INTERVIEW WITH FROZEN ILLUSIONS
“Hold the elevator” I cried out, rushing to the door, my fingers trying to loop in my heels as I clutched my binder to my chest.
It had been a busy morning, and as usual, I was rushing. Things had been quieter than usual between my brothers and the absence of my sisters on the notification front.
“Hi, my name is Eun-Ji, and I am one of the Co-Founders of Piece of Seoul. Aside from my busy life at home I also manage multiple business with a select few others, and have just founded the group, “Annyeong Ahjumma” which is a select group of women of an older generation that provide solid advice, feedback, critique on just about everything in our community.”
I open the doors stepping into the lobby of Frozen Illusions and look to the Secretary,”Hello and good morning, welcome to Frozen Illusions, can you please hold one moment?”
“Of course” I respond swiftly, tapping my toe nervously before giving a soft smile.
“Good morning, and welcome to Frozen Illusions, how may I direct your call?” the tall slender woman said, people beginning to swarm the massive studio. “Unfortunately Menkaure is currently in a scheduling meeting at the moment, and then he’s booked for the remainder of the day. I can take a message or direct you to his Manager, Ms.Kaili Narciso if you’d like.” She was sweet, kind, professional but no push over when it came to the business, you could tell, this woman was a shark, and what was worse, if this was how their secretaries were, who’s to say what his other staff was like.
After having hung up the phone she smiled, straightened her glasses and looked up, raising her hand as if to beckon the woman standing there idly.
“Hello, yes, I’m Eun-Ji, here to conduct an Interview with Frozen Illusions Founder, Menkaure LaCroix Narciso.” I smiled.
“And do you have an appointment?” she said, looking up impatiently, knowing full well she had to stay on top of her game or risk her job.
“I do. It’s. . .” She looked down at her watch and before she had a chance to respond you could hear the echoing of heels making their way through the esteemed halls of Frozen Illusions studio empire.
“It’s now.” The woman had responded to her. “Kaili, it’s been too long.” I said, giving the woman a smile.
The secretary looked taken aback as to how the two of us knew one another. “Oh, did I forget to mention I’m Menkaure’s niece?” I said, giving the woman a smile. “It’s fine, I’ve got it from here, Tanya.” the secretary smiled and sat back in her seat returning to her work. “When the rest of the ladies arrive, please send them back.” At this the secretary nodded and smiled, returning once more back to her work.
“Kaure and I just finished some last minute scheduling ideas, he should be out shortly. I’ve got some other business to handle, but you know where everything is, so just hang tight.” Kaili had said, giving me a smile before waving.
As I waited, and all the Aunties started to arrive, we took our places around this massive orange table that had been set up for the interview and helped ourselves to water before striking up conversation in anticipation of the big interview.
“Hello, and good day to you. Please allow me to introduce the women of the Ahjumma Society, otherwise known as the Annyeong Ahjummas.”
Eun-Ji smiled, looking up at her uncle before beginning to clear her throat and gesture to the first woman to her right.
“This is Ahjumma Bong-Cha” at the introduction the woman had slowly reached for her cane, trying to rise, only to be interrupted by Eun-Ji, who promptly ushered her to sit.
“And continuing on, that is Hei Ran, Jang-Mi & finally Ko Mi Young, and of course, me.” She said, a subtle but late, “Annyeonghaseyo” coming from Jang-Mi who nodded politely in greeting to the young Founder.
“아, 그는 정말 잘생겼어.” Ko Mi Young had heard Jang-Mi say, as they giggled and Jang-Mi leaned back in her seat. I, of course, understood what she’d said and respectfully translated.
“She says you’re very handsome.”
“은지, 어떻게 그렇게 젊고 부자야? 그는 많은 돈을 벌어야 한다. 그는 무엇을 하나요?“ Hei-Ran chimed in, looking at Bong-Cha after she’d addressed Eun-Ji.
“Aunties, please.” Eun-Ji replied, shaking her head. “I told you what he does for a living.”
“They want to know what you do for a living, and they ask how you’re so successful at such a young age?” I continued. “But we can save these questions for the interview.
The women all closed in together and Bong-Cha spoke up, looking over the questions they were to ask him before speaking,
Q:What software programs would you say you are proficient in?
A: “Well of course Photoshop. I know Blender, but only for poses. If you asked me to mesh for you, you’d be highly disappointed. In addition I know Marvelous Designer and Lightroom.”
Q:What do you do when you get a graphic designer’s block?
A: “I like to take the time to step back and listen to music to get back to my creative roots. However, if the block is bad enough, I find it useful that I watch YouTube videos of speed-painting to help break me out of my funk.”
Q:Describe a time where you’ve had to juggle two projects at once.
A: “Typically in most cases, I actually juggle 3-4 projects at one time. So, describing just the two wouldn’t do the question justice unfortunately. Once I’m in a working mood, I zone everything and everyone out and just go to work! Haha.”
