A Quick Introduction

Jeffrey Bowman (MrBowlegs) works out of his studio based in Huddersfield, England, producing work in the field of Graphic Design and Illustration for magazines, skateboards, t-shirts, editorial, exhibitions, music and motion. Established in 2006 Bowman has gone on to produce work for clients such as Converse, Element Skateboards, Nylon and The BBC. Crucial to the development of his practice Bowman has continually developed self initiated works, producing zines (the most recent being Doodling for Doodling Sake), as well as exhibitions and his most successful project to date, The Wizard’s Hat.

Q: What was your art school experience like? Did your school have a good design program?

A: I think my experience was good, I was left to discover who I am as a designer/illustrator, the tutors set the work and were there to help you but there was a lot of self motivated study, research and development, and I think its what’s instilled my work ethic in me now, as I’m constantly working, developing and trying new things.

Have you ever thought about pursuing a master’s degree in graphic design or illustration?

I have indeed, come January 2010 I will be back at university studying for 1 year on the MA International Graphic Design Practice course at The University of Huddersfield. I have work in industry for 3 years now and have recently gone freelance, I really want to document the journey so far and develop my work ready for the rest of my life and I think the MA is going to be something that’s going to take what I’ve done so far and push my work and thinking to a new place.

What materials do you use for your work? How does the balance of pencil and mouse work for you? Do you think it’s beneficial to not be bound to the computer and experiment with more fine art materials in design work?

Everything I do starts in pencil then gets put into the computer, and I work on it from there with colour and textures. I try to create work where I don’t use the computer at all, I think its important to have a body of work were the computer doesn’t even take part in the process, but then I also think and try to figure out how the computer works best with my work and what advantages it can bring. I think it’s a healthy relationship.

What difficulties do you run into when creating a zine? What advice would you give to us just starting out at FISK?

I think be prepared for people not subbing on time or at all, always have a plan B, C and D. Make sure your generating ideally something you want, and something you would buy, read and enjoy.

Can you describe your process for creating The Wizards Hat?

It’s quite a simple process really, we would come up with the brief and concept, which normally consisted of something Andy and myself really wanted to explore. From there we thought about who we wanted to be involved, illustrators we are influenced by, some pro’s and some people who are a little less known, then we would ask a couple of people who have emailed to ask if they could submit. We wanted to keep a very varied array of content and felt this method was the best way to achieve this.

What designers/illustrators influence you today?

To many to name, I really admire people with a good work ethic and push themselves. People like Damien Correll whose work has that next level of quality, he is a master of what he does and I really admire that. Andy J.Miller though he’s one of my really great friends he influences me and pushes me to do work, he’s pushing himself to the brink!

What is your driving force, what is it you want to say with the work you are putting into the world?

My driving force is strong ideas/concepts executed with passion and conviction. A lot of my work has reference to space and the universe, I love space and the wonders out there, this reflects in my work and thought process, we as humans still don’t know really where this all began, were space started and will end, and how it came to be, the same can be said for a drawing or an idea, where does it come from, why can I draw this like this, how did I get this idea and thought.

With all of the design blogs/websites out there, for us and students all over what would you like to see with FISK?

I think again stuff that you’re into and would enjoy reading. For students it would be good to see lots of resources and site to help get them on the path and the ball rolling. I know when I was a student there seems to be a lack of help, or someone/something to show you the way. I think there’s so much out there now it would be good to show them!

What advice do you have for design students that are just starting their design educations and ones that are about to graduate and go into the “real world” to start their design careers?

There’s so much advice, but the one thing I applied to my time studying was try everything while you can, that’s what university is there for, a safe environment to try everything and anything and if it doesn’t work it doesn’t matter you move onto the next project. As for students who are about to graduate I think id say just hold and for something you want, don’t go crazy and end up taking the wrong or any job going.

Dream client or job? Worst client experience?

My dream client, that’s hard, there’s so many, though I’m more interested in dream genre, skate and surf, I want to really move into that area. I’m my own worst client, self initiated stuff often falls by the wayside because I want to do something else or I get distracted by client work.

Thank you for the interview!

Links: Jeffrey Bowman Official Site