Computerlove™

Let's Talk, Benny Gold

Obsessed with skate and bike culture as a kid, San Francisco-based graphic designer Benny Gold has turned his adolescent interests into a successful career. And Benny does it all, from logo/identity work and t-shirt design to typography and packaging. Some of his clients include Stussy, Interscope Records, Burton, and North Face. And, in addition to his design projects, Benny also helms his own clothing label: the Benny Gold brand. I caught up with Benny amidst a storm of deadlines and he was very gracious to talk. Here's how our conversation played out.
-Matthew Newton

How did you get started in graphic design?

I started off drawing skateboard graphics and band logos on my griptape when I was a kid. Once I graduated high school I wanted to move out of the small town I grew up in to experience a better skate scene. We had no scene in my town. Savannah, Georgia was infamous for these huge skate contests in the 80's and they had a really good art school. I figured it was like killing two birds with one stone: [I’d] get to be a part of a great skate scene and study design. Once I got there I realized [the city hadn't] hosted skate contests since the 80's, but I stuck it out because the school was really good.

You've stayed close to your roots in skate culture, doing design work for clients like Transworld and Real skateboards. What's it like to be an adult now and contributing to a culture that was so influential during your adolescence?

It's awesome to be able to work with clients and projects that you are passionate about. When I was starting out I envisioned where I want to be. I really believe that envisioning things is the first step to realizing them.

The logo and identity work you've put out there is crisp and iconic, from your Etch-A-Sketch style Huf logo to the emblamatic Mash logo and beyond. What's your process for simple and effective design?

An effective solution to any design project begins with a strong concept. Once you get the concept down the rest falls into place. I start with a good amount of research and sketching to organize my thoughts and figure out what I am trying to say with each project.

How do you find a balance between client and personal work?

I put my best into every project I work on no matter who it is for. I try not to take on jobs that I am not excited about. I want to put out the best work I can for myself and my clients. If you are excited about the work for the client, the personal line gets blurred and you just want to make it the best you can.

Do you ever feel conflicted when a job comes up that you might not love but the money is good?

Of course. At the end of the day I create art for other people, so I make the best out of every project regardless. I want to make sure the client is as happy with it as I am.

What's an average day like for you?

Tea, work, skate, bike.

How did you come to be involved with Huf and Mash?

I met both Huf and Mash living in San Francisco through riding bikes or skateboards. Common interests bring people together and make for interesting projects that both people are passionate about.

Can you tell me a little bit about your clothing label, the Benny Gold brand?

The line explores the concept of staying youthful and striving to be the best you can be. The reference to gold symbolizes success and achievement. I really enjoy building on a concept and seeing how far you can take it. I am really excited to see how the line grows from where it is right now.

Collaborative projects have become a staple in street/skate culture. However, many of these collaborations often leave much to be desired. Your work is really an exception to this rule. What attracts you to a collaborative effort?

I think a collaboration project is at it's best when it couldn't be done without either group involved. I usually work on collaborations between friends and brands I respect, so that makes it easy.

A decade from now, where do you see your career?

Hopefully I will still be putting out the best work I possibly can 10 years from now. You never know.

Related links: www.bennygold.com www.hufsf.com www.mashsf.com www.stussy.com www.thehundreds.com

FFFFOUND Randomness

I know FFFFOUND is not a new project, but as time goes by their database turns more interesting everyday that passes by, an inspiring collection of random images, that you can navigate forever, exploring different tags depending on your clicks.

It's just sad they dont have a proper search engine, so you can choose where to start you browsing/zapping. And well to get an invitation is simply a nightmare, which I think it's cool.

Train Car Project

For almost two years now PROCESS has been organizing a massive group show, called the Train Car Project, which features 60 artists from around the world, ranging in all different styles. For the project, each artist was supplied with a train car illustration, in the medium of their choice; either as a 3-color screenprint or a digital vector file. Once received, the artists had complete creative control to do what they wanted with the train.

The Train Car Project will be on exhibit later this year in it’s entirety at Papa B Studios, in Brooklyn, NY. The show will exhibit all iterations of the Train Car illustration, in both print and digital mediums.

*Friday, October 10th - Thursday October 16
Opening reception will be held: Friday, October 10th *

more info at

Shiva > Austin TV

After an intense record time of one month finally the music video of single SHIVA from indie-instrumental band Austin TV from Mexico City is out. The idea is based in one of many stories from Mario Lupo's diary that comes with the album Fontana Bella, this fictional character an his Xoloscuincle dog, Kerdoc, fell accidentally in a hidden magical forest which at the end result in the Devil's cave.

Credits.
Director & Illustration Art : Alberto Cerriteño
Main Animator & Compositing : Diego Huacuja
Music: Austin TV
Supporting Animators: Gabriela Badillo / Humberto Zamorate

See additional material in this Flickr set.

DIED YOUNG STAYED PRETTY

An interesting looking look at the rock poster thing by Eileen Yaghoobian.

Cannondale G-Star Raw

It's been out for a while, but Cannondale recently released this cool bike from a limited edition - G-Star Raw, connecting the Bad Boy series look with a classic old bikes feel

Can Coca-Cola (and Social Media Tech) Save Lives?

For the past few weeks a campaign has been filtering through the blogosphere with exciting speed, reaching the likes of Inhabitat.com, BrandRepublic Treehugger.com and WorldChanging.com.

The ColaLife Campaign started as one man's idea; to tap into the hugely powerful distribution muscles of multi-nationals such as Coca-Cola, and ask them to distribute medicines to dying children in developing countries. Through a simple group on Facebook, ColaLife Campaign founder Simon Berry has gained international support and is now in conversations with Coca-Cola! The power of social networking is truly alive! To support the campaign, please join the Facebook Group!

Organic Figures

Annie Woodford an artist from London who makes some really interesting art.
"Her work is about frozen environments, about capturing a fundamental essence of humanity. The resulting pieces are often disturbing objects that appear to be hybrids of cellular organisms, torture implements, tribal tools and early medical utensils. Title such as Savage Trap, Innocent Intruder and Trace Shifter heighten this sense of darkness and danger, of an encounter with some kind of primeval lifeform."

Remember Tibet

On the occasion of the Bejing Olympics, RememberTibet.org is asking people to remember Tibet's struggle for independence against the undemocratic government of China.
Visit the site and have a look on how YOUR design submissions can help.
RememberTibet.org is an initiative started by Jonathan Barnbrook and Pedro Inoue designed to engage people during (and after) the Beijing Olympics Games through art and design to help raise awareness of China's policies towards Tibet.

Andy Gilmore

The fine and vast work of Andy Gilmore from Rochester, New York can be seen in any of his many online locations:
Website | Blog1 | Blog2 | Flickr | Space Collective |
Definitely a great inspiration & eye candy source!

SRF.STN_REDUX

Surfstation gets a long overdue (and damn nice) re-up.

Streetfiles - Fame is a basic human right

After several months of developing i`m really proud to announce Esher, Hausburger and me launched a new independent and international platform for graffiti and street art: streetfiles.org Its aim is to document the movement of street art, graffiti and art in public space with the help of its users.
We are really excited what you think so check it out and give us some feedback if you want.

R.S. Klassiker Nu.3, Photo by Richard Schwarz

Idee Gate, Photo by gate

Pheoe, Photo by movel

Source: movel