Michael Sevilla

I am a multidisciplinary creative specializing in direction, design, branding, motion, print, and all things interactive.

I live in Los Angeles and I am a Creative Director at Tool of North America. I have always had a fascination with the convergence of art, design, music, technology, and life. I started out as a print designer and moved to digital because I needed a website and I loved creating things that would come to life through interactions and animations.

10 questions for Michael Sevilla:

• What did you do before becoming a designer?

  I was a kid that constantly drew pictures, dreamed up inventions, painted in Microsoft paint, and made clipart Jordan posters for my family. Although being in the NBA was my dream as a kid, I knew I wanted to pursue design as my future when I took a desktop publishing class during my sophomore year of high school and couldn’t stop dreaming up designs I wanted to make.

• Where do you turn for inspiration?

  There’s so much to be inspired by these days that I feel like it finds you.

• Which are your favorite studios, designers or agencies?

  There are too many great studios, designers, and agencies out there to name a few as favorites. If you really want names, it’s probably best to check who I follow on Twitter (@svlaco).

• Is your city a good place for designers?

  Yes. I live in L.A.,it has to be one of the world’s most creative cities.

• Which technologies are you excited about?

  I’m sure WebGL is a big one for most of us, especially now that it’s more available on mobile devices. Cardboard and Oculus experiences are also pretty fun and going to be big. I’m looking forward to experiencing the combination of Kinect and other sensor tech with new emerging VR visual options. I was also just given a PS4 so I’m stoked about that too.

• Do you listen to music while you work? Describe your playlist.

  Yes, I listen to music all the time. My playlists are all over the place though. I listen to music that fits the project when I’m setting the look and feel. I listen to a few different high energy remixes on Soundcloud when I need to just get things done quickly. When I want to chill and feel like I’m on vacation, I turn on some Lord Huron.

• What are you cultural influences? (Music, books, films, ideologies, etc.)

  I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is a beautiful place and full culture, design, art, and technology. So many different things and people have helped shape who I am and how I choose to live my life and I am thankful as well as blessed to be influenced by them.

• Have you got an academic background or are you self taught?

  Yes. Although I learned more design and code outside of school, I have a degree from SJSU because I wanted one and I wanted to learn as well as discuss more than just my craft.

• What do you do in your free time?

  I love spending time with my beautiful wife & our puppy, having meals with friends, playing basketball & baseball, traveling, surfing, snowboarding, watching movies, serving Santa Monica with the Risen community, and working on personal projects.

• Where do you see the industry in 5 years?

  I see it continuing to push the digital and physical boundaries. More out-of-browser experiences. Also, looking forward to seeing how far the expressive web pushes interactive creativity.

• Are you working on any personal projects?

  Always, can’t help it.

• If you could give one piece of advice to newbie designers, what would it be?

  The greatest thing you will ever design is you.