Monday, July 23, 2018
Birch Fabrics Dan Stiles
Birch Fabrics Dan Stiles
Birch Fabrics Interviews Dan Stiles
Today we would like to introduce everyone to the amazingly talented Dan Stiles. We have worked with Dan on a few fabric collections (Marine and the upcoming, Mod Squad), and we thought it would be interesting to share more about Dan, his work and his rock-n-roll design career.
1. Tell us about yourself in 50 words or less.
Im a designer and illustrator living and working in sunny Portland, Oregon.
2. Your work is a combination of Music & Design � tell us about this? And, how you found your niche in the design world.
Music and art were always separate passions of mine since childhood. I always knew they intersected in places like album covers and band T shirts, but I never tried it myself until I started making rock posters in college. A roommate saw some of my graffiti and coerced me into making posters for the campus concert promoter. My entire career has grown from that seed.
3. Of all the projects you had done tell us about-
a. Your favorite one (one that is special to you and why!)
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| The Sisters Brothers, Nike & Canal |
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| BCwax Label |
There have been so many great jobs, its really hard to pick a favorite. The Nike poster series, the BCwax album covers, The Sisters Brothers book cover, the AT&T and Canal+ ads, the Marine fabric series for Birch. I think the important thing is that the client comes to me with an interesting project and asks me to apply my vision to it, which surprisingly in design isnt always the case. Many times the client arrives with both the project and the vision, and in that case anyone could act as the designer.
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| AT&T |
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| Birch Fabrics Marine |
b. Your most successful one (successful means so many things to so many people � which one do you deem the most successful in your eyes and why?)
c. The game changer � (was there a project that changed your career? One that opened up new opportunities or one that solidified in your mind that music & design was your future.)
Like most things in life my career has been a slow incremental progression. There was never a Hollywood moment where I was discovered working as a janitor and whisked off in a limousine. Im a firm believer in the notion that you make your own opportunities through consistent and dedicated hard work. It seems that with each year there are projects that open new doors. I could go back to 1993 connecting the dots between projects I did and the subsequent opportunities that grew from them. For example the project I did for Nike grew from the fact that the art director that hired me is a huge rock poster fan. Or the national advertising campaign I did for AT&T grew out of a small CD cover I did for a folk music compilation that was posted on the design blog grainedit.com. I look at it like the sorcerers apprentice. Im Mickey Mouse, and every project I complete is another broomstick out in the world doing work for me. The more quality work I release, the wider my reach.
4. How would you describe your style?
Ive heard a lot of different things, the two I like best are punk rock modern and folk pop. I would describe myself as a design illustrator. Today most people are usually either one or the other. I try to use both skills to create simple, clear and concise work.
5. What inspires you?
Minimalism, skateboard graphics, folk art, anything Japanese, vintage packaging, childrens art, modernism, punk album covers, nature, art nouveau, indigenous art, graffiti, golden era comic books, wallpaper, vintage advertising, art deco, the list could go on forever.
6. Birch Fabrics & Dan Stiles � Did you ever imagine your designs on fabric? Do you design differently for the fabric collections?
Ive always been inspired by pattern design, fabric, wallpaper, etc. Ive been incorporating pattern elements into my work for quite a while. Thanks to the magic of the internet some of my poster work came to the attention of Birch, who recognized that my style would be effective on fabrics. Surface design was something I had been looking to break into for a while, so it was a great fit for me. The process is a little different in that Im making something more decorative and less conceptual, which means I get to play more with shapes and color and spend less time thinking about delivering a concise message.
7. Tell us about Mod Squad � the inspiration for the concept, and how you would describe the collection.
With Marine Birch came to me and asked me to expand upon the submarine theme I started with my poster for AC Newman. For Mod Squad they wanted something that played off Mod era Britain. Starting from that I did things like revisiting old Jam and Who albums. I watched Quadrophenia for the first time in 20 years. From there I tried to pull together a visual language that summarized the symbolism and feeling of the period. Yes, I got paid to listen to The Jam. How cool is that?
8. What would be your dream project?
My career is an ongoing dream project, it gets better every year. I wouldnt mind doing a series of snowboards or a BMW art car though.
9. What is next for Dan Stiles?
Im always working on something. I have a series of illustrations in the works with Intel, those should be rolling out soon. My wife is a jewelry designer and were working on a new line together. I have a series of childrens clothes coming out with All Good Living. Posters for M83 and Tune-Yards are in progress. Im looking to branch out into as many different avenues as I can.
OK�the fun questions �
10. Favorite color?
Do I have to pick just one? Isnt that some form of discrimination? In my work I gravitate towards a primary palette because I like the contrast and the opportunity to overlap the colors. On the other hand when dressing myself I tend towards dark colors with bright color accents.
11. If you could be someone other than yourself who would it be?
I cant say Ive ever thought about that one. There are scores of people Ive learned from, whether Ive met them or not. For instance I love the spirit of Muhammad Ali and the vision of the Eames, but that doesnt mean I want to actually be any of them. In the end were all human with weaknesses and foibles regardless of our talents and accomplishments. Ill stick with being me, its the devil I know.
12. What actor would play you in a movie about your life?
How about Alexander Skarsg�rd, hes about the right height and is far more handsome.
13. Favorite food?
Vietnamese, I cant get enough of the stuff.
14. Favorite Movie?
Battleship Potemkin. No, not really, but that makes me sound like I have taste doesnt it? I like French cinema, Delicatessen, La Femme Nikita. Sci-fi stuff like Brazil, The Matrix, The Terminator, Blade Runner, The Matrix. Psychological thrillers like Memento. I also have a real weakness for modern swords and sandals style flicks like 300, and war movies like Saving Private Ryan. And this doesnt even touch on animation which is a whole other list. I guess thats more than one isnt it?
15. Something everyone should know about you but probably doesnt
Ive never eaten a Twinkie.
Thanks Dan! We really appreciate you taking the time to chat with us. To learn more about Dan and his work please check out his website.
