Interview by Craig Shimala

Why hello there, how are you doing today?
Good thanks, just arrived at work - I get here early so have some time to surf Threadless

Well Threadless is becoming the most important meal of the day. Speaking of beginnings, did you go to school? Where at and what for!?
I briefly went to design school in Auckland before getting some work, design was what I always wanted to get into

Since you briefly went to school. Do you feel it's not that important?
There's definitely alot to be gained from formal design education but I guess there will always be mixed opinion from an employers point of view whether someone who has studied design is better than someone who hasn't, From personal experience I think alot can be gained from just working alongside really talented people, its inspiring and makes you better at what you do, A design education gives you firm grounding but there will always be talented people who havent studied


How'd you get your start in design?
I got a job illustrating for a small newspaper company about 13 years ago and then moved to a design studio about 3 years later.

Outside of Threadless, what type of work do you do for a living?
A bit of Corporate Identity, mostly packaging design for food and beverage - there's alot of strategy that goes behind what design works for the right target market, and its satisfying seeing something youve done on a shelf somewhere.

What was your 'big break'?
Probably where I am now, a graphic design studio in Auckland city - just good timing, freelanced here for awhile then got full time position.

What kind of freelance work were you doing?
I had just returned home from a few years overseas, so I was looking for full time employment - I was doing a bit of corporate identity work, then freelanced where I am now doing packaging

What inspired your work?
Everything - alot of stuff from when I was a kid, everybody has a link with old TV Programs or toys you had growing up.

I can definately see a few of those in your work. I don't know where I would be without Perfect Strangers, Pee Wee's Playhouse and SNL. I have a few Pee Wee Toys on my desk right now. What were a few of your favorites?
Ah yes, Perfect Strangers - Did Balki ever return to Mepos? - I was always a fan of The Dukes of Hazzard, Chips, The Greatest American Hero, Knightrider - All of that 80's Crap!! - Amazing how you could turn Michael Knight into his evil brother Garth just by putting a pencil moustache and and eye patch on David Hasselhoff!. I think Movies like Toy Story were so successful because people have memories and a connection to all of those toys when they were growing up


What do you do to get past creative blocks?
I just leave it for it for a while, do something else then the best idea will just hit you out of the blue

What's the most played song on your iPod?
I have an iPod but its in a draw somewhere

Ok, so what's your current favorite artist/song or cd you can't stop listening to?
Blackeyed Peas gets alot of air time in our studio.

How has Threadless helped you?
The cash is a good start! And you can take a bit from the comments people make, you cant get too caught up in it but different people have different ways of looking at things which can be enlightening.

Have you received a lot of work inquiries from your submissions on Threadless?
I do get a few inquires in the comments of some of my submissions, I'm terrible at getting back to them though - sorry! I get a bit sidetracked with work - will have to get onto that.

How and when did you hear about Threadless?
We had a freelancer in at work who told me about it last year - so I thought Id give it a go!


And give it a go you have... You've quickly become the 'it' guy on Threadless. Do you feel any pressure submitting stuff with everyone expecting so much from you now?
Well, if I didn't feel it before I feel now - the "it" guy is a big call, there's some talented people submitting stuff on here! - I dont really feel any pressure, although I do find myself thinking about what I can do next quite often - instead of counting sheep at night Im thinking about t shirt ideas!. You're always going to get people who really like a submission and people who don't, I just do what I think is funny or works well on a shirt and see what happens.

Do you think that Threadless helps designers?
Yeah, its great exposure and I think you can gain a bit from the constructive comments people make but just as long as you don't take things to heart too much.

Do you have any personal favorites on Threadless?
My stuff or other designers? Out of my stuff, Id say Potatohead is Dead, Calling Home, and It's a bottle Jim. As far as other work - Like I say, there are alot of talented people submitting designs - I like Matthew Flemings stuff, great illustration and ideas

Thanks Threadless!

Thank you Glenn!!!

Interview by Craig Shimala

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