Antonio Jimenez – Brutal Disorder

Interview with Antonio Jimenez of Brutal Disorder

“Well to make a long story short, I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and was taken to the U.S. when I was 6 months old (Los Angeles for about 5 years and the rest of my years until my 19th year in Phoenix, Arizona) My family had moved around a lot but when I was the age of 14 years old I began sketching logos and until someone pointed out that I should do it as a business. I started to sell logos for $5 dollars which wasn’t much but I knew it was just a start! Little by little my work began to be well known and I took pride in working with great bands from all over the world! I always did it for the music not for the money so I never wanted to charge an outrageous amount of money especially since I know typical metal bands are broke! At the age of 19 years I moved to Mexico to be with my family who was previously deported 1 year beforehand. I decided to continue my work and career here and be with them. I’m happy here and Brutal Disorder Logos has thrived at least by 200% since I came here! I have larger plans with design and since I’m studying in Digital Design in the University of Digital Design here in Mexico I plan on establishing a design firm later on and have BDL as a side project. I love Design and doing this particularly for the metal scene is an honor and gives me Joy knowing I can help out my fellow metal heads around the world and make great friends!”
Antonio Jimenez – Brutal Disorder

HMA: Your work is really impressive. How did you get started in designing and creating artwork for Heavy Metal bands?

Brutal Disorder: It all started when I was trying to make a logo for my own band! I sketched and sketched and people liked my logo so much that they asked me to sketch them one for their own band. I did it out of mere fun and everything pretty much took off after that!

HMA: ..and your first proper paid job?

Brutal Disorder: It was when I worked with Thy Demise which is technically my first client. They paid me $5 dollars and I was like 14 so I was happy with 5 bucks! They sent me the cash in an envelope through the mail and I consider this my first official paid Job.

HMA: In your artwork is filled with symbolism i.e. occult, mythology, science finction, etc., do you have any personal interests in these kind of literature? And how does it influence/inspire you work?

Brutal Disorder: I have a very high interest in Science fiction, mythology, fantasy and horror all of these ties very much into my artwork and can become a great inspiration! My personal interest in a vast amount would be Egyptian mythology and science fiction themes including, apocalypse, zombies, alien invasions etc….I guess you can say I’m a bit of a conspiracy theorist! The guy who believes in aliens and area 51!

HMA: Do you often get direction from the bands?

Brutal Disorder: Bands typically have their idea of artwork and I work from that but always incorporate my own ideas and let them know what will look good and what won’t.

HMA: What is your artistic vision and philosophy?

Brutal Disorder: Well this could go on for a long rant so to sum it up; my philosophy on “art” is very simple. It’s whatever I make that creates a reaction from other people! I believe that even the most obscene and gory album cover can be artistic because it generates a reaction from its viewers… disgust, horror, or curiosity. Art to me is an indirect communication between the artist and the viewer.

HMA: What are your views when it comes to experience music and the visual arts?

Brutal Disorder: Music is art! To be able to demonstrate what the music is about a complementary work of art has to be in order to represent what the music is about!

HMA: Your style is extremely complex and detailed, how did you reach this level of proficiency?

Brutal Disorder: I studied other artists and practiced on my own. The University has helped me a lot but it helped me on a level of using the Adobe programs more than anything. I think that my own practices and work has helped me so much through out the years.

HMA: In terms of style and techniques what are your inspirations?

Brutal Disorder: The biggest inspirations to me are H.R. Giger, Tony Koehl and Phlegeton Art Studio. These three artists have amazed me in their work and always inspire me to reach their level of quality!

HMA: What is your set up like?

Brutal Disorder: My studio is my master PC at home which I have the Adobe Suite installed as well as other helpful programs such as Lightwave, Sketch-up, Corel, Terragan and I did have GIMP but I don’t use it anymore. As far as logos I sketch them, re-trace them with a black china ink pen. I scan it, edit it on Photoshop and lastly add effects to it! With artwork, it all depends on the results; I almost never start an album cover with knowing what I’m doing. It always happens at the moment of editing my images and unifying them.

HMA: What are you currently working on?

Brutal Disorder: I recently finished the load of work and I have several small logo orders but the biggest projects I have underway is a Web Design (which will be my first!) with Courting Baphomet, a CD layout with Coathanger Abortion, and another layout with Atra Vetosus.

HMA: Do you have any exhibitions or special events programmed for the future?

Brutal Disorder: None planned yet but I hope to have some soon!

HMA: Thanks Antonio for your time and look forward to more killer and brutal art from Brutal Disorder?

Brutal Disorder: I simply thank you so much for the interview and a great honor to work with another great designer such as yourself! All I can say is that Brutal Disorder Logos is advancing every year and eventually I’ll even consider doing a mini tour across the world showing my work and getting to meet all the amazing bands I’ve worked with! Also my dream vacation is London 😉 I’ve dreamed of going ever since I was young…my plan is to go within 2 years or less! See you soon! Haha.

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