January 10th, 2009
There are many musicians out there who I admire who happen to have a little or two to do with graphic design.
I just found out recently that Queen’s crest, was designed by Freddie Mercury, the bands lead singer who dies of AIDS in the early 90’s. Happens to be a London art-school graduate as well. Writer of the awesome Bohemian Rhapsody.
The famous KISS logotype, designed by Ace Frehley, Gibson endorser and also hero the many legendary metal-heads including Dimebag Darell (Pantera, Damageplan) and Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society).
Having being the godfather of Grunge and charisma enough to influence and change culture, Kurt Cobain is definitely no stranger to all. While the world thinks Nirvana is probably all that is, but apparently, Kurt’s visual side manifests very interesting imaginary collectives; including toy monkeys of musical nature, heart-shaped boxes and plastic dolls. Not to mention his fascination with meat, as seen prominently on the album In Utero. Usually dark and sends out the message that everything is a little messed up and dark. But beyond the drugs, the girl, the lyrics and the depression, there’s something truly genius about him.
I also suspact Micheal Johnson of johnson banks probably has his own band as well. By reading this post about guitars and design on the johnson banks blog, suggest a very complete set of guitar effect pedals with a vast knowledge in the world of rock and roll. Plus, I don’t think he’s as amatuer as he claims he is on his blog; probably could lay a few SRV chops…
Meanwhile, in the world of typography, we see the guys at LettError, playing in a band called Wolfraam.
Underworld, the English electronic band, also happen to be designers from the London based design consultancy Tomato. I probably listened to electronica music a little bit because of them. And if you look close and observe long enough, probably the designs coming up from the studio can be visual representations of the music their colleagues make—not everything but maybe like the one above.
I always find designers who have a good sense of taste in music interesting to talk with. Probably the platform of common interest I share but also the fact that their interest expands beyond merely art, design and typefaces. It’s always very appealing to hear from a colleague in the design industry speak about Van Halen or maybe even King Crimson album covers. Even more interesting if they actually play, produce or write their own music.
That said, somehow, in a society, I feel that there’s always many other mediums or stages where we can make our presence known to that society; for profession, for entertainment; for pleasure; to express an emotion, to voice an opinion or suggestion or even just to leave a mark.
I did it by extending my options to playing music. The only way I know of right now. Not to mention the other hundreds of ways that probably you can be intact with. It might just suggest to the outside world that designers are not only crazy long-haired people who work long hours with no life and are ‘emo-creatures.’ Might even change their perception and take designers, musicians, artists, actors and others who are more linear with ‘cuture’ more seriously and with much thought.
It’s an artist, designer, musician thing.
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