Chris Piascik Interview
In the dead of the Boston winter, I attended a screening of RAD in Boston presented by GOOD.There I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Piascik, whose equally rad illustrations were lining the walls of the event.
Chris’ work has been featured in numerous publications, and has exploded within the bike blog-o-sphere. In addition to killing it as a designer / illustrator, he can throw down on his 20-inch and fixie. Check out the hops below.
I think for many people in the creative fields, it is easy to become cynical and bitter—but Chris has fortunately managed to evade this. Even in his works that deal with serious topics, there is a sense of humor and positive empowerment that is hard to find. Chris is a really hard-working & humble dude, and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to meet him.
Below is a sampling of his background and work.
Photo by Eric Baumann
Where are you originally from/ where do you currently reside?
I grew up in a small, shoreline town in CT. I moved to Boston for a while but I just moved back to CT.
Did you go to school for design? How did the program prepare you & help you grow?
I graduated from the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford with a degree in Visual Communication Design. I absolutely loved it. The design program was pretty intensive—each year you had to do a portfolio review to determine if you could move on. The bar was raised each year so you had to stay on top of your game. I think that process is what turned me into the workaholic I am today. Another thing that I think is important about the design department at the Hartford Art School is that it is based around theory and concept as opposed to software. Too many schools focus on teaching you the software—but anyone can learn Photoshop.
Where have you worked and where do you currently work? How did and do those places help you and/or hinder you?
Immediately after I graduated I got a job at Group C, a small design studio in CT. The small size required me to take on a number of responsibilities. The work was a little too corporate for my taste but I don't think I'll ever learn as much as I did during my first six months there. I was immediately tossed into client meetings / working with vendors / print production / etc. After that I got a job at Alphabet Arm in Boston. While there I had the opportunity to work on endless logo/branding projects as well as a lot of projects within the music industry. Alphabet Arm was very small as well which allowed me to be more involved on the business and development side of things. About a year ago I went full-time freelance as an illustrator and designer. My experience at Alphabet Arm has been paramount in getting to where I am today. I also worked as an adjunct professor teaching design at the Hartford Art School. That was a great experience and helped me to better communicate about the value of good design.
Do you have a favorite project? (I know that's like picking between children, so you can say more than one.) If so, was it for a client or yourself? And how did you think of it or get involved?
My answer will probably be different a month from now—but at the moment I am going to say the I Love my Bike book I designed for Chronicle Books. Two of my friends Matthew Finkle and Brittain Sullivan came up with the idea for a book featuring portraits of people around the US with their bikes. Matt began shooting photos and then approached me about putting together a presentation to show some potential publishers. Chronicle was the top choice and when they decided they wanted to publish the book the three of us were beyond excited. For the actual design I incorporated a ton of my hand drawn typography and other bicycle illustrations.
What is your favorite typeface?
Honestly, I draw almost all of my typography lately— so I don't think I have one!
What are you currently working on and are you pumped on it / bummed about it?
At the moment I am working on so many different projects that I am going a bit crazy. I just started a really silly project with a friend called Pets Are Superheroes. I draw people's pets as superheroes. We just launched the site last week and I've already gotten 7 commissions. I just completed a proposal for a potentially big and exciting project—but I'm not allowed to talk about that yet. There are not really any projects I am bummed about—mostly because I work for myself I choose what I want to take on.
Who do you see as a mentor? Or is there anyone who inspired you to start making work or work harder?
Rich Stevens (of Diesel Sweeties) has been a good friend of mine, and a mentor, for a long time now. His work ethic and consistency have always been hugely inspiring to me. If it weren’t for him I would not have made the plunge into working for myself—at least not for a long time.
Do you have a Blog/Twitter/Dribble/Svpply/Lookwork/ in addition to your website?
At the moment my website is my blog, I tweet @chrispiascik and I have a Dribbble account as well: http://dribbble.com/chrispiascik
Do you do any riding besides BMX? Road, track, fixed, mountain, etc?
I also ride road and fixed. I'd love to get into mountain biking but I barely have time to ride the others.
How long have you been riding BMX?
I raced BMX when I was 10 and 11 and then got into street riding. I have ridden on and off for the past 18 years.
What spots did you grow up riding and what spots do you currently frequent?
I grew up riding all over my town, but I remember spending many evenings at the local Stop & Shop and Shaws parking lots. I also spent a good amount of time at some small trails that we built. When I get the chance to ride now it's usually just small street spots anywhere or Haven skatepark (to get away from the snow). When it gets warm out there are some decent trails close by.
Who are your favorite people to ride with?
Sean Milnes, Clayton Dubuc, Stebs and the Tyrant guys.
What is your favorite place to travel & why?
I went to Austin for SXSW a couple years ago and I loved it.
What is your favorite animal to draw?
This is a funny question given my newest web venture. I'd have to say birds though. Fat birds.
Drink of choice?
Coffee.
What was the best burrito you've ever had?
This place in Jamaica Plain called Baja Betty's has a double burrito that is just ridiculously big. I have a big appetite so I am going to go with that one.
If you could collaborate with anyone, or have anyone as a client, who would it be?
I'm not sure, maybe some amazing animator.
What are you listening to lately?
I listen to a lot of podcasts when I work, NPR shows, Citizen Radio, Marc Maron's podcast. In terms of music, lately I've been into Homeboy Sandman, Mumford & Sons, The Dead Weather and I am anticipating a lot of Radiohead after this weekend's new release.
For more of Chris’ work, or to get at some sick prints & apparel from his store, be sure to check out his website: ChrisPiascik.com.
