For the latest of our PRO interview series we’ve had he honour of asking titles designer Danny Yount, from Prologue, some questions. Check out his amazing showreel and we’ll get started immediatly after:

This is kind of an obligatory question always – How did you get started in all things creative? And how did you break in the industry?

I did not really know where to start, I just knew I wanted to be a designer. So I started buying magazines and reading books on the subject. Back then the mac had just gotten started as a tool in design so I bought one and started learning as much as I could. I could not afford art college so I tried teaching myself. It took a long time for me to learn but the journey was worth it as I don’t have a student loan to pay off.

Without a formal education the only way I could get noticed was to make a portfolio that was unlike anyone else’s, so I made an interactive one that was mailed on a floppy disk (this was around 1991). But I was also lucky in that I was mentored by some good people who saw a lot of potential in me. I will never forget that and always try to do the same with people who want to really learn and aren’t afraid to work hard.

And how did you set out to think opening titles was something you wanted to focus on, did that occur naturally, by circunstances, or you are always thinking about that from a long time ago?

I was doing a lot of boring print design for corporate clients when I started learning how to edit and animate videos and motion graphics. It was around that time that I had heard about a title called Seven by Kyle Cooper. Back then the internet had not taken shape with videos so it took me a while to actually see the title in motion. When I did it blew my mind and from then on I wanted to be a title designer.

Obviously every project is different, but how do you approach designing a movie or TV titles? What is your process? Is there a big difference in the process if it’s TV or feature film?

Film titles are really like anything else in design – you have role in a production that someone is authoring and they give you a visual communication problem to solve. Most titles are music driven and have to fit the film, so I start there – finding music that works. I usually start doing a motion test to see if the idea fits.

Your thoughts on opening vs end titles? And is there one you rather than the other?

Opening are better by far but anything on film is good, so I’m fine either way. One thing about end titles though is that they are a real test if you have done a good job or not – it’s a good feeling to see people stay seated to watch them.

This will be a difficult answer for sure as you have such great body of work, but what are the titles you’re most proud of?

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and the Iron Man end credits. Those are my favorite so far. They were also very fun to do. Also Rock N Rolla. Six Feet Under I’m also proud of but that was a long time ago.

What are your favourite titles that you’ve seen recently but weren’t involved in?

I thought the Scott Pilgrim titles were fun.

About Six Feet Under, such an iconic and amazing titles, we’re curious at the director’s cut (animated type) – a very subtle difference but even makes it better, can you tell us a bit about it, why it wasn’t the one used and such?

The client thought they were too much – too gimmicky. I liked them a lot and thought they communicated well – they were meant to look like ashes.

And how about working on big blockbuster movies such as Tron: Legacy, Iron Man, Sherlock, does that give you an extra pressure and/or satisfaction, or the processo is pretty much the same?

Less satisfaction I think. Less room to breathe and explore. More politics. Same process but more pressure. Larger audience though so more recognition.

Can you tell us some upcoming work we’ll be seeing form you either in the big or the small screen?

End titles for Thor.

(Ed. Note: Here’s the Thor trailer, just for reference!)

What is your dream project?

I want to build a small art studio in the woods someday.

What advice would you give to up and coming talent and people starting out?

Don’t take it too seriously – life is so much more than just work and pride. Be a giver and not just a taker. Treat people well. But enjoy what you do and take advantage of every opportunity. Life only allows a handful of them. Learn from everything and everyone.

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Alright, that’s it for another PRO interview. And, once again, we got some really great, insightful, answers, and for sure inspiration and good advice for creatives.

We’d like to thank Danny for his time in answering these, and we are looking forward to his future projects and art coming from his studio in the woods :D