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Featured Artist Interview - Matt W. Moore
BY
MWM
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He refuses to be pigeonholed and lives by the motto "Range is conducive to growth".
Meet Matt W. Moore, whose eclectic range of work is derived from his various inflluences which include innovation, functionality, flair, geometry, nature, history, prophecy and hyper colours, has worked up quite a storm in the design scene, creating several signature styles for himself which need to be experienced to be believed.
Some of his clients include Peace Denim, Nike SB, Poketo, Blackberry, Ecko Red and JB Scotch Whiskey. Matt also finds the time to publish a book of personal illustration work each winter called Black and White Bangers, and also founded and curates the popular website and sticker swap, Wallspankers Magazine.
We drop in on this amazingly talented individual at his home in Vermont, which is famous for its great snowboarding.
TAXI>> Hello Matt! It's really nice to have you here on TAXI. What's the one thing that you look forward to when you woke up this morning?
Matt W. Moore>> Thanks, it's great to be here. Well, it is Saturday so having the alarm clock off is always nice. I enjoy over-indulging in sleep on the weekends! Today will be a good day. I have a few freelance projects to wrap up and then my wife and I will be going out for dinner and a movie.
TAXI>>How do you realise that your passion in life is design?
Matt W. Moore>> It has always been my path, for as long as I can remember. I've always wanted to be creative and communicate with images. Growing up, my brothers idol was Michael Jordan... mine was MC Escher. Once I started to get some momentum going with illustration and fine art I realized how much of that energy could translate to graphic design.
TAXI>>I understand that your work was featured in fashion magazine, Letoile Magazine and ROJO. Congratulations on that! What was your first reaction when you found out about this great news?
Matt W. Moore>>Thanks. It was an honor to be featured in these projects. Fashion has always grabbed my attention and inspired me. Everything from street-wear to high-fashion. Much of my work deals with patterns and vibrant color palettes, so it is great to be involved with projects that celebrate the intersection of design and fashion. I would love to work more with textiles and fabrics, the possibilities are endless.
TAXI>> You seem to explore the different types of the design element such as vectors, print, paint and typography. If you were to pick only one to specialise in in your whole designer career, which would it be?
Matt W. Moore>> Wow, that is a tough question. It is like asking an avid outdoors person to choose between hiking, swimming, camping, biking, rowing and climbing. I'm glad that I will never have to choose! But hypothetically, if I had to choose, I would paint. Canvas painting is where I started and I hope to return my full focus back to it later in my career.
TAXI>>What do you think is that one common obstacle that every designer has to go through?
Matt W. Moore>>Compromise. There are endless compromises for designers. Budgets, timeframes, direction, the list goes on. It is an important thing to balance and grow with. Whatever doesn't kill you can only make you stronger. This is one of the reasons that I have become even more passionate about my personal work as my career as a designer has progressed. At the end of the day while I am working on art for myself, no one can tell me to change it. It is all up to me, and this helps me stay balanced in my professional endeavors.
TAXI>>Your recent project was for Smartcar “ForTwo book project”. Your designs seem very colourful indeed. Why do you choose to use almost all colours from the palette?
Matt W. Moore>> For that project I was asked to explore the excitement of driving and the contours of a ForTwo Car. My Vectorfunk style was the perfect fit. It is always been fun to push color as far as I can. I think my history with graffiti really opened me up to hypercolors. Growing up in the 80's was a blast too!
TAXI>> What do you think of black and white design work?
Matt W. Moore>> I love monochromatic art and design. It is another area of my personal work that I am very dedicated to. Black and white can be so powerful. It is minimal, timeless, sexy and cold. Anything that can communicate so much with so little is admirable.
TAXI>>How long do you usually take to finish a design?
Matt W. Moore>> That depends on a lot of different factors. I am working on projects with a four day timeline, and others have a four month timeline. It really depends. But in my personal studio work, much of the illustration and fine art that I have done was completed in a short time. Some series that I have worked on, like my Black & White Bangers Book Series, was literally one-a-day for three months. It becomes somewhat of a daily ritual.
TAXI>>With many other graphic designers out there, what do you think is your unique selling point?
Matt W. Moore>> My versatility and range have really helped me acquire new business. Although my work is spread across various disciplines and aesthetics, I believe that I have a unique vision and style of execution. Lots of designers and artists have one signature style that they are known for. My goal is to have a few different signature styles. Range is conducive to growth.
TAXI>>“Being talented is not enough. You have to have the right people around you.” In your opinion what are the fundamental needs for a young artist to survive in the art world of today?
Matt W. Moore>>Well, there are some fundamental differences between the "art world" and the "design world", but they do have a lot in common too. Being visible, accessible, unique and personable are crucial to success. Having a diverse skill set is very important too. The world is moving so fast, technology is unfolding exponentially, we interact in an entirely new way. It is an exciting time. Now it is easier than ever to share your work, but there is a lot more to see too.
TAXI>>If you are not designing, what will you be doing?
Matt W. Moore>>I love spending time with my wife and our son. We travel often and really enjoy getting outdoors. Hiking, snowboarding, fishing, camping. I also enjoy reading and studying our current culture and cultures past. I'd much rather spend an afternoon at the bookstore magazine stand than on a couch watching television.
TAXI>> Before we go, Matt, name me a place that you would like a TAXI to bring you now!
Matt W. Moore>>I'd love to pack a bag and come visit you guys in Singapore! I've heard great things about that area. I hope to travel there soon and see for myself.
