CHAPTER.4/ voice of the rebels
with Rich damm
All of my inspirations come from a background of an underdog, rebellious type. These themes fuel my designs.
I’ve always been the black sheep- family, friends, school. all of it. I learned to vibe with it.
CHap.4/
VOICE OF THE REBELS
Note: only the voiceover is ai generated in this feature.
THE BEST ADVICE HE RECEIVED ON HIS JOURNEY
“if you aren’t looking, you aren’t making.”
One of my favorite professors once told me this statement and it really resonated with me. I find myself saying it; reflecting quite often. To expand, if you aren’t looking at the world around you and taking in what other creatives are making/ pushing out, how can I expect to push my own work?
I believe there’s inspiration in everything. You just have to know where to search.
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
-Winston Churchill
GRAB YOUR FATCAP & BOARDSLIDE INTO THE CULTURE
Rich Damm is a Multidisciplinary Designer and veteran of creative. His ‘custom culture’ illustrations and hand lettering spin a mixture of grit, disruption, and humanity in art.
New York Born and Raised, You can easily envision his hand-drawn designs gracing the walls of Williamsburg or shredding rails in LES in a ‘supreme’ style. Damm's deck is stacked with fully custom, top-notch work for local brands (musicians to eateries) and brand work for Dr. Seuss.
WHICH CREATIVE WORKS DO YOU TURN TO BOOST YOUR LEVELS OF INSPIRATION?
I watch skate videos, and old-school movies to get inspired from a creative standpoint.”
I go back to things that inspired me when I was younger- I’m always listening to music (new + old) when I’m working, I’ll watch skate videos, and old-school movies (mostly horror or Star Wars) to get inspired from a creative standpoint. I also really like going to museums or looking through different art or photography books.
NFT designs for Dr. Seuss (Cat in The Hat, Grinch, & The Lorax)
Signature custom (type and illustration) by Rich Damm
CREATIVE DISCIPLINES THAT HAVE IMPACTED DAMM’S SKILLS
Art and murals, comics, skateboard culture and companies, commercial illustration, and music would be main sources of inspiration. My ADHD is to blame for having so many sources of inspiration, being that I can’t focus on just one thing. Although I used to look at it as a bad thing, I now see it as a superpower. Because my brain shifts focus rapidly, I’m able to funnel many views and perspectives into my work. And I believe it really shows!
RICH ON WHAT FOOD HE LOVES TO GET HUNGRY OVER, WHILE DRAWING…
I love drawing all types of food really, but My weakness is a good burger (Drawing).
I love to cook and I find my brain tracing ingredients, teaching myself to draw it while I’m cooking. I love that part about myself.
RICH DAMM
MENTEE MOMENTS
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