James Cuda: How to Create Beautiful Software!

Summary

James, co-founder of Savage and the mind behind Procreate, shares his journey from a self-proclaimed 'bad illustrator' to a passionate advocate for creativity. Initially directionless, he discovered digital art and pursued a diploma in graphic design, leading to his first company focused on branding and web development. Disillusioned with client work, he yearned for creative freedom, sparking the creation of Procreate. James discusses the importance of intuition in design, the iterative development process at Savage Interactive, and the philosophy of shipping only when the internal quality bar is met. He also reflects on the fear of failure and the significance of listening to one's inner voice to achieve personal and professional fulfillment.

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Q & A

What was James' initial career path before co-founding Savage and developing Procreate?

James initially pursued traditional art, painting in oils and watercolors, with aspirations to sell his art in galleries. He later transitioned into digital art, earning a diploma and freelancing as a graphic designer.

What triggered James' move towards digital art and starting his own company?

James discovered digital art around the year 2000, which led him to pursue a diploma and start freelancing as a graphic designer. His dissatisfaction with the client model in traditional art and design work, along with a desire for creative freedom, prompted him to start his own company focused on creating quality software.

How did the idea for Procreate originate?

The idea for Procreate was born out of James' passion for art and his realization of the potential in the digital art space. He wanted to create a product that allowed for limitless creativity without the constraints of traditional art mediums or client-based work.

Who are the key figures behind the development of Procreate?

James, the co-founder of Savage and an artist by passion, led the design aspect. Lloyd, a talented engineer, was instrumental in the technical and performance engineering of Procreate. Alana, James' wife, was involved in the commercial side of the business.

What is James' role in the creation of brushes for Procreate?

James is intricately involved in the design process of Procreate, including the creation of brushes. He still enjoys making the brushes, which are a core part of the software, and the flexibility of Procreate's engine allows him to surface the power of the software in a user-friendly way.

How does James approach the design process for Procreate?

James approaches the design process with a deep intuition developed from years of observation and synthesis of the world around him. He believes in the importance of iteration and exploration, allowing for many mistakes and learnings along the way to refine the product.

What is the 'savage' development process like at Savage Interactive?

The development process at Savage Interactive is likened to creating music, where ideas are discussed and built upon collaboratively. Unlike traditional software development methodologies, Savage Interactive focuses on creating software that 'feels good' to use, with an iterative and evolutionary approach to feature development.

How does James handle the fear of failure in his creative and business endeavors?

James overcomes the fear of failure by acknowledging that fear is a mental construct and not a tangible outcome. He encourages listening to one's inner voice and following one's heart, despite external pressures or the risk of failure, to achieve satisfaction and happiness.

What is James' perspective on the role of an artist in the field of software development?

James views software development, particularly in creating software like Procreate, as an art form. He believes that there's an artistry in crafting beautiful software that enables users to create beautiful art.

Does James still engage in personal art creation, and if so, what does his art typically involve?

James still engages in personal art creation, although he is currently exploring his unique style and enjoys the process of creation. His artwork includes sketches, interface ideas, and icon designs, reflecting his diverse interests and the design process.