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| Matt Owen |
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Matt Owens is the creator of Brooklyn, NY-based flash design playground, Volumeone (www.volumeone.com), a multi-disciplinary approach to the creation of visual solutions for print, motion and digital media. He is also a founding member of Athletics, (www.athleticsnyc.com) a multi-disciplinary design collective based in New York City. With Athletics, Matt has done graphic design, music videos, photography web development and more for clients such as The Sundance Channel, New York Magazine, Puma and Ecko Unlimited. He also completed interactive media, print and broadcast work for clients such as Nike, Sony, Blue Note Records and the New York Public Library.
Matt is also a partner in The Riviera, a small gallery in Brooklyn that focuses on up and coming artists, designers and photographers. He has spoken internationally about design, and his work has been recognized by the Art Directors Club, American Center for Design, the AIGA and multiple domestic and foreign design publications.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut, a designer—or maybe something else?
Matt: I wanted to draw and possibly be an artist or a musician. I had been drawing since a very young age and was also into music. As I grew older, I ended up being in a band, doing record covers and flyers. I arrived at design through both art and music in a lot of ways.
Q: The experimental portion of volumeone.com is updated several times a year, featuring conceptual narratives and personal visual work. When I think of Volume One, I think of cracking open a fresh new book. Every issue you've made IS brand new and different. What is Volume One to you? Is it your design playground? What kinds of visual narrative explorations have taken place there?
Matt: I have been doing volumeone since 1997 and it continues to be a place where I can explore my own ideas outside of client work. In many ways, it is the same as sitting in my bedroom drawing when I was a kid, just on the computer and a bit more complex..
Q: I really like the Spaceship Earth project for Heineken. What's the story behind that? How many programs did you use to make that? How long did it take you? How did you make that crazy looking skeleton?
Matt: Spaceship Earth took me a few months to complete. The 3D took time, as did the animation. A friend of mine was working on a project for Heineken and asked me to contribute it to their Greenspace project. The piece was not intended as a client project, but ended up as one. The idea behind the piece was to do something that was homage to prog rock bands like ‘Yes.’
Q: So, what's happening at the Riviera?
Matt: We just had our 3rd anniversary show. The gallery is good—it’s hard to juggle with work and everything else, but it is a labor of love.
Q: How did Athletics come about?
Matt: A group of super-talented friends of mine decided to develop a collective studio. Having worked at large agencies and having run my own business, the key to good work is talented people. With Athletics, we have pooled our wide range of skillsets to do both
personal and client projects.
The studio functions much like a medium-sized company. The difference is that there is flexibility and people can work on the projects that interest them. We are fortunate enough to have really great people that can bring both projects and talent to the studio environment.
Q: What's on your design horizon?
Matt: I am working on a new motion/print piece that should be done in June. We are also working on two large client projects that will be completed this summer.
Q: You seem to do a lot of excellent work, fast. Can you describe a little about your process, or give the budding designer any tips for keeping the flow going? How do you stay consistently creative and sharp?
Matt: I work pretty quickly but it really depends on the project. Client projects have a very clear process so that aspect of the studio is well-developed. Having been self-employed for 9 years all I can say is that key to doing good work is to do it. The work does not make itself. Try to work on your own ideas and learn as much a possible. Ultimately, you have to love what you do and remain excited about it.
There are tons of amazing people in the world and I continue to be excited about what is going on in art and design.
Q: How would you describe your aesthetic? How has it evolved over the years?
Matt: I have gone through phases. As I have learned more, my interests are in how to combine photographic, typographic, flat vector art and 3D into a coherent visual language. My aesthetic is still a work in progress.
Q: If you had to choose between working only with type or only with color which would you choose?
Matt: Color—it’s more universal.
Q: What are your five favorite font faces?
Matt: There are so many great ones. Lubalin Graph is one of my faves.
Q: How important is it to stay current in your field? How does staying current affect your prospects for work?
Matt: Staying current is fundamental. You have to know what is out there to do good work. You will be known for the work you do that gets out there and that people see. As a designer, you have to understand the contemporary design landscape and your place in it to know what you want to do.
Q: What would you like to see more of in contemporary graphic design?
Matt: More of the human touch.
Q: Where do find inspiration for your projects? Who are your inspirational designers/artists/etc? Why?
Matt: Inspiration is everywhere! The following are few folks I find amazing at what they do: Jim Houser, Herb Lubalin, rgb6, Hunter Gatherer, Steven Powers, Jeff Soto, Peter Saville
Q: How has web design (Flash) changed over the years?
Matt: It has changed with the technology. Creatively it has lost its innocence and along with it some of its magic as a medium in the last
several years. Only time will tell.
Q: What do you think the future holds for flash experience design?
Matt: I think Flash is becoming more of a tool for developers and that designs and developers will work together more closely. With Flash 8
I think you are going to see more use of video, its already happening.
Q: Finally—what are a few of your favorite things?
Matt: My girlfriend Amy, brother Mark, my family, my dog Miles.
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