Q:Tell me about a situation where a client gave you bad feedback and you didn’t agree with their critique.
A: “One time I did a picture based on a reference photo, and the client said his head in said photo was too big. I showed him a GIF of how the before and after photos aligned and meshed perpendicular to one another, and in the end he had agreed and respected my professional opinion.”
Q:How do you keep your design skills up to par?
A: “For the most part I don’t enjoy practicing on my clients when it comes to updating my skills, or keeping it up to par, per say.
I like to play around with different things when it comes to my own portraits, whether that’s trying different techniques, a scene that just pops into my head, or an idea that’s close to my heart and I felt would look good.
To me it’s all about practicing new things to better my craft over all, and I say that really helps out in the long run.”
Q:What artists have had the biggest influence on your process and style?
A: “I don’t have any. If we’re being honest, I created the style that people are now familiar with.
Which is ‘Hybrid-Realism’. And if you’re speaking in terms of my Real Life inspirations, I’d have to say it is my H.S. Art Teacher.”
Q:What have your past teams looked like—and what does your ideal design team look like?
A: “Can we skip this one? Because, honestly, I couldn’t tell you! Haha!”
Q:Why did you choose to become a Digital Artist?
A: “I’d have to say that it was a lot of my real life influences and surroundings that molded me to want to become something outside of my normal company. If that makes sense. I fell in love with Art at a young age, and I had the idea to transform how I saw myself and those around me on the platforms I was on at the time.”
Q:According to you, what is the role of a Digital Artist?
A: “I’d have to say that it would bring clients' visions to life and make it into art. However, not everyone has a vision and that’s where things can get tricky because oftentimes people can’t really put their vision into words but they’ll have an expectation, and that’s kind of scary for me because you don’t know what that expectation is.
So, I use their avi style and look at their socials to kind of gauge what they want to see and what I can do, and for the most part that’s always worked.”
Q:Do you find that it’s important to have effective communication within your space? This may include your team or clients, or even both.
A: “I do think it is important to communicate with a client, and the reason for this is if I don’t have effective communication with my client or clients, I don’t see how it’d be possible to bring their vision to life.
As far as my team goes. . . I also think it’s important, because if there isn’t communication between one another, we essentially lose our ability to communicate effectively with our clients.”
Q:What should be a Digital Artist’s priority while creating a Piece?
A: “I’d have to say. . . the client's vision.”
Q:What makes you a good Digital Artist? Or what makes a Digital Artist stand out from others?
A: “In being the pioneer for bringing a new style for Second Life. I believe that allows for me to truly show my individuality. And in terms of standing out from others, I definitely have to say it’s the quality of the DA’s work.”
Q:Is there a need for Digital Artists to improve their knowledge? How do you keep up with changing trends?
A: “I think it’s important for anyone to improve their knowledge in any line of work. It doesn’t have to be tied down to just DA’s. I don’t think I try to keep up with changing trends at all, truthfully speaking. And I know that can seem and sound very High Horse-ish, however, it should go without saying that whenever you start or conduct a business, you want that thing to be your own. It’s your baby, and it should remain as such. Does it make sense?”
Q:How do you measure the success of your designs?
A: “On one hand,I judge it on my own. And decide whether I like the quality of it.
And on the other hand, the client's receptiveness is THE biggest factor because at the end of the day, I want to please them.”
Q:Do you like working alone or with a team?
A: “As far as editing goes, I prefer to be alone. No one ever joins me during that part of the work process.
When it comes to my team though, I don’t think I could do it without them.
My sister, Zuri as my manager.
My niece, Eun-Ji as my Social Media Manager.
And of course, my Mother, as my biggest supporter and mentor.
All of whom have helped me immensely on this journey.”
Q: We see that you’ve won quite a lot of awards, any plans on any more before the year ends? Or even better, which ones do you see yourself winning come next year?
A: “I really can't say if I’m going to win an award or not as it’s all based on who the public votes for, however I do hope to be considered. I just appreciate being acknowledged, especially this far into my career.”
Q:Is your family a huge part of your support circle?
A: “Absolutely!
Outside of my team, my family does their own show of support by sharing the photography I’ve posted, recommending me and of course sending me words of encouragement; and I couldn’t ask for more.”
“Well, it looks like that’s time.”
Eun-Ji said, as the ladies all rose slowly and moved one by one in a line to either give Menkaure a hug or shake his hand. “We really appreciate you meeting with us, and forgive the Aunties. It’s. . . been awhile.” I said, giving him a smile before moving in for a hug. “I’ll let you know if I need anything else, but I think we’re good for now. We’ll talk soon.” I added, waving goodbye before eyeing the secretary on my way out, exiting with grace and sophistication and making my way home, ending the day on a good note.