When it comes to creative talent, we like to be ahead of the curve. But sometimes we go after the well-known and loved—like Craze One designer, Adam White. Nebraska kid through and through, this former roller rink stuntman has mad skills. In fact, we have had a hard time keeping up with him. Besides his main gig: a graphic t-shirt line called Craze One, his current projects include an animated music video, a vinyl action figure and a snowboard design. Busy man, we know. We thought we’d shine some light on this man of the moment...
Published in the book, Faesthetic by Threadless
SITM: Which SITM styles are stamped with your name?
AW: Stormy, Sparrow, Baby Jacks, Adam's Apple… plus I helped re-design a number of others. Then I worked on a few of the holiday cards and ads over the years. It’s been a lot of fun!
SITM: Do you wear the socks or shirts you've designed?
AW: Once in a while. I wear all the Sock It To Me men’s designs. Favorite socks I own.
SITM: What's the deal with your GARBAGE PAIL KIDS® design for Craze One?
AW: Honestly, the whole project has been a dream come true. In the late 90's, I went down my list of projects I wanted to accomplish in a lifetime. A Garbage Pail Kid related project was always on my mind, so after some research, I tracked down GARBAGE PAIL KIDS® artist John Pound and bought an original color rough painting from the original series. We have been corresponding ever since. (He is a really nice guy, and one of my favorite artists.) For almost a decade now, John and I have talked about creating a Garbage Pail Kids parody sticker card for my clothing label Craze One, and last year, it finally happened: A full color vinyl sticker that has a die-cut peel out center (just like the originals) with a short comic strip I illustrated on the back. Each of the 1,000 'first print - 1a series' is hand numbered in sequential order. Like I said, a dream come true!
Adam's sketches for a logo concept, part of which was used for his former clothing store/gallery, Eighteen Tigers
SITM: We heard you started out with a Lite Brite. Ever try your hand at Etcha-Sketch?
AW: I have. Many years ago I once spent hours Etcha-Sketching a drawing of a living room, with every detail of the TV, furniture, wallpaper, and base boards. It sat on display, propped up on a shelf behind the counter of a store downtown, untouched for years. When the store moved, they returned it to me, still intact like the day it was created. One day a friend came over, and I took it out of the box to show him. I said "Remember this from about 8 years ago?" His first reaction was to turn it upside down and shake it....gone just like that.
SITM: What is your fave, go-to daily website?
AW: Flickr.com: Simple, inspirational, and easy to get lost in.
SITM: Your drink of choice after a long day?
AW: A cold soda pop, really. Caffeinated, cold bubbly goodness!
SITM: Favorite book?
AW: Right now, it is a book I've been working on for over a year now. It's called SHIN SPLINT, an inspiring collection of illustrators, graphic designers, painters, photographers, musicians and various interviews from around the world.
Published in the book, Faesthetic by Threadless
SITM: Best thing about Lincoln, Nebraska?
AW: Quiet and safe (he says with a “question mark”). I really don't know anymore. I guess, like a lot of people, I just have a little spot in my heart for the town I grew up in.
SITM: Worst thing about Lincoln, Nebraska?
AW: Lack of bands touring here, no Ethiopian restaurants, snow...lots and lots of snow.
SITM: Who would you be most honored to have wear one of your designs?
AW: David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Iggy Pop, Alan Alda, Michael Cera
SITM: David Bowie... yeah. Totally. We're with you. Good luck to you, Adam! We love you.
p.s. Check out Adam's graphic tees, photos and projects on Flickr.
