I came across Skinny Ships’ website via the excellent minimalsites.com. Skinny Ships or Richard Perez is a graphic designer and illustrator based in San Francisco. I loved his work, particularly his posters featuring illustrated lettering. He very nicely agreed to answer some of my questions.
Can you remember what was it that first attracted you to or at least made you aware of graphic design?
What initially made me aware of design was movie posters and album covers as a teenager; I got a record player when I was 13 and bought a bunch of old rock LPs, I remember staring at The Beatles’ Revolver and Led Zeppelin’s III covers and thinking creating covers would be so cool to do!
Do you have any favourite designers, typographers or illustrators who you really look up to? What is it about their work that you love?
I’m a huge fan of a lot of mid century designers & illustrators like; Otl Aicher, Saul Bass, Charley Harper and Reid Miles. The work created during this period is so bold, simple and vibrant it’s such a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of contemporary commercial design out there. I do also admire a lot of the young designers who also draw inspiration by 50s - 60s design, guys like Heads of State, Adrian Johnson, and Invisible Creature.
You trained at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. What did you enjoy about the course?
The range of projects we took on as students was quite varied from packaging to posters to whole design campaigns led to quite a well rounded out portfolio. There was also a lot of focusing on concept and that the process is such an important part of designing, which I also really admired.
And what’s the best thing about being a designer in SF?
There really is a good community of designers and artists in San Francisco, and I’ve meet a lot of really of talented folks who have helped me further myself as a designer and artists. Plus a great deal of inspiration from various events and such going on all the time.
What inspires you when you’re feeling blocked or presented with a blank piece of paper?
I usually just start doodling, and trying to visualize any ideas that come to my head. Then try to figure what I should try and develop further, and what should be chucked away. Whenever I feel stuck, I usually just step away and do something else, usually get a bite. I find inspiration usually hits in when you stop stressing and racking your brain to find the solution a the desk and enjoy some good foodstuffs.
If you don’t have a client or brief to satisfy what’s your favourite typeface - just one you like for purely aesthetic reasons and what do you like about it?
Its a toss up between Poster Bodoni by Chauncey H. Griffith, there’s something both classical yet contemporary to it which I just love, and (surprise surprise) Helvetica. I know its ubiquitous and the go to font for all the designers, but I don’t care I love Helvetica!
Thank you Richard. Keep up the great work! Richard mentioned a lot of great designers, artists and illustrators. The links are below. My personal favourite from these is the iconic work of Blue Note designer Reid Miles. And just below is another example of Richard’s work a poster called ‘Things I Like’.
Links:
Otl Aicher
Saul Bass
Charley Harper
Reid Miles
