Justin Maller, a 24-year-old graphic artist, has done work for 20th Century Fox, Hershey’s Ice Breakers, and Sony BMG Music Entertainment to say the least. The guy is a wiz when it comes to graphic illustrations. We had a chance to chat with the young Australian native about his role in the visual arts game, as well his aspirations.

TWM: Where did you go to school?
Maller: The University of Melbourne

TWM: What did you study?
Maller: I have a Bachelor of Creative Arts

TWM: When did you start designing?
Maller: I started fooling around in Photoshop around 1998!

TWM: How did you get into graphic arts?
Maller : A friend gave me said copy of Photoshop, and I started mucking around with it then; it became one of my main hobbies around 2001 when I found the only communities and whatnot.

TWM: What programs do you use?
Maller: Mostly Photoshop, with a dash of Cinema 4D

TWM: How does Australian art, specifically graphic arts, differ from American art, and any other country for that matter?
Maller: I can't answer this mate; I know many Australian designers, and I (take out the extra space) wouldn't say there's a common aesthetic between them that could be defined as specifically Australian.

TWM: What is depthCORE? And why was it started?
Maller: depthCORE is an art collective I started with Kevin Stacey in 2002; basically the site serves as a showcase for a private community of designers who combine to release themed exhibitions periodically throughout the year. We started it to provide a platform for abstract and conceptual artists to exhibit through - this M.O. has changed over the years to a much broader aesthetic, but the essential premises remains.

TWM: When did you start doing tutorials, and why?
Maller: I wrote my first tutorial in 2006. Why? Because they're great exposure and a good way to make some cash!

TWM: The Wall Magazine highlights visual as well as performing artist how does music play into your designs?
Maller: Music is a passion of mine, and many of my images are created as a visual reflection of a song I am listening to. I work much better with music on as opposed to say, a movie or silence. I think visual art and music are inextricably linked in a very positive way.

TWM: A lot of your work has a machine meets animal thing going on. Are you inspired by a wild sense of technology?
Maller: I see those themes in my work too, but they aren't what inspire me; they're the result. I can't explain it - I seldom analyze my artistic process, I just leave it alone and hope for the best!

TWM: What/ where do you see yourself in the future, near and far?
Maller: Short-term, I see myself building and developing my freelance client base - I'm always open to taking on new work, and that is definitely my priority at the moment. Longer term, I plan to open an agency filled with D.C. artists - it's still a few years away, but it is definitely my long term goal.

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Thanks to Justin for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us.