Levi's – Print Workshop With Anthony Burrill
posted by Yin on 14/07/2012
5am in London on FRIDAY 13th. Most people are asleep and I’m awake trying to conjure up questions for one of my design idols – Anthony Burrill whilst editing the remaining 2000 wedding photographs from the past weekend’s shoot. The earliest I’m usually awake on an average day is 5:30am – 5am is just a tad too early since my average bedtime is 1am. Yesterday, Levi’s launched its first ever London-based in-store Print Workshop in collaboration with acclaimed graphic designer Anthony Burrill; the interactive installation calls on Londoners to get their hands dirty and craft a screen print of their very own Levi’s tee with limited edition screens created by Anthony. More on the reverse.
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I’ve always thought screen printing was a pretty simple process of just applying paint to a screen, it is but there’s so much more to it than meets the eye. It’s similar to taking a photograph, turning a negative into a positive. It’s funny, I was just thinking about getting a few tees screen-printed a couple of days ago – simple typography tees and knowing my design style from dope quotes – it would have turned out to be pretty similar to this.
The experiential origin space at the front of the Regent’s Street has been transformed into an interactive screen-printing space that’ll play host to the live print workshop that celebrates the brand’s craft, innovation and style. Craftsmen will be there on hand for the duration of the feature to help customers create their own tee. The Print Workshop launches with three designs from Anthony that uniquely represent the city’s vibrancy and culture.
As with any strong multifaceted campaign these days, social media has to play a significant part in some shape or form. The brand has embraced with a Twitter campaign which enables fans to get involved in the creative process by suggested their own London/crafts-inspired slogan using the #PrintLondon. The most original will be iconised the following day as the print workshop live T-shirt graphic. DOPE – I’ve submitted ‘talk less, create more‘. You can also take a photograph via a Say Fromage photobooth and then tweet/FB it to your networks. Big up Exposure and Levi’s for nailing this project on the head. Omelette du fromage…
I’ll leave you there, have a gander at the imagery and short interview with Anthony below. Props to Hannah from Exposure for taking the photographs of me
Follow him, talented screen print artist. I want to do a feature on screen printing – there’s so much more than meets the eye.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Um, I’m a graphic artist/designer. I’ve been doing it for about 20 years and I’ve always kind of made my own work and worked with different brands. Mostly I work in shows at galleries and I do lots of workshops around the world so I travel a fair bit.
Levi’s collaboration – How did this all come about?
Levi’s contacted me and asked if this was something I’d be interested in. I do get lots of requests for things but I’ve always worn Levi’s so I was quite happy to do it. The environment of the store, I like the way everything is kind of set and it works positively with my work.
Look at me though. Professional screen printer soon come, I am fascinated by this print form.
Why minimalist design?
I’m always When I’m working on something, all the elements have to have really strong reason for being there. Throughout the process I reduce things down as much as possible. As you know, it’s all about the message, the text and the words really. I just like to use very simple means for working.
Who or what has influenced your design, anyone you look unto?
I definitely think so, I think I’m inspired by non-design like street graphics, vernacular, simple signage and industrial graphics.
Where did the all the positive, optimistic quotes all originate from?
I’m naturally quite an optimistic person. I just like to put positive messages out there.
So are they all your own words?
Yep, all mine.
First layer done. Little smudge on the corner, apparently it adds personality.
Interesting, I actually thought they were famous quotes that you’ve utilised. In terms of picking the right client, someone like you must get offers on the weekly basis. What kind of criteria do you use to pick your clients?
Well obviously I wouldn’t do stuff for… *me – McDonalds?* yep, I only work with people who’s stuff that I can support.
Favourite typeface?
Um, that’s a tricky one. It changes from time to time, for this Workshop I’ve used a font called Plak which was originally designed in the 30s. It’s weird as it feels quite contemporary.
Word.
Vector or Rasterized?
I think Vector as it’s more flexible.
Photoshop or Illustrator?
Illustrator.
Anthony watching and learning, obviously.
Any advice for up and coming designers?
Make work that you believe in.
No one man should have all that POWER.
Follow @thisisthebang
// < 
Listen. Watch. Print.
Drying the paint.
Seeing as I rarely go to events anymore, this was my first time coming across one of these; armed with a SLR fitted inside, touch-screen interface and social channel connectivity. Say Fromage is dope! if you want to see my photograph then gwarn – click here. I look creepy and very saturated.
Twitter hashtag tracker. I love this.
Love.
The limited edition graphic printed tees feature the slogans THE CITY IS OURS TONIGHT and DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE? And will go on sale at Levi’s® Regents Street store, Westfield Stratford, Boxpark and Carnaby Street from 13th July 2012 . A bespoke graphic t-shirt with the statement THIS IS NOT THE WEST has also been created to capture the distinct culture that surrounds East London, and which will be available exclusively at Levi’s® Boxpark pop-up store in Shoreditch.
Read & get involved.
Some of Anthony’s iconic prints are also displayed on store. My personal favourite is the ‘work hard & be nice to people‘ in silver foil and black.
Make you sure head down to the gigantic Regent Street store and screen print your own tee. You’ll enjoy it, I guarantee it.
174-176 Regent Street, London W1
For Opening Time – click here