Pixel perfect

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Richard May is one of the most sought-after editorial illustrators in the land. And, as co-founder of quirky online design portal Pixelsurgeon, there’s always a hint of mischief in his work.

border=0 /><BR></div> </p> <p> “Haphazard”. That’s the one word Richard May uses to sum up his creative process. Despite this off-kilter approach (or perhaps because of it), he’s made a considerable contribution to the creative community in his 29 years. Not only has he risen to the top of the freelance illustration tree, he also co-founded Pixelsurgeon, an online design portal with an unusually wide remit and a cheeky sense of humour. </p> <p> “A lot of the other design portals out there were just so samey, and above all lacked any sense of humour,” he says of Pixelsurgeon’s genesis. It was founded by May, and two fellow creatives: Rina Cheung and Jason Arber. </p> <p> “It’s not like Pixelsurgeon was strikingly original when we launched, but the first thing we did was set up Web cams for public access and then just dossed around in our underpants and ate cereal. For some reason, that brought the traffic in – especially when Rina started flashing her bits.” </p> <p> However, this approach has the potential to backfire, as Pixelsurgeon have found: “If you’re one of the unlucky few who tuned in a few years ago only to recoil in horror at the sight or Arber and Rina shagging on camera, keep it to yourself.” </p> <p> Sexual mishaps aside, Pixelsurgeon has gone from strength to strength, taking on more contributors and making plenty of talented friends. “Pixelsurgeon now has a much broader remit,” says May. “And although we’re still – in essence – a design portal of sorts, the couldn’t-give-a-fuck, say-whatever-we-want ethos is still alive and kicking.” </p> <p> <div class=inlineimage><img src=Share

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