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Four For 4 With Joshua M. Smith / Hydro74

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:11:34 +0000

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.

Four For 4 With Jeff Staple

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:07:03 +0000

Jeff Staple, founder and creative director of Staple Design, takes time out of his busy schedule to let us know about four things that he’s down with at the moment.

Jeff Staple / Staple Design
www.stapledesign.com
www.todarrinhudson.com

Miniot Pure Mahogany iPhone 3G case
……customized for Staple Design. This is the perfect execution on how you make a great product better. The level of quality on this case is only rivaled by the iPhone itself. But it’s not obtuse at the same time. It compliments the device perfectly.

Honda Ruckus
This is the best form of transportation in NYC. It is the cheapest, fastest and most efficient. Hands down. If you’re traveling between Wall Street and Harlem, I can beat you there using this. It doesn’t matter if you take the subway, bus, taxi, your car, whatever…I will beat you there. And time is money, son.

Burton iDiom 2009 Board
One of the favorite things I have ever designed. iDiom is the capsule collection we design for Burton Snowboards in connection with Hiroshi Fujiwara and Fragment. This is what people must mean by “dream client”.

Peppermint Tea from the local cafe, 88 Orchard
I always feel a little guilty paying $2.00 for this. I can get 10 tea bags for like five bucks. But there is just something about the way they make it. Every morning: “Large Peppermint Tea with Honey to go.” It’s like clockwork.

Four For 4 With Marcus Troy

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:52:44 +0000

Tastemaker and blog luminary Marcus Troy let’s us know about four things that he’s feeling right now.

Marcus Troy / Passion Hunter, Culture agitator & Participant
www.marcustroy.com
www.twitter.com/marcustroy
www.vimeo/marcustroy
fatlace.com/stayfresh/marcustroy/
ctothejl.com/blogs/marcustroy

Gadgets – Canon 500D
I’m truly passionate about photography and capturing great moments in time. The fact that I am not a photographer I have the huge misconception that the better the camera the better the pictures so I am always out looking for the newest and baddest camera. The new Canon 500D turns me on and I think I could capture better moments in time with this by my side.

Leisure – World Monopoly
Over the holidays I picked up this dirty little habit of playing board games and I have to admit that it monopolizes most of my time when I am not working, blogging, traveling, writing, consulting, blogging,creating,contributing and participating and did I mention blogging. My friends and I try to get in as much monopoly as we can, we gather at my house with Vodka and Wine and play World Monopoly which is very intense and fun. This game is only credit cards , no paper money and you start off with 15 million dollars! Montreal is on the map and it is the most expensive spot on the board. If ever you want to play my famous game of world Monopoly come holla!

Fashion – Levis x 686 Collaboration Snowboard Pants
I decided that this year I was going to go snowboarding at least 10 times and being the fashion guy that I think I am, I have to do it in style and show off my limited edition sensibilities. I was blessed with a pair of the Levis x 686 snowboard pants and I think they are super dope and fresh because they look like denim and fit like my favorite pair of jeans. The box itself is made of selvage denim which makes the collabo even more impressive.

Travel – Gucci La Pelle Guccissima Duffle bag
There is something very luxurious and stylish about this La pelle guccissima duffel bag. I can’t help but think about the song “duffel bag boy” when I see a luxury duffel bag, I always think its full of cash but it is usually filled with my undergarments and macbook. I like traveling in style and this duffel bag does the trick just fine.

Four For 4 With Leslie WRG

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:21:06 +0000

Leslie WRG takes a break from jetsetting to let us know about four things that he’s down with right now.

Leslie WRG / Design.Marketing.Music.Consulting.Blogger.Tastemaker.Visionary.Hustler.
www.twitter.com/lesliewrg
www.wrgmag.com
www.montrealstateofmind.com

Communication
So I’m cheating a bit but Macbook Pro (not pictured), iPhone, Blackberry, Bluetooth, Wifi Stick, & Gum cover just about any form of communication I need to have with the world. For calls & emails, blogging, face to face, I feel like Robocop but I’m always there when you call.

Travel
Burton all the way. They make the world’s best travel bags. I’ve been a burton fan for the past 13 years, and practically refuse anything but, with the exception of certain Oakley products. This is my day pack, the Burton Audex 21L with hidden stash pockets, perfect for easy access to hidden treasures.

Tuques
Polo, Burton, RVCA, Mike, Ezekiel, Raised by Wolves (personal favorite right now), whatever’s cleaver. I’m in a tuque winter, summer, spring or fall. And always to the side.

Addictions
Twitter. Foreign to many, it is what you make of it. I use twitter to stay in touch, to find dope local gems, to find tracks that I can’t pick up anywhere else, and to voice the occasional opinion. Follow me @lesliewrg and see what I get into.

Four For 4 With Max Jenke

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:22:07 +0000

Endevor Snowboards co-founder Max Jenke talks about four things that he’s feeling at the moment.

Max Jenke / Managing Director, Endeavor Design Inc.
www.endeavorsnowboards.com
www.airhole.ca

Vegemite
My wife got me into Vegemite by giving it to me when I was drunk. A couple of years ago I woke up craving it for breakfast (you put it on like jam on toast). Now it’s how I start everyday. Interestingly enough, it was invented by a Canadian for the Australian Army during WW2 and is one of the world’s richest known sources of vitamin B.

Apple
I feel like it’s totally cliched to choose Apple but these two items are essential to me. The iPhone and MacBook Pro are without a doubt my most used tools at work.

Muji Stationary
Even with all the technology, it seems like my life needs to be written down for me to remember what I need to do. The Muji day planner and multi coloured pen keep me in line.

Airhole Ninja Mask
The must have for any snowboarder. Keeps your face warm and protected while still being able to breathe.