Art of Design

My good friend Heidy Garay interviewed me and others discussing the intersections of art and design. She created this thesis blog as a part of her graduate studies at Pratt. Please peruse at your leisure. Also, check out Mikell Fine Iles' interview. It is packed with thoughtful insights and clarity. Heidy, thank you for the opportunity, it was fun. Check out the interview here.

Premium Goods Collaboration!

They are here! If you're in Brooklyn, stop by Premium Goods on 5th Ave in Park Slope and pick up this tee. Look out for the Houston & Premium Goods t-shirts soon.

Yep!

I created this type design a while back and shared it with a few friends. Now it's time to share it with the internets.

Let Gap Evolve.

Hi Friends,

I’m upset that people have so much to say about any rebrand or redesign. Some are not great, some are tweaks on the previous logos and some are amazing. The new gap logo (well, dead logo) to me is about two clicks past the old design if we used a logo dial. People in general are adverse to change and especially now. Most people will never like anything new because in some weird way, when brands evolve and they haven’t, then it reminds us of how much in rut we are in. So next time you’re mad about something evolving, instead of talking trash, look at your life and evolve for god’s sake! The only thing we can learn from Gap’s most recent issues, is how not be cowards and stick to our guns. It’s all we got! I like the new logo. It’s not amazing but it’s refreshed and b/c that gap jean jacket have is now vintage.

One more thing: Logos were never meant to be the whole campaign. Unless for short term projects or promotions. Corporate logos are the punctuation and the brand is the sentence that comes before it. Logos don’t have to do as much heavy lifting as they did in the past b/c the environment the logo lives in is what everybody cares about. As with Gap. I know when I go to a Gap Store, they have the basics and every so often a really nice shirt. Gap is affordable and utilitarian with a pinch of style. This new logo and the previous both say that to me. So you* think you* could have designed the logo because it’s simple. Guess what Jay-Z makes rapping seem effortless. They make it look easy b/c they are that good! And there’s more to a logo that just it’s form. Make room for new designs and embrace a new illusion or a refreshed one.

Picture above taken from Fast Company's Design Blog.
www.fastcodesign.com

All Year Round Hoodie Weather

So, this my second post on hoodies and I think my last, I'm kinda hoodied out. Remember when I posted the off the shelf hoodie, well above is it's more expensive cousin. Whatevs.

You know how all those trendhumpers started rockn' all over print tees and sweatshirts. Yeah, they were usually accompanied by another trend like bracelets inspired by the opening credits for Saved By The Bell. It was cool at first then you realize your 30 and you really don't want to bring anymore attention to yourself by wearing a pattern of primates all over your chest and back. Simultaneously, you figure out you're truely jealous because Nigo wasn't making cool ish when you were a kid and everything goes back on the rack and you walk out of the boutique not really knowing what you've become. Sigh. Well I got the opportunity to counter all the ridiculousness, by designing the official KCA hoodie for 2008. I decided to put all hot graphix on the inside, leaving the outside clean like Massimo Vignelli. OH SNAP! You wouldn't rock your organs on top of your skin... would you? This hoodie was created for the KCA's of 2008 and even though it wasn't as dope as Chris Brown's, I assure you there are no blatant logo violations. Actually Chris can only wear his once and feel appropriate, while you can wear this til you're old and 30. Say Word.

Seems the joke is on you Chris! The leather and platinum encrusted sweatshirt has an expiration date. 20G's down the drain! Hahahaha. Or maybe the joke is me b/c I'm typing this right now in my cube with my timeless hoodie on. A mere parting gift for not being better at life. Nah, I'm cool... don't touch me... I'm cool, I'm cool

Off The Shelf Hoodie also Found to be Off tha Chain!

I feel like in the year 2025, we as humans will have compromised the mother ert enough so that it will be all year round hoodie weather. Whoo-hoo! This will then end the beloved tradition of shirts and skins and start a new tradition of sweatshirt classicism. The debates will grow to include cashmere and velour? I think you get it, we are screwed! But it's the year of 2008, hoodies are only partly year round and it's close to the Kids' Choice Awards. Oh Snap! Pictured is the less expensive but equally dope KCA Hoodie. Ish is kinda crackn' if I do say so myself. Get you some!