Interview Index -> Part 2

• Confronting Design Tasks
• Designing Stickers vs. T-Shirts
• Design for Other Artists
• Suggestions to Aspiring Graphic Designers

"Ants Marching"

Comment from Jon: "Red and black antennae waving..."

"Ants Marching " image © Jon Marro 2005. Firehydrant-Red Unauthorized use prohibited.
Dave Matthews Band®, is a registered trademark of Bama Rags, Inc.

WDS.com: When you're first confronted with a design task, what kind of method do you use to arrive at a creative delivery?

JM: I love playing with visual irony. Where something appears to be quite plainly as it seems, but encourages the viewer to look closer, and then rewards them for doing so. So usually, I come up with a concept and then push it until it excites me. I often try to make my designs multi-dimensional, infused with meaning and hidden illusion. A good idea is just a kernel as far as I'm concerned.

WDS.com: Is there is a big difference between designing stickers, t-shirts and websites.

JM: Yeah. They all have different visual and implementive purposes. A sticker is generally small and needs to get the artist's name out with limited space. So they generally have simple shapes, few colors, and high-readability. A T-Shirt is a bit bigger, as they tend to be closer to eye-level and intended proximity. They still need to deliver it's message, but also have the privilege of two sides and a bigger canvas.

And websites are crazy complex, luckily my business partner handles the programming side of our business. Interactivity, navigation, and usability all need to be considered while designing, that's not my speed. Lets just say I've never opened C++ to design a t-shirt.

"Gravedigger"

Comment from Jon: "When I first was contacted about doing some designs it was right in the
middle of the Dave and Friends Tour. Gravedigger was prevalent, so I decided
to coax them with something current-and also the merch for the "Friends"
tour seemed disconnected, and slapped together, this was an effort to put
some Dave back into the designs. Again, sadly, to no avail."

"Gravedigger" image © Jon Marro 2005. Firehydrant-Red Unauthorized use prohibited.
Dave Matthews®, is a registered trademark of Bama Rags, Inc.

WDS.com: I understand you were involved in the creation of Madonna's website and Jason Mraz. Tell me a little bit about your relationship with
these artists, and what went into creating media for them. (links to examples of work)

JM: I never was involved in creating Madonna's website, I did however design a few apparel items she sells on her online store. Madonna and I don't have a real working relationship, instead it is me going through a middle(wo)man. Basically submitting designs to a liaison of sorts and waiting for her to get the thumbs up or down from Madonna's people. That's the only unique situation I deal with, most commonly the designer works with an artist's merchandise head so there's direct contact in say the Jason Mraz camp. It's less go between.

As far as creating media, I try to create from a fan's perspective, I'm under the impression it's generally the fans buying merchandise, so it'd make sense to appeal to them. I see a lot of stale, stagnant designs out there where it may just be the band's name printed on the tee. That's cool I suppose, but not really a formula I subscribe to. Instead, quite simply, I try to make cool t-shirts.

Something people would want to wear regardless if they were pimping their favorite band or not. I design with this, though it may be my own shallow minded philosophy, in mind: I buy CDs to listen to, and I buy t-shirts to wear.

WDS.com: What advice would you offer to a burgeoning graphic designer who wants to do professional design work in a vein similar to yours?

JM: Find an up and coming musician and offer or volunteer your services to them. You've gotta start somewhere, and every piece you do you can add to your portfolio. It's good to get in with a musician you admire while they're still small, because if they like what you do - they'll probably take you along with them. This way you and your work get to evolve and grow with them and theirs.

"Walk This Way "

Comment from Jon: "Surely the firedancer has had to cross the street at somepoint..."

"Walk This Way " image © Jon Marro 2005. Firehydrant-Red Unauthorized use prohibited.
DMB® and the Fire Dancer Logo are aregistered trademark of Bama Rags, Inc.

WDS.com: Tell me a little bit about the projects you are currently working.

JM: Well...my business partner and I just finished the new Jason Mraz website, and I'm working on album art for a few different independent bands/musicians. Hopefully with these under my belt I can start approaching some bigger guns. Merchandise and tour posters are one thing, major label releases aren't just handed over.

WDS.com: Any other projects you'd like to mention?

JM: I do most of all of my freelance work with my business partner Jon Polikowski under the alias of: FireHydrant-Red.com. My own personal portfolio can be viewed at: MyImageNation.com, and I started a line of my own t-shirts at: BlendApparel.com.

Also maybe a shout out to our very promising client who we feel quite parental over: Eric Hutchinson. Dave and Mraz fans are sure to love him. Check them all out and please, spread the word!

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