Teesside born, Brighton based illustrator Sean Sims creates fun and vibrant illustrations. His Colourful designs have a distinctive retro feel yet they are still stylish and contemporary. He was kind enough to answer our quick 10.
What is your greatest achievement?
(apart from working with you guys of course!)... seriously!! I am a big fan of vintage fisher-price toys from the 1960's & 70's, and was recently asked by fisher-price USA to create a set of illustrations in the flavour of their 'classic' toys of that era in celebration of their 60th birthday. All down to them seeing the 'Playtime' range.
.. on a personal level... DJing on the Teesside leg of The Red Wedge Tour in 1984 with Billy Bragg (God bless our Billy)
...(and my two beautiful kiddies, Stanley and Mabel)
How would you describe your work/style to someone who hadn't seen it?
Edwin Star - H.A.P.P.Y 'I plan to help your day go by' or 1970's Primary School library-esque
What piece/product/design do you wish you had thought of?
The tape cassette springs to mind, that little object that for my generation created millions of bedroom band demos, musical love letters and taped highlights of John Peel! For a product that is now on the scarp heap of inventions, kids still find it's iconography cool! Much more fun than the boring iPod. I mean, you can'y decorate an iPod & post it through the girl you fancy's letterbox.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Rolf Harris, just for the fun! Or for seriousness London Transport, to bring back the art of the illustrated travel poster. LT were once such brilliant patrons of illustration. In these times of gloom I think we need some beautiful design to cheer us all up.
What is the worst job you have ever had?
Not having a job.
If you were on Death Row, what would your last meal be?
Being a Northerner, I do like a good pie (mash & mushy peas) and a packet of Bourbons. Failing that a special dinner cooked for me by TV Chef Rusty Lee to cheer me up.
What is the greatest movie of all time?
Tough question! It depends on my mood really. But if I have to say one I'll go for 'Tears of the Black Tiger' the Thai Western by Wisit Sasanatieng. Such a wonderful film on all levels. It is so beautifully coloured, mad as a hatter and a great love story too. A crazy genre bending box of delights! Big fan of Wes Anderson too with The Darjeeling Limited a close second.
What do you dislike most about popular culture?
The glamourising of ignorance and (in general) really rubbish music. Also this massive obsession with mobile phones. Over production in everything - less is more folks.
What is the greatest invention all time?
Apollo the moon landing has always been a great fascination of min since being a kid. To send three men to the moon in a pre-computer era is simply amazing! I also love the footage of the countdown and the incredible power from the engines! It's a thing of marvel and beauty. Oh and instant coffee and Nurofen too.
If you didn't do what you do. What would you do?
Professional car boot sale scourer.
Well done Sean! You were always the cleverest and bestest at drawing. "What would you do if you didn't do what you do?" I reckon you'd be the Indiana Jones of the junk shops ;-)
ReplyDeleteProud as punch me like xxx