We are The Official Manufacturing Company: Jeremy Pelley, Mathew Foster, Fritz Mesenbrink. They have the necessary documents. They are thing makers.
First of all I would like to thank you for the opportunity to interview you. Let’s start with the usual, how did you get into design? Could you say there was a something that defined your birth as a designer?
J: I grew up in the middle of nowhere in Texas, skateboarding and making things. I learned early on to make the most out of nothing. I never thought of doing design formally as a career until I got into a program at Wieden+Kennedy called wk12. Jelly Helm and that program really opened my eyes to that being an actual possibility.
M: I had no idea that design was even a career possibility until I got to college. I’d been playing in bands for years, and had a moment when I realized that I cared a whole lot more about making the posters and drawing up shirts than dealing with touring or recording.
F: I grew up in a small town on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State and also didn’t know that one could do this for a living until after graduating from college the first time. I would’ve majored in art, but didn’t think I’d make enough money as an artist, so I studied Communications and German. Then I realized that all of the jobs I wanted to do were in the field of design and I didn’t have the right skill set to get hired for them. So I went back to school at Portland State and got a second degree in graphic design. It was one of the smartest moves I’ve ever made.
Tell us about your work process. How do you find the ideas? Is it hard to generate a good idea?
J: I use a magnifying glass. And its not too hard to generate a good idea if you have enough whiskey. Or weed. The hard part is knowing if they are good, or just thinking that they are good.
M: I have a really strong flashlight.
F: I always come up with ideas in the shower. I don’t know why, but I do.
Have you ever had a creative block? If yes, what do you do?
M: I went to a cave deep in the mountains, where I lived with the wolves and other mountain creatures. I drank from streams and howled at the moon. I’ve been better ever since.
F: I used to have them a lot more. Most of them came from just thinking about projects instead of starting on them and really getting into them. Most of the better ideas come from really knowing a project/client.
J: Yes. I keep mine in water to keep it fresh.
Apart from the profits, what type of satisfaction do you get from your work?
M: None I can think of … just profits.
F: Lots. We’re doing what we do because we love coming up with ideas and making stuff. What’s more satisfying that getting paid to do what you love?
J: Life ain’t nothing but bitches and money™.
Can you show us your workplace?
J: Sure, take a look!
F: Only if you show us yours.
M: But you’re in Russia? Oh, like in pictures.
From where do you draw your inspiration? Recommend 5 favourite websites.
M: Reference Library; Cold Splinters; The Scout; Wary Meyers; Wo & We
J: From everywhere. engrish.com, google, craigslist, referencelibrary blog, and turnoffyourcomputerandgooutside.com
F: instagram / inkstagram, craigslist, enzogram.tumblr.com, ummmmm I don’t usually draw that much inspiration from websites. Mathew usually sends me links to cool things. And I like to draw inspiration from found objects, not ffffound objects.
What font is your favorite?
M: Toss-up between “hobo” and “papyrus”
J: Definitey “giddyup”. Its so universal.
F: Enzo Gothic™ (soon to be released)
Tell us about your recent project? What was the biggest challenge in the project?
M: We recently did a store for the Gap, in Los Angeles, in a big ol’ shopping mall. We were installing neon, art and whatnot on the walls and had to eat in the food court for three days straight. That really took a toll on my spaghetti factory, if you know what I mean.
J: Yes, the Gap store was quite a challenge. We slept a total of 5 hours in 3 days, I think.
F: Yes.
If you were not a designer, what other things would you have done?
M: More drugs, and probably have become a scientist of some sort? I really don’t know what else I’d be doing. Making and selling drugs sounds about right.
J: I would be a hit man probably. Sounds exciting. Or maybe I would work in a library. Or maybe be an astronaut. Or a mailman.
F: Carpentry.
What everyday thing you cannot live without?
M: Coffee. Many cups of coffee. And peeing and pooping.
J: Oxygen? Food? Water, too, I think. Peeing and pooping, too.
F: My wife and my son. And Stumptown Coffee. And peeing and pooping.
Once again, thank you very much for the interview.
