Dimex
Diseño Mexicano
San Bernardino, California - USA

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Art come ins different shapes and forms - art is human creativity and like writing, it also can describe the author. Dimex was brought to the USA, from MÈxico, at the age of 7. From his memories as a child in México. Christian Vidaurrazaga (dimex) describes his experiences and memories through illustration and graphic design. From favorite classical MÈxican icons, his works range from illustrations of La Virgen de Guadalupe, El Santos, Jose Jose, Cri Cri, and many others . He also gives some tips on how to stay focused when learning graphic programs or illustration. He also designed some banners for our web site. Check out his interview below and get a glimpse of this Mexican artists point of view.

LaUnion1910 : Can you give us a brief on who you are and where you come from?

Dimex : Dimex means DiseÒos Mexicanos. Dimex is a design firm and clothing company that bases it self on three things art, culture and love. I started Dimex three years ago when I began doing Graphic Design. Before that it was all about painting and drawing doing things the old fashion way, but when it came to pick a career I choose Graphics without even knowing what I was getting into. I fell in love with it and have just dedicated my time to getting better. I was born in Guaymas, Sonora Mexico, came to the United States when I was 7 years old and just hated it. I felt isolation and loneliness in this country, without the same customs, without the same beliefs and without the same culture I felt misplaced and lost. So I looked to art for pass time and for expression and opened up a whole new world for me.

LaUnion1910 : We read on your profile that your art is influenced by Mexican culture - What are some of the key graphic elements to portray the Mexican culture?

Dimex : My art has been influenced by Mexican culture since day one. When I started Dimex my first and and recent designs have been about that, and plan on keeping it like that throughout. Some of the key graphic elements would be history, icons and culture. First of all History for its tales and their characters, the rise and fall of the Mexica Empire, the Mexican Independence, the Mexican revolution and the conflicts that are up and coming till this day. Second of all Icons would be another graphical element, Mexica gods that were worshiped before Catholicism was adapted in their lives, Mexican Independence icons as portrayed in history books, revolutionary heroes that have not been mentioned or known to the Hispanic community in the United States and worldwide, somehow the only ones that are well know to our community are the generals Zapata and Villa and the revolution is not based only on them. And last of all is culture and anything that has to do with it. I have seen many clothing companies portraying different things like Chicano power or stuff like Aztec pride things that I know what they mean but canπt really relate to it. I think my message is more educational and reminiscent of things you might of forgot maybe a tale or character your grandpa told you about when you were little. These three influential elements have inspired me to come up with a style and a message.

LaUnion1910 : You have illustrations on different Mexican artists - some that are not in common TV shows or radio stations - how do you keep connected and informed on the Mexican icons?

Dimex : These artists are Dimex, or as I call them pop Icons are what I either grew up listening to or characters I have learned about in history class when I lived in Mexico. The ones I remember about are the ones I have done art with but there is also lots of them that I didnπt even know about, these are the ones that I have the most fun with because I learn a little more about Mexicoπs culture. The way I keep informed on these pop icons are by Internet, books, TV and family members, they are my biggest source since they live there most of their life. Every year I try to go to Mexico and just reconnect because once you live here you become really Americanized and loose lotπs of tradition, Iπm the type of person that always said ≥Iπm going to try my best not to get influenced by American culture≤ next thing I know I already was. These icons will live forever as long as they are handed down throughout the generations.

LaUnion1910 : What is your artistic approach? What type of mindset are you in when you are designing?

Dimex : My artistic approach is towards the Hispanic/Latino community, itπs amazing how fast itπs growing and I see lots of potential in its growth and throughout time history will be lost and Iπm here to remind you of it and to be proud of it. When I design my mind is set on the message and what I want to portray, what colors to use, how is it going to be laid out and the details that are going to depict what you are looking at. I try to surround myself with cultural images; if you walk in my office you would see paintings, statues and adornments with the same message of inspiration culture and tradition.

LaUnion1910 : What software do you use? And what do you recommend to those people that are learning design programs?

Dimex : The Softwareπs I used mostly are Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop I do plan my idea before I start the transition to the computer. My recommendation to all new artists is to practice and to try to become better at what you do everyday. When I went to school I didnπt know anything about computers but as soon as I understood how the programs worked I bought myself an Apple computer and practiced everyday after school. Try internships with big companies that house older and more experience artist, you could learn a lot from these people they are the teachers of the new generation.

LaUnion1910 : Who are some of your favorite Latino Artists?

