Jason Safir

Bio:

I am an interactive new media and performance artist who writes, and whose work has been featured on diverse platforms such as the web, television, and cinema. I have developed user interfaces for web and physical computing platforms, and videos for established filmmakers and television producers, and commercial brands including MTV, TRIBE Media and College Media Network.

I recently completed my masters degree in Interactive Media from the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. I also hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computational Media from Concordia University.

• Title: New Media and Performance Artist
• Age: 28
• Location: Hell's Kitchen
• Contact: jasonsafir.com

What are some of the resources that you use to keep up on design trends and improve/grow your own personal skillset?

I try not to use design trends as inspiration to aid in the execution of my own personal work. I find when you focus too much on what is popular; often the design will appear generic. However, when we get too caught up into something, we often lose our sense to what we are creating, so I think it is important to absorb ourselves around artists works that inspire us. Working in a vacuum is often counter-productive.

You mention online that you’ve been designing for almost a decade now.  How did you first get into the field?  What was the first design application you remember using?

Interactive design has been a passion of mine since I was thirteen years old. Magic was one of my biggest hobbies as an adolescent, and the first web site I designed was a magic trick resource web site, which I launched in 1995. I designed the web site from scratch in Microsoft Notepad using HTML. I remember refreshing my web browser (NCSA Mosaic at the time) after every change I made into Notepad, so that I could see my updated design. I have not stopped designing user interfaces ever since that experience, although I certainly have broadened the tools I work with!

I began designing on a professional level when I was admitted to Concordia University’s BFA Computational Arts program. The digital arts program exposed me to other mediums (such as video art, performance art and physical computing) which inspired and challenged me on so many levels. Had I not been accepted into the program, I would probably be in a completely different field today.

What inspires you?

Satire comedy and 70s cartoons. Taking risks is important.