Psychedelic designer, artist, film director Nick Thomm quit his graphic design degree and developed his own self taught unique style that rocks. He is also founder of THE DROP Studio & SRC783 Magazine. His work is almost always sold out. He was named in the Design Collectors Top Directors of 2011, and has spoken for the AGDA's First Five Out conference. Now he's in New York preparing for some more solo shows. Watch this space.
Where did you study? How did your creative career begin?
I started a clothing label when I finished high school, so that was the beginning I guess. I did study graphic design for a little while at uni, but I found it to be really negative for my work / creativity so I quit.
Whats your style and how did it develop?
It’s always evolving, I try not to label it too much because then it becomes hard to progress. I would say it developed from being self taught, quitting uni and learning things on my own definitely made my style a lot more unique.
Where do you go / look for inspiration?
Fashion and music are big inspirations for me. I work on lots of different projects, so one thing tends to influence the other. I will often be researching for a design project, or for the magazine, and then an idea will come to me that would make the perfect artwork or vice versa.
All your work is ‘sold out’, how do you do it?
Haha, I’m not sure. People have just responded really well to the work I have put out since my first solo show in 2012, which I’m super grateful for. I’m trying to push my style forward all the time, so that when I release my next works or whatever people can see the progression of my style.
Because art is such a solo experience, I think collaboration is a nice way to develop your style and to recognise the strengths within your own work. When I feel the time is right, I would love to collaborate more within the music industry.
What advise would you give to other creatives wanting to get their artwork out there and noticed?
Don’t look at artist you like and try to achieve what they are doing. If you really want to be relevant, you need to create a style that you can own, and that people know is yours, even without putting your name to it.
You seem to love collaborations, who would you like to collaborate with next and why?
Because art is such a solo experience, I think collaboration is a nice way to develop your style and to recognise the strengths within your own work. When I feel the time is right, I would love to collaborate more within the music industry. I feel like there is a huge area that hasn’t been explored at the intersection of new-media art and music. Particularly electronic music, just because the two have a similar creation process with totally different outcomes. I would love to work on something where the artist and the musician have equal say in the outcome or final performance.
Any upcoming shows / projects?
I’m working in NYC at the moment, and I’ll be making a few announcements for international solo exhibitions really soon.
What can we expect to see from you in 2014 and beyond?
More gallery shows, a few more conceptual pieces and some video works.
