DJG Design
Graphic designer Danny Gibson doesn’t do things the way he’s supposed to.
And last we spoke, I think he said he’s not even using a computer anymore.
Based out of Kansas City, Danny is a prolific experimenter. Artist. Something like that. Has an eye for composition and his work is fresh, unusual and fun. I’m not even sure how I found him. Few years back, I’d shown his poster work in two local design exhibitions; one group show and a solo show at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center.
danny’s own take
Limited editions is the best way to describe what he does. Low budget, obsessive constructs. Mixed-media would be a good term too – since Danny uses anything he can get his paws on; used paper, envelopes, newspaper, stencils, handlettering, rubber stamps, yarn, hardware products – I’m pretty sure he’s got some rotting food in there too.
putting on a show
For the SFAC show poster (above), I sent Danny an email describing what should be on the poster. My actual email became part of the final product, his cat is at the bottom saying, ‘stop designing and feed me!’
The sheer volume of pieces in the exhibition was staggering, a few hundred framable band and club collateral, CD packaging things. I was glad we had a lot of room. A few months later, ADAC had a slient auction of some of the work. They went for really high prices.
what’s up
Today, Danny’s busy. Many shows.
This month, he has some new self-portraits (below) at a bar. Details (and many more images) here.
He also made band posters out of the self portraits. And made some dinosaurs with fall colors.
Been doing sheep stuff too.
And for fun, Danny entered a poster contest for Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant, entry below:
advice to students
Recently, we ended up in a conversation about the expectations of graphic design students. I often talk in my classes about how one has to define their own career, not just expect things to suddenly happen.
He gave me some advice to pass on – for students fresh out of school:
‘it depends on what avenue they wish to sail. if they find themselves disconnected and out of bounds from a typical design job/atmosphere, be the parent of their work and have the means to machete their own path . . .
‘i would suggest to follow heart and gut. to simply make stuff and it will be made the way it’s supposed to be made. don’t sit on hands waiting for the right this or that. flex every muscle to get the work out. if it has got something to say, it will be said. if not, work harder. if the work works, then be prepared to work harder too. give it the works. push-pull your many selves. wear holes in your own jeans.
‘if an everyday job is needed to raise funds then go for it (even if it’s for 8 years and at times a second job on top of that one). it will only add to the work pouring out in the moonlight and it can actually improve time management and production.
‘take breaks between art or even day jobs with writing, thinking, sketching, photographing, documenting, reading, watching and everything else. develop things internally on the go as well and envelope ideas without licking the seal.
‘also keep in mind that from a certain perspective, school isn’t over. whether in a creative area or not, a person should keep filling up their wagon on their walk. just keep in mind it’s not always a cake walk to go solo. be prepared to starve, scrape, work a thousand times harder and more passionate and even sometimes fall out of your own wagon. just be mindful of that machete.’
Follow Danny here. Website here. List of current and upcoming exhibitions here.
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Thanks Steve! -djg