Can you share about the piece and how you conceived of it?
Golden Afternoon is an experiment in contradiction. I’m constantly looking at making messages that don’t appear as they should yet still work on a key level. The idea of Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll is an obvious cliche but still retains enough hard edge to make the design work without being too bland. I was inspired by the cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland (a song in which the title comes from) and how Alice finds out she can learn a lot from the flowers. I’ve tried loads of other messages in contradictory styles but this one had the most resonance.
If you were to describe your work to someone who’s never seen it, what would you say?
If you like clean lines, perfect colours, and exceptional balance, you won’t find it here.
What’s your creative process when producing a piece of art?
I’m not sure I make art, which implies I’m not fond of one style for myself, but as a design minded individual I try and observe the key elements of a message and try to subvert it to mean something else. I start with a notepad and pen largely because I can have an idea anywhere and this is the best method of sketching thumbnails on the go. If the idea has legs then I’ll try and research it then see what happens from there.
Could you share an image of one of your latest sketches?
Yes. Here you go. It’s a sketch for a children’s wallpaper I’m doing for a company in London.
Would you share three unique things in your workspace that inspire you?
A well-read book on design by Bruno Munari, my folder collection of cut out stuff from magazines, and pictures of my kids.
What’s the most extreme reaction you’ve ever received in response to your work?
“This rocks you like a soft ballad from a balls-out metal band. In other words, it’s sensitive but in the end results in lots of debauchery”. That’s my favourite so far, from a guy at Threadless.
What’s the art scene like where you live?
At first site pretty mediocre, however there is a nice new gallery that does some contemporary work. But I work in London and practically next door to the Design Museum, so I go there for kicks during my lunch break.
What art is hanging on your walls at the moment?
Prints by Scott Hansen, and some early work by my 2 year old son.
What are you really into right now?
Most work from people in the Black Rock Collective, they are my esteemed peers, and I aim to be as consistently strong as them. Outside of creative work I’ve rediscovered my love of Pickled Onion Monster Munch.
What would be on your quintessential mixtape?
It would be massive, but here are 5 random picks. PE – Don’t Believe The Hype, Orbital – The Girl With Sunshine In Her Hair, Beck – Soul Suckin’ Jerk, The Cure – Play For Today, Inspiral Carpets – She Comes In The Fall
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
It would sound annoying, probably. A mix of Ornette Coleman and the sound your computer makes when you clear your trash folder.
What do you have as your desktop wallpaper?
A wallpaper design I’m working on.
What websites do you check out regularly?
ffffffffffffffffffound.com, Threadless.com, PremierLeague.com, Ilovetypography.com, Scott Hansen’s blog.
What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
I think I enjoy my kid’s bedtime stories more than they do. Good red wine. WSC magazine.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
Not one in particular, but I remember I used to draw landscapes with a white gap in between the sky and the horizon. Did everyone do that?
If you were a dinosaur, what kind would you be and why?
One that didn’t need to look to far for food, and could predict things like extinction. I’m not good with surprises.
What was your last memorable dream?
I had to fix everything mechanical that went wrong around me, but I couldn’t and people started getting angry with me even though it’s painfully obvious I’m not a qualified engineer.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
Full time parent. Kids are brilliant company and role-play better than any actor that ever lived.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
hmmm…I’m working on some t-shirt designs with a young fashion start up in London called Ohema Ohene. The kids wallpaper design is great fun, and there’s something else in the pipeline, but I’m keeping that to myself for now.
What’s your motto?
No matter what I do I always revert to type.
Gavin Rampling