© 2003 - 2007 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.
Meet Matt W. Moore, whose eclectic range of work is derived from his various inflluences which include innovation, functionality, flair, geometry, nature, history, prophecy and hyper colours, has worked up quite a storm in the design scene, creating several signature styles for himself which need to be experienced to be believed.
Some of his clients include Peace Denim, Nike SB, Poketo, Blackberry, Ecko Red and JB Scotch Whiskey. Matt also finds the time to publish a book of personal illustration work each winter called Black and White Bangers, and also founded and curates the popular website and sticker swap, Wallspankers Magazine.
We drop in on this amazingly talented individual at his home in Vermont, which is famous for its great snowboarding.
TAXI>> Hello Matt! It's really nice to have you here on TAXI. What's the one thing that you look forward to when you woke up this morning?
Matt W. Moore>> Thanks, it's great to be here. Well, it is Saturday so having the alarm clock off is always nice. I enjoy over-indulging in sleep on the weekends! Today will be a good day. I have a few freelance projects to wrap up and then my wife and I will be going out for dinner and a movie.
TAXI>>How do you realise that your passion in life is design?
Matt W. Moore>> It has always been my path, for as long as I can remember. I've always wanted to be creative and communicate with images. Growing up, my brothers idol was Michael Jordan... mine was MC Escher. Once I started to get some momentum going with illustration and fine art I realized how much of that energy could translate to graphic design.
TAXI>>I understand that your work was featured in fashion magazine, Letoile Magazine and ROJO. Congratulations on that! What was your first reaction when you found out about this great news?
Matt W. Moore>>Thanks. It was an honor to be featured in these projects. Fashion has always grabbed my attention and inspired me. Everything from street-wear to high-fashion. Much of my work deals with patterns and vibrant color palettes, so it is great to be involved with projects that celebrate the intersection of design and fashion. I would love to work more with textiles and fabrics, the possibilities are endless.
TAXI>> You seem to explore the different types of the design element such as vectors, print, paint and typography. If you were to pick only one to specialise in in your whole designer career, which would it be?
Matt W. Moore>> Wow, that is a tough question. It is like asking an avid outdoors person to choose between hiking, swimming, camping, biking, rowing and climbing. I'm glad that I will never have to choose! But hypothetically, if I had to choose, I would paint. Canvas painting is where I started and I hope to return my full focus back to it later in my career.
TAXI>>What do you think is that one common obstacle that every designer has to go through?
Matt W. Moore>>Compromise. There are endless compromises for designers. Budgets, timeframes, direction, the list goes on. It is an important thing to balance and grow with. Whatever doesn't kill you can only make you stronger. This is one of the reasons that I have become even more passionate about my personal work as my career as a designer has progressed. At the end of the day while I am working on art for myself, no one can tell me to change it. It is all up to me, and this helps me stay balanced in my professional endeavors.
TAXI>>Your recent project was for Smartcar “ForTwo book project”. Your designs seem very colourful indeed. Why do you choose to use almost all colours from the palette?
Matt W. Moore>> For that project I was asked to explore the excitement of driving and the contours of a ForTwo Car. My Vectorfunk style was the perfect fit. It is always been fun to push color as far as I can. I think my history with graffiti really opened me up to hypercolors. Growing up in the 80's was a blast too!
TAXI>> What do you think of black and white design work?
Matt W. Moore>> I love monochromatic art and design. It is another area of my personal work that I am very dedicated to. Black and white can be so powerful. It is minimal, timeless, sexy and cold. Anything that can communicate so much with so little is admirable.
TAXI>>How long do you usually take to finish a design?
Matt W. Moore>> That depends on a lot of different factors. I am working on projects with a four day timeline, and others have a four month timeline. It really depends. But in my personal studio work, much of the illustration and fine art that I have done was completed in a short time. Some series that I have worked on, like my Black & White Bangers Book Series, was literally one-a-day for three months. It becomes somewhat of a daily ritual.
TAXI>>With many other graphic designers out there, what do you think is your unique selling point?
Matt W. Moore>> My versatility and range have really helped me acquire new business. Although my work is spread across various disciplines and aesthetics, I believe that I have a unique vision and style of execution. Lots of designers and artists have one signature style that they are known for. My goal is to have a few different signature styles. Range is conducive to growth.
TAXI>>“Being talented is not enough. You have to have the right people around you.” In your opinion what are the fundamental needs for a young artist to survive in the art world of today?
Matt W. Moore>>Well, there are some fundamental differences between the "art world" and the "design world", but they do have a lot in common too. Being visible, accessible, unique and personable are crucial to success. Having a diverse skill set is very important too. The world is moving so fast, technology is unfolding exponentially, we interact in an entirely new way. It is an exciting time. Now it is easier than ever to share your work, but there is a lot more to see too.
TAXI>>If you are not designing, what will you be doing?
Matt W. Moore>>I love spending time with my wife and our son. We travel often and really enjoy getting outdoors. Hiking, snowboarding, fishing, camping. I also enjoy reading and studying our current culture and cultures past. I'd much rather spend an afternoon at the bookstore magazine stand than on a couch watching television.
TAXI>> Before we go, Matt, name me a place that you would like a TAXI to bring you now!
Matt W. Moore>>I'd love to pack a bag and come visit you guys in Singapore! I've heard great things about that area. I hope to travel there soon and see for myself.
© 2003 - 2007 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.