INTERVIEW WITH 
HECTOR RUIZ
August 19, 2017
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Hector Ruiz is a freelance concept artist and illustrator from Dallas, Texas. He’s currently working with his mentor as a creative assistant on a site called, Big Bad World of Concept Art, which provides educational resources for young artists and enthusiasts looking to become concept artists in the entertainment industry. Hector has also done work for individual clients and outsource studios. 



As an artist, what inspires you to create science fiction?
What inspires me is the possibility of what could become reality. When you think about all the technology that has been inspired and made by watching science fiction movies, you really don’t have a limit to what you can do. Even if something’s not possible today, it is just a matter of time before we figure it out. I’ve also had a passion for space since, as a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. The aspect of discovery is fascinating to me.

What sci-fi books, movies, or artists have made a lasting impression on you?
Some of the first movies I saw that made an impression were the original Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, 2001 Space Odyssey, The Fifth Element, and Blade Runner. They were so ahead of their game and still make waves today. At an early age, I also read a lot of technology magazines and science articles. I still remember the time I read about a phone in the future that didn’t need to be connected with a wire, and you could talk to love ones in video (I know I’m aging myself a bit, but that made me so excited about future technology). Now, everyone takes video chat on a phone for granted.

When it comes to artists, I was very drawn to Dylan Cole (who I studied under a short online mentorship), David Levy, Stephan Martiniere, Syd Mead, Maciej Kuciara and Jama Jurabaev (who I also took an online mentorship from), Eliott Lilly (who has been mentoring me and has become a personal friend), and several science fiction illustrators. There are so many since each one has played a part in shaping the way I create things.

Other than art and science fiction, what are you most passionate about?
I am really passionate about science and technology. I have a very curios mind which helps in being an artist. Recently, I’ve been getting more familiar with virtual reality as a means to create an immersive world. I’m also passionate about music. At an early age my parents enrolled me in music classes to keep me busy, active, and learning. The two instruments I stuck with the most were the piano and guitar, although if I had the chance, I would own just about every kind of instrument I could fit in my studio.

When it comes to the future, what’s your outlook for humanity—Utopian, Dystopian, or a Little of Both?
I lean on a little of both, with a bigger emphasis on a Dystopian outlook. You can’t have one without the other in my opinion. I think that the presence of one culture will affect the other, so things alternate in cycles. Although we long to see and live in a perfect world, there will always be an opposing force that eventually takes over. It’s a constant struggle.

If you could turn one future technology from concept to reality, which would it be?
This one is a tough one for me, as I keep thinking of the pros and cons of having a technology that can be both beneficial and dangerous. For now, I’ll stick with AI friendly super computers that can facilitate one’s daily life, like Jarvis from Iron Man. Could you image how cool it would be to interact with that?

With regards to intelligent life—not fauna in general—which statement do you think is most likely to be true? A.) There is an abundance of intelligent life in the universe; B.) The universe is a big place, but intelligent life is scarce; or C.) Other than mankind and our creations, there is no intelligent life to be found in this universe.
I would have to go with this A. It’s hard to believe that we’re the only special species in the entire universe. We’re only a speck of dust compared to what we’ve seen and what we haven’t seen.

What concept or idea do you think is often overlooked in modern science fiction (books, movies, or TV)?
Humans are often depicted as the most special thing in the universe, and a change would be an interesting idea.

Other than physics-defying, giant fiery explosions and sound in space (which is done for audience enjoyment), which ideas/concepts do you think are most often misrepresented in modern science fiction?
Maybe the way creatures are portrayed, and how everyone speaks English. I understand why science fiction writers, Hollywood movies, and artists do this. But, if there were more intelligent species out there, we would be the ones to adopt their customs as we would be the lower species.

Name at least one other digital artist whose work you admire.
David Levy, Stephan Martiniere, Dylan Cole, Scott Robertson, Neville Page, Doug Chiang, Raphael Lacoste, Tyruben Ellingson, Syd Mead, George Hull, Maciej Kuciara, Jama Jurabaev, And many more…
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Explorers
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Base Environment
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Moon Base
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The Arrival
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Arctic Base
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Temple