We go Four for 4® with illustrator Joshua M. Smith, better known as Hydro74.


Joshua M. Smith / Illustrator / Hydro74
www.hydro74.com
www.legacyofdefeat.com

I am a very visual person. I look at things around me, from different design generations, to different sub cultures and find common ground with elements or ideas that inspire me as a designer to create something that I hope will be extremely useful at moving product as well as being something that years down the road, will find a spot in the timeless concepts of designers.  From Obey to Wes Humpston to Julie West to Greg Irons, each has put a mark on their spot in what they have done, or have created something that has captured my heart as a illustrator.  So the things I bring forward are a handful of the things that make me push my own limits and to serve as reminders of what can be done or developed or inspired from, no matter now tiny or massive the detail is. It is also the reason why I focus a lot more attention in the snowboard market than I do with the skateboard market because unlike skateboards, which is a disposable piece of art, easy to break or scrape off, the snowboard can take the test of time of that season. Much like a skateboard, the graphics define that individual with a sense of individual pride that you start to accessorize with boots, bindings, jackets, and so forth.  This, I have always respected and hope that I have designed something that the core boarder who buys this expensive board will find that relationship with it that boosts his sense of pride on the slopes, hills or backyards around any snow covered part of the world.

Giant Vs. Giant Signed Print
A few years back I was visiting Tribal Gear and Brisk (Graf Artist and works there as well) was showing the back room with pretty much the full entire history of Tribal Gear. He pulled this print out, which I believe there were only maybe 10 left and asked if I wanted one. Of course I wanted one. Since I’ve been designing, there have only been a few iconic designers who work seems to become timeless, which has always been a basis for what my goals are as a illustrator. I know this piece isn’t directly related to the snowboard market, however these two iconic masterminds have been among the inspiration that helped me to learn to create, define and develop a sense of fluid complexity. Granted they only take a small spot in my true inspirational, however I have yet to find a signed Greg Irons, Ed Roth, Wes Humpston or Jim Phillips that I can afford.


Brian Morris Signed Toy
I’ve had the pleasure of becoming ‘internet’ friend with Brian Morris via the Black in Black Apparel Gallery show that I masterminded with major assistance from a friend who ran the gallery side. His line work and themes are utterly impressive and has encouraged me to focus more on actual sketches than what I normally do, straight to digital. Each season during SIA or online before I became friends with Brian Morris, I thought I would see this amazing snowboard from him or some insane line he helped developed. I don’t believe he has yet, it’s in his future (Take this as a hint all you snowboard companies out there…). His work is too hard to ignore. So yeah, this toy, was in a box he sent to and it was seriously a meaningful gift that I cherish. To the point where I don’t want to take it out of the box. If only I could get enough together for a high end custom bust he builds…. Yeah, you got to check out his work if you don’t know what I’m talking about.


Obey Guitars
Not sure exactly when I saw this, but it was in Vegas during a SIA random after party. Some band was playing and of course, pretty drunk at the time, but I thought that was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. Not only was it a Obey Guitar, which was pretty rad to begin with, but it was a artist series. So of course, I became obsessive and searched high and low for it till I found a couple on Ebay for a decent price. I will admit, as you can tell already, I’m a sucker for Obey, but the idea of doing artist series guitars was something I envy and have as a special goal for myself. I do have something in the works with Suhr Guitars, but nothing I can show or talk too much about at the moment…


Endeavor Snowboards
This is actually one of the recent boards I did up for Endeavor for the Board of Directors. Not only was I stoked to do this for Max Jenke, but flattered to hear from him again. Back in early 2000 – 2002, Endeavor gave me this young designer a chance to work on a artist series, which was me. It was my first snowboard project and honestly, the project that all of a sudden made things just click together in my mind for illustration. Before that I was doing small projects for a few action sports clothing labels and minor web and print work. Nothing overly exciting, but enough to scrape together extra freelance cash to support my low paying job at Best Buy when I was between actual full time design positions. Endeavor, and that project with Mecha animals was really the core beginning for me in the snowboard market. Shortly after Fran Stoll who was over at K2 contacted me, then Ride, then Burton, and the list began to grow with LTD, Lamar, Never Summer, Rossignol and many others. So Max and Endeavor, and the fact they have me assist on other things from time to time has a special place in my career and have nothing but my utmost respect.