Dino Latoga
www.toiletpark.tk

DL: My name is Dino Latoga and I'm a freelance web and graphic designer. Right now I'm still studying and I'm taking up Computer Programming. I have a girlfriend. My dog just died 2 days ago. I live with my parents right now. I design using a PC with a Pentium II Processor,266 MHZ 192 MB of memory. Outdated but I think it's more productive than those of others.

Where are you from?
I live in a small town called San Fernando here in the province of La Union, Philippines.

Design education:
I really didn't go to a design school or art school or anything. It was all self study. I surfed the web for e-books and photoshop tutorials or anything that can help me. My sister gave me this photoshop 6 book and I guess I learned mostly what I know right now from it. But it was all practice, experiment and dedication to what you are doing. I usually visit sites with really good designs. The one site that inspired me most was halfproject.

How did you start out as an artist and designer?
When I was still a little boy I used to fill the back pages of my notebook with drawings. Well i guess it was a hobby or more of a past time. I'm really new in (web/graphic) designing. I just started designing at the year 2001. I began making my own posters and some desktop wallpapers. Then I tried to make a design for a t-shirt. I even submitted a design for threadless(.com). Yeah. I do what I want to design.

What do you find inspiring?
Halfproject (http://www.halfproject.com) really inspired me. The first time I saw it, I knew I'm gonna do this. I knew I'm gonna design my own web too.

What is your favorite PC game and why?
I'm not really into PC games but I think I find the Sims amazing. I also like network games like StarCraft and Red Alert because I get to play with my friends. I also play Heroes of Might and Magic before. Well it's an old game but I think I find it cool.

What do you see in the future for flash?
Flash, for me, changed the way the web looks and works. I think every browser in the near future will be installed with a flash player. Flash, like the Matrix will conquer the web.

What do you do besides art?
I'm a guitarist in a band. We play cover songs from System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, Incubus and KoRn. Well besides that I study some programming languages like XML, PHP, Turbo C and Visual Basic in school.

What do you know about Hawaii design/designers?
I haven't seen yet a Hawaiian design but I think when I see one I know will like it.

Your website is very unique, what inspired you to create it?
Me, my cousins and my brother got these stupid very "raw" drawings on paper and we thought of publishing it so I made a website for it (www.toiletpark.tk). I was inspired by a local Filipino site, kubori kikiam (kuborikikiam.com).

What do you like/hate about the net?
The net is full of information and you don't have to go to the library anymore (in my case) to search for homeworks. Hehe. Sometimes the net contain useless information and that's what I don't like about it. Porn pollutes our mind.

Do you think that Flash is cool or overused?
I think Flash is cool. I think every unit should be installed with a flash player. The flash gave the web a different amazing look.

What's your favorite drink?
Strong beer and Tequilla. I like something that makes me horny. hehe.

PDC: Wha?!! **cough..cough..**

What software do you currently use that you would like to see changed and why?
I'm contented with the softwares that I use right now.

What are your bad personal and design habits?
Sometimes when I need to work on something and I get sleepy or lazy, I leave the work and do it the next day.

Design styles you dislike:
I don't know. I guess every designer has his own style.

How would you like to be remembered?
When I die?

PDC: Wha...??? Dude..you're freaken killing me...hahahaha!

Do you have any new projects coming up that you can tell us about?
Well I'll be doing a website redesign with two of my friends for a municipality here in La Union.

You being from the Philippines, what are your thoughts of the designers there?
The Filipino designer is one of the greatest designers around the world. That is a fact and I'm proud to be a Pilipino.

Final comments:
I know I don't deserve to be interviewed here but hey, thanx for the man! This is really a fun experience.

Other Sites:
sideproject.wyldnation.org
dudedino.deviantart.com

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