Graffiti to Graphic Design - Kings of Evolution Part 2 - The Sicksystems

Founded in 2003 - Moscow, Russia, Sicksystems began as a graffiti crew comprising of Aske, Kola and Kio. It hasn’t taken long for Sicksystems to extend their creative arms to graphic design, illustration, identity, typography and calligraphy. I can honestly say they are coming up with some of the freshest designs I have seen in a long time. Their style is a stimulating mix of contemporary cubism, geometric shapes, and modern typography infused with wildstyle graffiti lettering. Another perfect example of a graffiti crew turn graphic designers with a firm grasp on typography, injecting refreshments of originality and flair into the design community. Already landing clients such as Nike, Miller Beer, and Computer Arts Magazine - upholding a work ethic that would shun most international firms, you should keep a close eye on Sicksystems as they are sure to be doing big things in the near future.

Aske was kind enough to take some time out to not only have a chat, but also to design a

feature logo for Gráfica Real which is mighty fresh!

GR: How does your background of graffiti lettering have an impact on your use of typography in your corporate graphic design projects?

Aske: Everything we do has its roots in graffiti. It was a start, but then we realized that we had to progress and not limit ourselves to just making pieces on walls. That’s why we began creating digital graphics which were further developing the style of our graffiti pieces. We also started to implement our style in all the commercial projects we were involved in. Graffiti has helped us find our own approach to typography and to dealing with letters and fonts.

GR: GR: Your work has such strong form. Have you been involved in formal design or art schools, or are you all self taught? >

> Aske: I studied graphic design in college, but I quitted a year and a half before graduation, because I was offered a great job at a snowboarding outwear company.

Kio also studied graphic design in college. As for Kola, he is currently struggling to get his degree in optic engineering.

I think that when it comes to being an artist or a graphic designer, degree doesn’t really matter. What matters is your strong motivation and good taste. You can get some basic knowledge and skills in college, but after all it’s you who decide how to use them. Besides, there are other important things, such as experience. As for me, I got much more experience from working than from studying.

GR: What range of artists have been a source of inspiration for you along the way?

Aske: I’m always inspired by the artists, graffiti writers, or graphic designers who have their own original style.

When in 2000 I started doing graffiti I was really inspired by the pieces of our local Moscow writers. The Russian graf scene was quite unique, because we had no access to graf magazines or videos whatsoever. It was very interesting for me to watch its development and later to be a part of it.

At the same time I kept an eye on different foreign artists; train bombers, graffiti writers and writers making their way to graphic design. Though all of them had their own distinctive view on graffiti, I was inspired by their achievements and success, no matter whether these were whole trains in the Metro of Paris or Stockholm, huge murals in Germany, or street related graphics for Nike or Adidas.

Today I’m still get inspired by the achievements of other people. The only thing that has changed is my field of interest; I’ve become quite bored with graffiti. It’s more interesting for me now to discover some fresh >

> and unusual works of modern artists, architects, graphic and fashion designers.

GR: It’s great to see your roots reflected in your work. Specifically, speaking about your take on ‘Matryoshka’ (also known as Babushka dolls). Was this a conscious effort of patriotism or just a spontaneous idea?

Aske: It was made for an exhibition called ‘Glasnost Dead’ which will be held this spring in France. They’d like to exhibit some ‘Matryoshka’ dolls customized by the Russian artists. And since it’s organized by some French friends of one of my buddies, Stas Scheme, he offered me to customize these dolls. So this work has nothing to do with patriotism. It was just another object I had to customize. It was quite an exciting experience. I came up with an idea of not just painting the dolls but giving them some additional volume. So I cut out some pieces with a knife; and when I showed the pictures to my friends, they all asked me how I did that.

GR: What do you think the biggest asset your graffiti background has given you in the evolution of your art to a digital medium?

Aske: The motto of graffiti is to get your works seen by as many people as possible, and to have your own original and recognizable style. No matter what we do we try to follow this rule, and I think that this is the biggest asset graffiti has given us.

GR: What is the relationship between geometric shapes and graphics for you?

Aske: Geometric shapes for me is just a set of elements we use in our works. I like everything being clear and precise, and this includes both the artwork itself and the working process as well.

GR: What is the general process when creating a typical Sicksystems design?

Aske: I always start with a pencil sketch. >

> This way it’s easier for me to come up with the right idea and to make the first draft for the project. When I’m done with the sketch, if I work not on a canvas or a wall, I scan it and convert it into vector graphics.

Kio and Kola sometimes don’t make sketches and work on a computer from the start, but I personally can’t deprive myself of the pleasure of drawing on paper.

GR: Can you tell us about some of the projects your working on now, and what’s next for Sicksystems?

Aske: Right now I’m working on several commercial projects and waiting to receive the samples of Montana Cans Artists Series T-shirts with our graphics. We also made some T-shirt designs for a two small street wear brands from St. Petersburg and from London. The shirts must be released soon, and we’ll make sure to upload them on our site.

Also a streetwear trade show and exhibition

called “Faces&Laces” will be held in Moscow in April. We’ll have our own stand there, so in March we are going to start working on a sculpture we’d like to install there. I think that this year the show will be very interesting and exciting, because our friends, who organize the whole thing, are planning to invite world famous writers and artists, including Zedz, KR, Stak and Superblast.

As for our future plans, I’d like to find more opportunities to collaborate with foreign artists and brands. We receive very positive feedback from all around the globe, from Columbia to Australia, so I think that we stand a very good chance of success.

GR: Thanks for taking some time out with us, any last words?

Aske: Thanks for all your questions and for the opportunity to tell people about ourselves and to show our work. It’s very important for us. Thanks for your support! And good luck to your site!