Shane Walter is the co-founder of onedotzero, which since 1996 has been at the forefront of digital design and culture.
Working in multiple disciplines, onedotzero reaches 65 cities and 250,000 people around the world with a combination of festivals, public events and publishing projects, as well as an education programme for emerging talent. It brings together interactive, web, graphics, gaming, illustration, fashion, club visuals, street art, installations, architecture and more.
Walter himself is a producer, curator, speaker and writer. He’s commissioned and produced award-winning short films and animations and produced and directed two Channel Four series of onedottv. He co-curated the successful V&A exhibtion Decode: Digital DesignSensations, which showcases the latest in digital and interactive design, from small screen graphics to large scale installations. He’s also a speaker, presenter, chair and jury member for international film festivals, design conferences and awards.
What made you decide to be a multi-disciplinary producer/director?
I didn’t wake up one day and decide. It happened very organically, led as much by what I didn’t want to do as by my interests. I was, and am, driven by a passion for and an interest in art, design and entertainment. That covers a broad area and because I’m untrained I’ve been open to varied opportunities to learn and experience.
What are you working on right now?
The annual onedotzero adventures in motion festival at the BFI Southbank, a celebration of digital creativity.
In the run-up to the event we have onedotzero cascade, our award-winning education platform.
I’m also in the final stages of finishing a book, Re-imagining the City, due at the end of 2011, about the changes in cities across South East Asia, and how designers and artists can engage with them.
Which of your projects are you most proud of?
There are so many, from new talent project Bloom with MTV to the Decode exhibition at the V&A. The heart of what we do is the festival that has spun out many other projects. From our Channel Four series onedottv to the Motion Blur books, onedotzero DVD label and countless new commissions launching the careers of hundreds of fresh talents worldwide.
A particular highlight has been the educational work we do, especially onedotzero cascade. We know how challenging it is to get your first break. Cascade gives soft skills, a diverse network for future collaborations and industry contacts. Unlike many other graduate initiatives, it’s free. In return for the huge amounts of energy, and creativity, the ‘cascaders’ get a stepping-stone between learning and working.
Who or what inspires you?
I work with so many inspiring people. And I take huge inspiration from the people I meet while traveling.
Cities inspire me – the collision of ideas and creatives mean they’re the places where big things happen. I have severe wanderlust and get to visit 15-20 cities a year, but I still find London one of the most exciting.
Which designer’s work do you admire?
Everything from the classic consistency of Charles and Ray Eames to the sex-meets-architecture of Oscar Niemeyer. Also, the philosophy, thinking and practice of the Bauhaus is still an inspiration.