Award winning Disco Teck, the man behind our new logo discusses art, naked chicks and columbian coffee…

When did you first realise you had a skill for art and what sparked your interest?

It was the first thing I was any good at. I was the one at the back of class drawing naked chicks in the backs of my mates notebooks; I’ve stuck with it ever since.

Tell us about some of the clients you’ve worked for - how you would describe your style and the media you use?

I’ve worked with some good ones and some awful ones. They get better the more work you’ve got under your belt though. The best ones trust you enough to really let your style shine through without any limitations, which is rare with some of the bigger brands due to corperate guidelines. Reebok have been good to me, I’ve done T-shrt designs, advertorial illustrations, murals and custom shoes for them. The type of work I do varies greatly. I like working a style through a variety of media, it keeps it interesting.

 

 

Tell us about Monorex and your involvement with Secret Wars?

Monorex is more of an Agency than a collective. Having an ‘Agent’ of sorts finding you work makes it a lot easier to make a living out of what you do!

Secret Wars is the Live Illustration Battle concept dreamt up by the Monorex mastermind Mr Terry Guy. Ive been involved with SW since day one and seen it grow into a global phenomenon. It’s actually scary how that took off. I’ve travelled to all corners of the world off the back of it. I never thought it would get any attention outside of Shoreditch, now look at it! It’s probably due to the ammount of internet spam they put out.

 

 

So you’re the man behind our new logo. Tell us about the process of designing it and what drew you to working with us…

I followed the original blog and thought the content was great but the logo would benefit from a fresh twist, I had a vision for it, it came up in a conversation with Jonny (Hot 110 editor) so I offered my services. I liked the way the words Hot One Ten read the same downwards when written one on top of another, great logo potential! So I did a version like that and another in a fat hand drawn script.

 

So you’ve got a blank canvas in front of you - how do you start, many argue this is the hardest part - do you find this?

It is the hardest part, that’s why I try not to think about it too much! A simple idea that makes me laugh is a good place to start.

You work full time from a studio, how do you keep yourself continually motivated?

I get to do what I love everday, so it’s hard to lose motivation. Working with a good group of peers helps keep you on track.

Would you describe yourself as an artist, illustrator or something else?

When I’m hiring a van I put ‘illustrator’ in the occupation box of the insurance papers. Insurance companies dont like the label ‘jack of all trades’.

To what extent do music and fashion influence your work, if at all?

I’m always playing music pretty loud at my studio: mostly house, techno, disco and old synthy stuff. I suppose my work has a similar energy to it. I like rhythm when I’m working and after a few cups of the finest columbian coffee I work like a machine! Ha ha.

I’ve produced work for brands like Reebok, Addict, The Hundreds, to name a few so fashion is more of an income than an influence.

What projects are you currently working on and where can people see more of your work and how can they get in touch?

I’m currently working on a collaboration with Edding pens and Head Snowboards. They’re bringing out a super limited ‘Disco Teck’ board in conjunction with the release of the new ‘Edding art series’ pens, look out for them this Christmas!

Just started working with a new collective called ‘pirates’. Its different to an agency as we are working together on self initiated projects as well as taking on commercial work. Its not just people from a painting background either. photographers, model makers, film makers too…the idea is to be able to create some really interesting productions documented accross a range of media ‘in house’. we’ve got a great group of artists involved…Jimi Crayon, alfa, stika, jamie brown, mr p, jiggery pokery, tan one, Will Robson Scott to name a few…We’ve just been signed as a collective to Central Illustration Agency in London and Bernstein & Andrulli in New York so expect some big things next year.

Pirates in action:

If anyone wants to see more of my work, go to www.teckstyle.co.uk and follow my blog.

Peace!

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