Features
art & design
Chuck Anderson
The Boy Genius
"I've been an artist my whole life though, from a very young age I loved to draw and I just carried that love with me over the years.
" Chuck Anderson
Chuck Anderson is something of a legend in the design world. A self created success story. He's not the first one, sure, but by the age of 19 he was doing advertising for McDonalds and now, at 22, he has a client list so long and prestigious you'll have a birthday before you finish reading it. The man took some time out of being awesome to impart some sweet wisdom on Acclaim readers.
How would you describe yourself and what you do?
I am a freelance artist and designer who enjoys Seinfeld, cereal, Scrabble, hanging out with my friends and my wife Holly, and getting very little sleep. I work independently with all different types of clients like Reebok, Honda, Nylon, Burton, Nike, etc. which you can see at www.nopattern.com. I do a lot of personal work which is sold on www.npandco.com and I also run a site called The Brilliance with two good friends Benjamin Gott and Virgil Abloh - www.thebrilliance.com
How did you get started in art/design and how much of it was pre-planned?
Nothing was really pre-planned at all. I graduated high school in 2003, planned to go to college, decided to wait a year, and in between that time things really just kind of took off as I started promoting my own personal work and website to online design sites, small magazines, and Chicago based agencies. From there things spread and snowballed and I just kept at it until it was becoming a full-time thing. I don't even know how it all really happened with what I do now to be exact, it's been a really fast blur! I've been an artist my whole life though, from a very young age I loved to draw and I just carried that love with me over the years.
How would you describe your style?
Fun, energetic, reactionary, childlike. I just like to create things that are positive and make people feel good or gain a sense of wonder/dreaminess or drawings and illustrations that evoke a refined childlike approach to sketching with your imagination.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Two seven-letter words in one Scrabble game and getting married to someone much smarter than me. But I assume you meant with my work. Probably the speaking engagements I've been invited to over the years - speaking to college and high school students and having a hand in inspiring young and aspirational artists.
You've done ads, clothing, CD covers, shoes, guitars, purses and even cigarette lighters. What wouldn't you do?
I wouldn't do anything that I would be embarrassed to show to my younger brother, my grandmother, and my father-in-law. I like things to be enjoyed by all. I'm not trying to censor anything, I just choose to work in that kind of way and I'm very blessed to have the privilege of being selective with what work I take on.
What inspires you creatively and personally?
My wife, my family, my friends...those are the obvious things that keep me going. Creatively...probably just seeing other artists do things they love. Even if I don't love what they're doing on an artistic level I love seeing people who are passionate about things. That's inspiring to me.
What are the differences in your approach to personal work and commercial work?
Personal work - nobody gets to tell me what to do. I do a lot of the same style/look for commercial and personal work, but commercial work is usually dictated by more rules, direction, etc. Personal work you really have to motivate yourself and push yourself to make things unique without anyone doing the conceptual or direction work for you.
You can view more of Chuck Andersons work at his personal site No Pattern.
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I am a freelance artist and designer who enjoys Seinfeld, cereal, Scrabble, hanging out with my friends and my wife Holly, and getting very little sleep. I work independently with all different types of clients like Reebok, Honda, Nylon, Burton, Nike, etc. which you can see at www.nopattern.com. I do a lot of personal work which is sold on www.npandco.com and I also run a site called The Brilliance with two good friends Benjamin Gott and Virgil Abloh - www.thebrilliance.com
How did you get started in art/design and how much of it was pre-planned?
Nothing was really pre-planned at all. I graduated high school in 2003, planned to go to college, decided to wait a year, and in between that time things really just kind of took off as I started promoting my own personal work and website to online design sites, small magazines, and Chicago based agencies. From there things spread and snowballed and I just kept at it until it was becoming a full-time thing. I don't even know how it all really happened with what I do now to be exact, it's been a really fast blur! I've been an artist my whole life though, from a very young age I loved to draw and I just carried that love with me over the years.
How would you describe your style?
Fun, energetic, reactionary, childlike. I just like to create things that are positive and make people feel good or gain a sense of wonder/dreaminess or drawings and illustrations that evoke a refined childlike approach to sketching with your imagination.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Two seven-letter words in one Scrabble game and getting married to someone much smarter than me. But I assume you meant with my work. Probably the speaking engagements I've been invited to over the years - speaking to college and high school students and having a hand in inspiring young and aspirational artists.
You've done ads, clothing, CD covers, shoes, guitars, purses and even cigarette lighters. What wouldn't you do?
I wouldn't do anything that I would be embarrassed to show to my younger brother, my grandmother, and my father-in-law. I like things to be enjoyed by all. I'm not trying to censor anything, I just choose to work in that kind of way and I'm very blessed to have the privilege of being selective with what work I take on.
What inspires you creatively and personally?
My wife, my family, my friends...those are the obvious things that keep me going. Creatively...probably just seeing other artists do things they love. Even if I don't love what they're doing on an artistic level I love seeing people who are passionate about things. That's inspiring to me.
What are the differences in your approach to personal work and commercial work?
Personal work - nobody gets to tell me what to do. I do a lot of the same style/look for commercial and personal work, but commercial work is usually dictated by more rules, direction, etc. Personal work you really have to motivate yourself and push yourself to make things unique without anyone doing the conceptual or direction work for you.
You can view more of Chuck Andersons work at his personal site No Pattern.
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