Mr. Tinney created his first JDR Microdevices catalog cover for our tenth anniversary catalog in 1989. Since then, his amusing designs have graced nearly sixty JDR catalogs. You'll also see Tinney's collection of animated characters scattered throughout our web site, hopefully making your visit to jdr.com even more enjoyable!

Mr. Tinney has been creating imaginative artworks for the computer industry for over twenty years, beginning with the cover of BYTE magazine in December, 1975. Besides JDR Microdevices, Tinney's clients include Motorola, Ford Aerospace, QNX Software, Actel, Inc., and many more. His images are among the most recognized in the computer industry, having been shown at the prestigious Computer Museum in Boston, and he has received numerous awards for the technical excellence and inspired themes of his illustrations.

Tinney creates his memorable images amidst the bayous and live oaks of Cajun Louisiana, in studios occupying the upper story of an historic, antebellum country home which he and his wife Susan are working to restore.

A Brief Q & A with Robert Tinney

Question: Where do you get your ideas?

Tinney: I like to create covers for JDR that are entertaining and humorous for JDR customers. I really think this sets JDR apart from other companies, who tend to bombard customers with the hard sell right from the cover, all the way through the catalog. At the same time, of course, we try to convey a timely message about the current state of the art in computers, and the many advantages that JDR has to offer discriminating computer buyers and IS professionals. If I can achieve humor, or several levels of meaning, all the better. What I really like to produce is a simple, clean image -- something that hits the viewer quickly -- but which conveys subtle levels of meaning in an intriguing and entertaining way.

Question: Are your images computer generated?

Tinney: Since I've been working in the computer field for so many years, and since my illustrations are usually crisp, detailed and very 3- dimensional, many people assume that I use computer graphics. The truth is that I've only started using a PC for my art work quite recently; nearly all of the images my fans are familiar with were produced using traditional media. My favorite medium is Designer's Gouache, which is a very opaque, high- quality water color. Not only does Designer's Gouache deliver brilliant, flat colors ideal for color separations, but the smooth, milky consistency of the paint works wonderfully with an airbrush. It is with the airbrush that I can achieve all those eye-fooling 3-D effects. In recent years I have produced images and animations in 3-D Studio, and, of course, let's not forget the industry standard Adobe Photoshop. For some things -- type, for example -- you just can't beat computers; even when I'm using traditional media I will sometimes go to the computer for certain effects which would be time consuming or even impossible to do by hand.

Question: How do you usually work with a client?

Tinney: Typically, my client and I will discuss his or her specific requirements, and I'll quote a firm bid for the project. If I get the go-ahead, I'll proceed with several rough sketches of various ideas; these can be faxed pencil sketches, or small computer images sent via e-mail. The client and I will go through several iterations of these sketches, narrowing down to one final color sketch, which is approved by the client as the prototype for the final illustration.