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[ February 13th, 2006 ]
Kurt Ketchum belongs to a new generation of creative visionaries that believe in blurring the lines between graphic design, illustration and fine art. His interdisciplinary style is grounded in the belief that design and art should be a truly immersive experience. He is co-creator and founder of SMUV Brand, a design studio that is quickly becoming recognized for its elastic design philosophy.
On graphic design: Ketchum has worked for a number of leading consumer and promotional brands including Pepsi, Apple, Def Jam, AOL, and Parsons School. These retail and branding projects have launched him into the national and international arenas encompassing areas of packaging and lifestyle product designs. A current project found Ketchum to be at the design helm of a new flowering tea experience called Teaposy. This opportunity has allowed for a melding of Ketchum's whole skill set to produce a lifestyle product that is gaining national interest. On illustration: He often combines illustration with design to infuse his creations with a vibrancy that gives life to his work. His works have shown in NYC, LA, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Miami, Asia, Milan and Barcelona. A recent exhibition at Zakka in SOHO NYC introduced his own in-progress character line called RDSNKRZ. Next stop? Tokyo. Look for some of Ketchum's latest work to hit the streets with an iPod accessory collaboration to be launched real soon.
On SMUV Brand: You could do this anywhere. Why have you chosen to stay in Rochester? Gray is our favorite color.
What exactly does SMUV Brand do?
Artists of all disciplines and those who have passion for what they spend most of their days pursuing. Bunnies are a source of great inspiration. Very courageous. They encounter life despite their great fears. When did you know you were interested in design? And, what did you initially do about it? I was exposed at an early age to Magic Markers, photo chemicals and some outrageous giant vinyl breasts in the late 60's or early 70's. Design was not a word that was thrown about at that tender young age of 7, so I pursued a career in whiffleball. Whiffleball proved to be a dead end by the 80's and I have been interested in design ever since. I just recently figured out what it is. It's bigger than whiffleball in some ways but conceptually very similar. When they throw the breaking stuff, you just have to be a little patient. Are you particular about the design in other areas of life - besides work? ie: home?Yes If you could redesign a few iconic symbols what would they be? And how would you change them?
Midtown Plaza, in Rochester NY, has great potential. I can see this functioning as a design center to ignite economic possibilities and expose the creative forces residing here in Rochester. This would require some incredible patience. I would like to see some thought put to paper to make this into a structure to provide a platform for a critical transformation. It has been my perception that we are a city that is not capitalizing on its greatest resources. We are living in a design mecca. We just have not realized it yet. I would like to be part of that vision. Are you happy with where SMUV Brand is after four years?Never. To be content is to settle. - Contributed by Christiane Schull >> See more work from Kurt Ketchum>> See other member spotlights on the member spotlight index >> Find out more on how to become an altpick.com member |
