more job changes, I moved to Chicago (always wanting to move here because I likes the way the name sounded) in 1980. I'm glad I did because that's where I met my wonderful wife. I worked for advertising agencies, such as Marstellar, Foote Cone & Belding, Young & Rubicam, Ketchum, DDB Needham and more, both here and in Pittsburgh for eleven years until coming to the realization that I was not happy creatively, so I quit and started Segura Inc. in 1991 to pursue design, with the goal of trying to blend as much 'fine art' into 'commercial art' as I could. In 1994, I started the [T-26] Digital Type Foundry to explore the typographical side of the business, and that too has been received with open arms. In 1996, we started the independent record label, 'Thickface Records'. Our first release was in May of 1996 with 'Mobile' by 'Deep', to be followed by 'Samba Manguey' by Everplastic, and DJ Razorface, (which is Jim Marcus and Carlos Segura). And finally, I have just signed with Celsius Films as a director. We are very excited with the promise of this relationship. What do you think as 'new' and 'experimental' typefaces? Anything that offers 'choice' is a good thing. It expands the possibilites of what can be done. In your typeface design, what do you consider the most important? The process of growth. From an artistic point-of-view. The act may not result in a 'typeface', but it will release a new way of thinking that I can then apply to other things. From where do you get your inspiration? From everything around me. EVERYTHING! Among your projects so far, which one do you feel most devoted to? And, for what? One of the most rewarding projects I've done recently was for 'The Alternative Pick" in New York. The two primary reasons are, 1) I was allowed to perform as an artist, and behave true to my beliefs. Today, this very simple feature is missing from my client/designer relationships. And 2) The clients, Maria and Juliette are good people. Another rare trait today. In your typeface design, how much do you care about your audience-designers who are to use and readers who are to look at? I care in the sense that I am not different from anyone else with regards to wanting people to like what I do. But I don't care, in the sense that I do what I do because I like what I do, not because I want you to like it. I believe that there is enough room in this world for everyone to do as they wish. I bring this thinking to all the work I do. In your current type design, what do you suggest as the biggest obstacle? 1)Lack of time. 2)The market's devaluing of the typographical creation process. Which designer do you respect most (or are you most influenced by)? There are too many to isolate one. What do you think to be an ideal relationship between type designer and typographer? There are too many to isolate one. What do you think to be an ideal relationship between type designer and typographer? I don't think that this possibility exists. It is like asking what the ideal relationship between a singer and its audience. The hope is that, in the end, the end user enjoys the creation of the artist. What is your outlook for type design of the 21th century? Typography is a bigger part of the everyday life of the average person today than ever before. I think this will increase. Please briefly comment on the current types of Asian language including 'Han-guel' from your own standpoint. I can't offer an educated
response to this question. Sorry.
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