THAT VECTORFUNK
Matt From MWM Graphics Talks His Vector Series
By Kendrick Daye
When interviewing a designer like Matt W. Moore of MWM Graphics, you almost don’t know where to start. He does Typography, Logos, Graffiti, Type Treatments, Apparel, Web Design, Icons, and even the now obligatory blog. Luckily for me, Matt knew exactly what he wanted this feature to focus on—his vectors series which he calls Vectorfunk.
"It was a natural and exciting evolution from pencil and Sharpie illustration, just way more precise!"
Art Nouveau Magazine: Tell me about your Vectorfunk work and how does it differ from your other works?
Matt W. Moore: I began exploring vector illustration in college. In the beginning, I was mostly using vectors to create typefaces and logos. It was a natural and exciting evolution from pencil and Sharpie illustration, just way more precise! My ongoing Vectorfunk Series is the area of my art and design where I just go crazy. Maximum flair, with colors and abstraction. Most of them so far are 100% abstract, just flow and funk.
ANM: How have they evolved?
MWM: It has been a solid five years, and the series has definitely evolved. The first set of posters I did were monochromatic. But now, most of them are in hypercolors. I’m always exploring new ways to create textures and depth through layering shapes instead of using gradients. I am also starting to explore more representational illustrations. I believe this will be the next chapter for Vectorfunk.
ANM: Have you ever thought of making them 3D, complete with glasses and everything?
MWM: YO! That would be legit. Let me write that down real quick. Great idea. I also want to do more animation with vectors. I have been exploring Flash and After Effects a bit, and it is rad.
ANM: What attracted you to vectors?
MWM: It is the most precise you can get with design. Straight math. I feel like a surgeon… all zoomed in 2000%, lining stuff up. And as I’m sure you know, vectors are infinitely scalable. I could print a poster a mile long and it would be as crisp as the printer is capable of.
ANM: Your work is so intricate, how do you not get lost in your designs when designing your vectors?
MWM: That’s funny. Some people think I must be “lost in the vectors” to come up with such weird shit! I guess I just stack stuff up and always move around, never too focused on one area.
ANM: Why the name VectorFunk?
MWM: Funk is just raw and soulful. When you go to a funk show, you sweat… and you make sure to rock those kicks that you are not so sure about. You know, that pair that is definitely dope, but kinda weird. We all have that one outfit, you know? That is funk to me.
ANM: A lot of your vectors remind me of Geometry and Origami; were you interested in that as a kid or even now?
MWM: Geometry and math, for sure. Origami is legit too. Nuff respect to the masters of origami. My stuff is definitely not as dialed as that. It is more like a DJ remix of origami.
ANM: You attended SCAD, the Savannah campus or the Atlanta campus; how did you like it there?
MWM: I was in Savannah. It was a good school and a cool area. Definitely had that southern vibe going on. I’m a New England cat though, I need the seasons, the mountains, the north east hustle and bustle. SCAD was alright. Art College is what you make of it.
ANM: I also noticed you always find a slick way to put your signature in there, how did that come about? And do you think an artist needs to sign their work?
MWM: I like signing my stuff. As discreet as possible. It is so dope to visit a friend I haven’t seen for years and see a painting from ten years ago that I can hardly remember painting. It is good to sign and date stuff, as long as it doesn’t pop too much.
ANM: Have you ever been approached about making these a video game, I think Tetris when I see many of these.
MWM: Tetris is the only video game I play. Man it would be rad to work on something like that.
ANM: How would you describe your vectors to anyone who has never seen them?
MWM: If an architectural draftsman went crazy… in 1993. Or if you went to an M.I.A. show and someone gave you a nice, wet high-five!
ANM: What's next for you?
MWM: Big things in 08. Just moved to Boston to be 100% freelance for the first time in my career. It is a very exciting time for me. The MWM Graphics Studio is up and running and I’ve been fortunate to land some great projects. I have two books dropping this summer, my annual b/w book – MWM B:4, and a solo book with ROJO of my art and design career thus far. I hope to travel much more and paint a bunch of murals this summer. Steady grinding and growing.
For everything Matt W. Moore and MWM Graphics please visit http://mwmgraphics.com/.