My favorite artists that influence me a lot in my designs are Diego Rivera because of his huge murals and his historical portraits that to this point are fresh to look at when you travel around Mexico and the United States, for his way showing the people of Mexico in a time of change what country they lived in and itπs beautiful culture. Jesus Helguera, many people donπt know who he is but people know his for his really popular calendar paintings that are in every Mexican meat market and grocery stores in the Hispanic communities, the creator of Cuathemoc, El Flechador, La Patria, Esperanza de Campesinos and Ofrienda del Idolo among the most popular paintings. His art is skillful and precise, detailed and executed to perfection, his colors, and style of depicting life in Mexican Culture. Last and not least all the artist who drew and painted the codexπs that tell the history of the Mexica empire because without it we wouldnπt have a written documentation of the founding of the great empire. These artists are my favorite they are the interpreters of art to the fullest in Mexico.

 

LaUnion1910 : Can you give us some of your tips on illustration? How and when did you start drawing?

Dimex : Some of my tips in Illustration would be to find your style and develop it until you feel comfortable in illustrating, thereπs nothing more fun then working when you are doing what you love. I stared drawing when I was 7 and started taking classes when I was in high school, I drew everyday, I have so many old drawings from when I was younger Iπm 22 right now do the math. The reason I started was because when I was younger I didnπt fit it, I was the guy in ESL classes in school, didnπt dress in style, my hair wasnπt cut every week and I didnπt like hip-hop I wasnπt Americanized yet so I was weird in their eyes and not cool I guess, but I thank them because they are part of what made me the way I am. Everything happens for a reason, right? So I drew to pass time and to express my thoughts.

LaUnion1910 : Tell us about your website dimex1.com? What are your thoughts on the Internet?

Dimex : I finished my website a couple of months ago, itπs just a rough draft of what I want it to be. It will be redesign shortly when I get a chance. But it puts out the message for now, I tried my best designing it but Iπm not a web guy thereπs lotπs of things I donπt know how to do but want to add to it. In the future itπs going to have a store where you could purchase the line of clothes, and the art. I had been wanting to have a site up ever since I started designing I just had to wait until I had enough experience and work to put up, I think itπs a perfect way to show your work and get lotπs of feedback from the people. My Space alone is a huge network, where you could do this and it opens doors to many great things. We are in the Technology era and we need to take advantage of it because sooner or later we will be in a different era.

LaUnion1910 : What are your thoughts on the Latin market? Do you think our market is represented well?

Dimex : The Latino is getting spread widely rapidly and itπs opening doors to new talented people who before didnπt get a chance. Some people are with it and some are opposed to it, these are the people we got to watch out for, although I donπt think they can do anything. Our market is being represented really well in a way that through out the years that I have lived here it has changed constantly, itπs not ≥letπs go to Taco Bell to go eat some Mexican food itπs letπs go to Tacos Mexico or Albertos≤. Our Traditions and culture are being kept well but it still has to be washed out a little so it can be Americanized enough for the Latin community or they wonπt fully understand it.

LaUnion1910 : What music inspires you?

Dimex : All kinds of music inspire me from old Mariachi music to the crazy sound of accordions in a norteÒo group. I like Hip-hop, Rock, Rock en EspaÒol, NorteÒas, Banda Sinaloense, Tambora, Marimba, Bachata, Classical, Cumbia, old Mexican love music like Jose Jose, Ill listen to everything and if I havenπt heard of it ill give it a try.

LaUnion1910 : What are your goals in the next 5 years?

Dimex : I have lots of goals for the future. Some are, to have the clothing line selling all over the world and my message spread throughout. I want to get better at what I do and hopefully inspire other artist to follow the movement.

LaUnion1910 : Thank you for the banners you designed for the web site. What was your approach on the banners ?

Dimex : Your welcome. Well the approach towards the banners are simple representing mexican folklore with the image of javier Solis, pre-columbian art with the skeletons showing death as a main factor in our customs basically showing that we celebrate death instead of mourning it we party in times like this. The last one is more for the people, the simple citizen, humble worker, father and provider. Hope you guys like them. Thanks again for everything.

LaUnion1910 : Thank you for the interview and giving us an inside of what you do - any last comments?

Dimex : You're very welcome, and thank you guys for having me. My last comments would be to stay focused and follow your dreams work hard and honestly for them. That we have lots of people looking forward for us to succeed thatπs the reason why we are here and that is the reason why your parents brought you to this country.