Pick up the latest print edition of The Buzzer and you’ll have seen the creative work of Marc Ramos a Filipino artist and graduate of Emily Carr University of Art + Design’s animation program. Marc’s illustration sets the stage for our Tap to Pay campaign, as well as packages up valuable information on Spring Service Changes and updates to Metrotown Station.

We asked Marc a few questions to learn a little more about him as an illustrator.

Tell us about yourself!

Currently, I’m working in the animation industry as a 2D Layout Artist at Atomic Cartoons. I was fortunate to get a job in this industry right after graduation. I like playing basketball, playing the drums and guitar, photography and film making and drawing of course! And I also really like cats and dogs.

What gets you inspired when you’re creating?

Whether I’m working on something or am thinking of working on something, music, especially ambient music, helps me visualize and feel inspired to create.

What are your favourite subjects to illustrate?

I really enjoy drawing funny characters, but lately I’ve been interested in illustrating through storyboards, as we call them, documenting some of the interesting things that happen in my daily life.

Tell us about your illustration for the latest print Buzzer?

This illustration represents a first person view inside the SkyTrain with a number of passengers riding comfortably on it. If you’ve seen my Instagram profile, I do a lot of sketching inside the SkyTrain and that was the driving force for this illustration. I wanted it to look like it was drawn by me while on the SkyTrain.

What are your artist tools of choice?

I use my graphics tablet at home a lot these days, but whenever I get the chance to draw on the train, it’s either a fine tip pen, a broad tip pen, a ballpoint pen or a pencil.

What has been some of your favourite projects you’ve created?

The projects I am most proud of would be the animation projects I did when I was in my second year of animation school. Homework may not sound nice to some, but I really did enjoy doing those.

What are some of the fun projects you’re working on now?

Besides my daily life documentation through storyboards, I’m making video montages at the moment using my smartphone. Most of what I’ve captured so far has been the nice views on the skytrain between Edmonds and New Westminster station and on the Fraser River. Hopefully, I get good enough at making these videos so I can proudly post them on my Instagram later on.

What is your favourite mode of transit?

Hands down the Skytrain. You can’t really go wrong with the views.

Do you have any fun plans for Spring?

To be honest, I don’t really have definite “fun” plans for the Spring just yet. I plan on getting more fit. I guess we can call that a fun plan?

Thanks so much Marc for taking the time to give us a glimpse into your life as an artist! We look forward to seeing your video montages and all other creative work in the future!

Grab your copy of The Buzzer on SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express and buses before they’re gone or download it here.

Interested in becoming an illustrator for The Buzzer? Shoot us an email at thebuzzer@translink.ca.

Author: Sarah Kertcher