Interview by Jeffrey Kalmikoff

Why hello, and how are you doing today?
Superb, I was watching judge mathis prior to this...you?

We’re doing just fine thank you. You should really think about checking out Maury. It’s an office fav.
Tru, that’s at 10 and at 5, but in between its all about the peoples court, judge Mathis, Texas justice, judge joe brown, judge judy, & montel. This girl thought I was crazy for making her wait for Maury to be over with… She just doesn’t know how great it is…


Did you go to school? Where at and what for!?
Nah, Never went to school for design, I am now though, mostly because I want to do something other then design one day, maybe teach or build furniture... I like 3d objects versus computer generated design.

What are you going to school for now? How has having work experience prior to college helped you to envision your future?
MFA in Graphic Design… I learned that not everyone who teaches design knows about design and people fear criticism… But that’s the business – “Criticism” if you can’t handle it get out now while you’ve still got a chance… Otherwise… prepare to get your feelings hurt a lot…

How'd you get your start in design?
Invertebrate! I saw it, and I was amazed, and I wanted to do that... That was 98~ or something... Final was inspiring, swank, etc... And of course praystation... So I just started creating, and the next thing you know it was three years later and I’m still grinding and now seven years later I haven’t stopped... I’ve met some great people because of it, it’s definitely been a worthwhile journey.

Knowing what you know now, how does the work that helped you get inspired to start designing hold up to your current ideas about design? Granted the work would be dated now, but does it still hold its weight now that it’s more than just an image? Is it still inspiring?
It’s probably still the purest work I remember, it was with out trends and politics, it was just people doing their own thing not for the business but for the love, I miss that… Now everyone's stuff is the same, people don’t experiment anymore they just carbon copy each other and well…It takes away from the overall appeal of design…

What was your 'big break'?
Not sure if I’ve had one yet, but I feel I’m on the edge of making it happen thanks to Faesthetic, Skinny, Threadless, OMG, Toshiba, N&A, and Aerosol Warfare projects. I really feel lucky to have been involved in with these people and I can’t wait to do more. Just trying to make the Smile Maker brand a house hold name...

Haha, soon enough!
Hopefully… Patience isn’t a virtue for me… As you guys know… Still waiting for my turn with the 12 club…


What inspires your work?
Friends, it’s the biggest thing that inspires me. I’ve got a huge drive and I just jam and try to make good work, QVSQ.

For followers of your work, what/who would you recommend to check out (books, sites, etc) to help them understand where your design comes from?
It’s comes from day to day interaction, things I’ve lived, heard, experienced… It’s your life, it’s your story, tell it… but sites, there’s family stuff 1513; stateoflisa.com & harshpatel.com – UPSOd.com & prate.com – Nafe; nginco.com … I honestly don’t look at design sites anymore, just cruising myspace for scene chicks. But honestly, google the illuminati, It’s all there…

What do you do to get past creative blocks?
I don’t, I just start something new, and when I feel inspired I go back to finish what I was previously working on. I’ve been working on new Hellmedia stuff since Jan 1st, I’ve got maybe a dozen different series done, just not released, because I’m not sure if they are the best I can do yet... Hellmedia has always been sort of a creative block, because it’s an exercise of my own self. So I always feel I’ve gone as far as I can go with it, and then I come back and start over... It’s obvious, if you’re looking for advice, I can’t give it, I’ve got issues.

What are the last three songs that you heard that made you shake your ass?
El-P – Oxycottin (F. Central Service)
Vast Aire & MF Doom – Supafriends
Slim Thug – Love this game


How has Threadless helped you?
It’s paid my rent a few times, and bought my dog food. It’s probably going to get me laid if I keep seeing girls in my t-shirts at shows.

Let us know how that works out for you. If you start getting laid from this, we’ll have to add ‘ass’ as an artist incentive along with the cash and gift certificates.
Real Tru.

How and when did you hear about Threadless?
MANY MANY MOONS AGO, exdreamless, you guys remember the drink babies t-shirt?

For the people who don’t know about dreamless, can you explain what your first impressions of Threadless were? Did you ever imagine we’d ever be this awesome? Haha
Magic… People don’t know the history of the nifkin t’s or the importance of owning a assembler.org t (which I have on right now.) You guys have really stepped up and did stuff for the design community that other people have just talked about, on many levels… Awesome people do awesome things.

Do you think that Threadless helps designers?
Honestly, its one of the best things in the design community right now. Some of publicity T receives helps catapult designers who get featured in magazines like ‘GQ.’ PR like that is great and to tell clients you had work featured in publications like that, that wasn’t some sort of paid advertisement, it’s golden.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Ladies love how I kern… World Famous Smile Maker… If you don’t grind, you don’t shine…

Please make up a haiku that expresses your feelings about Threadless.
Threadless
Tru
That’s how I met’ my boo

Thank you for your time Brad. We’re glad to have you be a part of Threadless!
Thanks for putting up with my shit <3


Interview by Jeffrey Kalmikoff

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