whatpumpkin:

Hey there folks, Ash here! It’s that time again: time, that is, to grab a snack of your choice, get nice and comfy, and settle in for another illuminating interview with one of the people working tirelessly to bring you Hiveswap!

In the spotlight for today’s interview is Tauhid Bondia, one of the incredibly talented individuals on our art and graphic design team who also happens to be Hiveswap’s user interface (UI) maestro! He’s responsible for most of the game’s UI design, including visual elements like the heads-up display (HUD), cursors, menus, achievement and item icons… really, if it requires a special interface, chances are he designed it! He also helps out anywhere else he’s needed on the art and animation side of things; for example, he’s done clean-up and added color to rough animation. As you read through the interview, make sure you pause just long enough to gaze lovingly upon the examples of Tauhid’s work peppered throughout… and above all, enjoy this latest sneak peek at some of Hiveswap’s visual elements!

Introduce yourself to the fans! What is your specific role on the Hiveswap team?

My name is Tauhid Bondia (Tah-heed Bon-Dee-uh) and I’m a graphic designer, illustrator, and web designer. On Hiveswap I’m the UI designer.

When and how did you get your start on the Hiveswap project?

I’ve been with What Pumpkin for a little over three years now. When Hiveswap began to take up more of the company’s time, they asked me to pitch in with some of the web design and Illustration. I said, “Okay.”

(The top image shows a “style guide” Tauhid prepared for the game’s HUD. This guide was then used to implement the HUD into the game itself, which you can see in the bottom image. – Ash)

Tell us a little bit about your career background! How did you get your start
in art and graphic design? Do you have any advice for others looking to enter this field?

I’ve worked in graphic design for 15 or 16 years now, mostly freelance and local stuff. I am also a self-taught web designer. Everything I’ve learned about animation and game design has actually been on the job!

We’re making a video game, so of course the question must be asked: what’s your favorite game of all time, and what games are you playing currently (if any)?

My answer has to be World of Warcraft, just based on the sheer volume of years of my life and personal relationships it has eaten.

Are there any games that you currently use or have used as inspiration for
your own art and graphic design work here on Hiveswap, or just in general?

Not really. I mostly draw from print and web comics.

What are your preferred programs and applications as an artist and graphic designer? What are the tools of your trade?

Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Draw. I do all of my drawing on a Cintiq Companion these days, but I’ve worked on some model of Cintiq since they first came out.

What’s your workstation like? Do you like to listen to any particular kinds of music while you work? If so, tell us about it!

I work in a recliner in my living room. I’ll usually put The Office on Netflix as background noise. Barring that, I might bump a little Mos Def or Chance the Rapper. Basically, any authentic hip-hop that’s got my ear at the time.

Favorite Homestuck character?

My blackest secret is that I never mustered the stamina to finish it. But I like the one with the horns. He honks, I think. Gamgam.

Favorite Homestuck ship?

It has ships? I didn’t realize it was science fiction. Maybe I’ll finish it.

Favorite Homestuck flash?

Are you trying to get me fired?

Do you have a personal message you’d like to relay to all the Homestuck and Hiveswap fans out there?

Probably just that I really hope you enjoy this game. I don’t really know if there is another project I’ve been prouder to be a part of. The amount of talent that’s been poured into this game is just obscene!

Where can people find more of your work? Link us to your own little corner(s) of the Internet!

You can find plenty of examples of my work and more – including my own comics – on my website!