Also be sure to check out the I Love My Bike book.
Chris’ work has been featured in numerous publications, and has exploded within the bike blog-o-sphere. In addition to killing it as a designer / illustrator, he can throw down on his 20-inch and fixie. Check out the hops below.
I think for many people in the creative fields, it is easy to become cynical and bitter—but Chris has fortunately managed to evade this. Even in his works that deal with serious topics, there is a sense of humor and positive empowerment that is hard to find. Chris is a really hard-working & humble dude, and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to meet him.
Below is a sampling of his background and work.
Photo by Eric Baumann
Where are you originally from/ where do you currently reside?
I grew up in a small, shoreline town in CT. I moved to Boston for a while but I just moved back to CT.
Did you go to school for design? How did the program prepare you & help you grow?
I graduated from the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford with a degree in Visual Communication Design. I absolutely loved it. The design program was pretty intensive—each year you had to do a portfolio review to determine if you could move on. The bar was raised each year so you had to stay on top of your game. I think that process is what turned me into the workaholic I am today. Another thing that I think is important about the design department at the Hartford Art School is that it is based around theory and concept as opposed to software. Too many schools focus on teaching you the software—but anyone can learn Photoshop.
Where have you worked and where do you currently work? How did and do those places help you and/or hinder you?
Immediately after I graduated I got a job at Group C, a small design studio in CT. The small size required me to take on a number of responsibilities. The work was a little too corporate for my taste but I don't think I'll ever learn as much as I did during my first six months there. I was immediately tossed into client meetings / working with vendors / print production / etc. After that I got a job at Alphabet Arm in Boston. While there I had the opportunity to work on endless logo/branding projects as well as a lot of projects within the music industry. Alphabet Arm was very small as well which allowed me to be more involved on the business and development side of things. About a year ago I went full-time freelance as an illustrator and designer. My experience at Alphabet Arm has been paramount in getting to where I am today. I also worked as an adjunct professor teaching design at the Hartford Art School. That was a great experience and helped me to better communicate about the value of good design.
Do you have a favorite project? (I know that's like picking between children, so you can say more than one.) If so, was it for a client or yourself? And how did you think of it or get involved?
My answer will probably be different a month from now—but at the moment I am going to say the I Love my Bike book I designed for Chronicle Books. Two of my friends Matthew Finkle and Brittain Sullivan came up with the idea for a book featuring portraits of people around the US with their bikes. Matt began shooting photos and then approached me about putting together a presentation to show some potential publishers. Chronicle was the top choice and when they decided they wanted to publish the book the three of us were beyond excited. For the actual design I incorporated a ton of my hand drawn typography and other bicycle illustrations.
What is your favorite typeface?
Honestly, I draw almost all of my typography lately— so I don't think I have one!
What are you currently working on and are you pumped on it / bummed about it?
At the moment I am working on so many different projects that I am going a bit crazy. I just started a really silly project with a friend called Pets Are Superheroes. I draw people's pets as superheroes. We just launched the site last week and I've already gotten 7 commissions. I just completed a proposal for a potentially big and exciting project—but I'm not allowed to talk about that yet. There are not really any projects I am bummed about—mostly because I work for myself I choose what I want to take on.
Who do you see as a mentor? Or is there anyone who inspired you to start making work or work harder?
Rich Stevens (of Diesel Sweeties) has been a good friend of mine, and a mentor, for a long time now. His work ethic and consistency have always been hugely inspiring to me. If it weren’t for him I would not have made the plunge into working for myself—at least not for a long time.
Do you have a Blog/Twitter/Dribble/Svpply/Lookwork/ in addition to your website?
At the moment my website is my blog, I tweet @chrispiascik and I have a Dribbble account as well: http://dribbble.com/chrispiascik
Do you do any riding besides BMX? Road, track, fixed, mountain, etc?
I also ride road and fixed. I'd love to get into mountain biking but I barely have time to ride the others.
How long have you been riding BMX?
I raced BMX when I was 10 and 11 and then got into street riding. I have ridden on and off for the past 18 years.
What spots did you grow up riding and what spots do you currently frequent?
I grew up riding all over my town, but I remember spending many evenings at the local Stop & Shop and Shaws parking lots. I also spent a good amount of time at some small trails that we built. When I get the chance to ride now it's usually just small street spots anywhere or Haven skatepark (to get away from the snow). When it gets warm out there are some decent trails close by.
Who are your favorite people to ride with?
Sean Milnes, Clayton Dubuc, Stebs and the Tyrant guys.
What is your favorite place to travel & why?
I went to Austin for SXSW a couple years ago and I loved it.
What is your favorite animal to draw?
This is a funny question given my newest web venture. I'd have to say birds though. Fat birds.
Drink of choice?
Coffee.
What was the best burrito you've ever had?
This place in Jamaica Plain called Baja Betty's has a double burrito that is just ridiculously big. I have a big appetite so I am going to go with that one.
If you could collaborate with anyone, or have anyone as a client, who would it be?
I'm not sure, maybe some amazing animator.
What are you listening to lately?
I listen to a lot of podcasts when I work, NPR shows, Citizen Radio, Marc Maron's podcast. In terms of music, lately I've been into Homeboy Sandman, Mumford & Sons, The Dead Weather and I am anticipating a lot of Radiohead after this weekend's new release.
For more of Chris’ work, or to get at some sick prints & apparel from his store, be sure to check out his website: ChrisPiascik.com.
Also be sure to check out the I Love My Bike book.
posted by Alex Bloom at
11:39 AM
