An Interview With Lane Kinkade
Interview: Emi Tamaru
ABC: Tell us a little bit about what you do.
LK: I’m currently a student at Otis, I’ve worked as a Freelance designer before, mostly web design, and I used to create marketing pieces for Santa Barbara City College. I started from a digital background and have grown to love the hand-crafted pieces
ABC: What was the worst critique/review/feedback you were ever given and how did it make you feel?
LK: That would have to be my first review at Otis, my Communication Studio professor pulled me aside and gave me one of those “what the F$#K are you doing here” talks.
ABC: How did that experience change or not change the way you feel/felt about your art?
LK: I felt like shit for the rest of the day, but then forgot about it. My old man once said “If you get knocked off the horse, get right back on.”, I have no idea what the hell he was talking about.
ABC: You’re studying Graphic Design at Otis. What brought you to study design, and do you feel that is the best form of expression/outlet for your work?
LK: Graphic Design is such a broad field, It allows so much day to day variety so that a person with a short attention span (me) won’t ever get bored. I don’t really consider myself a Graphic Designer because my personal work extends outside of the “boundaries” but allows me to be grounded in realism, and limits me in a way to solve problems creatively.
ABC: Through your work, I see that you explore a lot of different cultures. What countries and/or cultures interest you most, and why?
LK: That’s a tough question… I appreciate art from all cultures, but I’ve always been fascinated by native american art, their simple yet strong and beautiful shapes, with color choices that are restricted to only that which they can produce in nature.
ABC: Culture seems to be a proficient source of inspiration for you. What kind of things inspire you and your work? Also, who are some artists/designers that have inspired you and your work?
LK: Bold colors, strong shapes, expressive linework and abstract content always inspire me. I’m a big fan of the fine artist Gabriel Orozco from Mexico, He does some pretty amazing work with found objects I’m also a fan of R. Crumb’s illustrations, Paul Rands logo work, Erik Spieikermann’s strict German type design, and Vassily Kandinsky the Russian artist who basically created modern art as we know it.
ABC: Do you feel like you are influenced by the culture you were brought up in, or rather, foreign cultures that you are not familiar with?
LK:Unfortunately white trash culture is not as deep and influential most would believe. But I’ve been interested in other cultures, I’ve traveled to India and Spain, and plan to travel everywhere else. I suppose foreign cultures have always been alluring because of their exoticism, but I’ve allowed myself to appreciate American culture, and let it influence me as well.
ABC: I see that you have started making 3D-versions of your design work, your customized Munny and totem pole being a good example. Do you plan to create more 3-dimensional work, and if so, what kind?
LK:Well I’m looking to create a series of the totems, and continue working with the Munnys. I’m also working on building up a proficiency in Maya3D and hope to design and create my own toys.
ABC: What would like to say to the other underdogs out there?
LK: Confidence and originality can go a long ways…Keep on, Keeping on…. Keep on trucking…umm nevermind.
Please give some love Lane Kinkade
