“you tell us. which one has the astigmatism?”
(clockwise) The Flaming Lips: 3 color screen-print, Modest Mouse: 2 color screen-print, Explosions in the Sky (2): 4 color screen-print, Explosions in the Sky: 3 color screen-print
…so I didn’t know what an “astigmatism” was until the acuvue twin commercial. It inspired me to question, “well do *I* have an astigmatism?”…leading to an inevitable google search. Good advertising? I suppose so. Anyways, HAPPY SMALL STAKES DAY!!!!! The Small Stakes (aka Jason Munn)’s elegant work has earned him mad cred in the art and music worlds. As a result of this attention, Jason’s work is easily recognizable and has popped up everywhere. Unlike those pesky Chuck E. Cheese bucktoothed animals, Jason’s cotton-crisp graphics and well-balanced compositions are too beautiful to bop. There are various themes throughout his work, including eyes (above!)…
(clockwise) Broken Social Scene: 2 color screen-print, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists: 2 color screen-print, Wilco: 3 color screen-print, The National: 2 color screen-print
…birds (the broken social scene bird: NATURAL SELECTION is a bitch. oh but those poor Wilco birds: :(…they look like peeps that have been smeared on the bottom of a shoe)…
(clockwise) Matt Pond PA: 2 color screen-print (a 2 poster set), Feist: 2 color screen-print, Animal Collective 2 color screen-print
…frilly feathery swirls…
(clockwise) Built to Spill: 2 color screen-print (part of a 2 poster set), Why?: 2 color screen-print (also comes in silver!), Battles: 2 color screen-print, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: 2 color screen-print (part of a 2 sided poster)
…CLEVER TYPOGRAPHY…
(clockwise) Damien Jurado: 2 color screen-print, The Magnetic Fields: 2 color screen-print, Nada Surf: 2 color screen-print, The National: 2 color screen-print.
…and Escherian tessellations/op-art fun! In 9th grade geometry class, the teacher made us write papers that connected a personal hobby to geometry. I was really into op-art at the time (I went to geometry nerd camp and we drew op-art all day)…HOW CONVENIENT. So maybe I was a cheater. At least I was honest. And smart. There was a kid that chose tractors. No comment.
In this fifth installment of S&D’s poster party extravaganza, I am honored to present to you the illustrious Jason Munn. Jason has had the opportunity to work for a diverse set of clients including Against Me! (2005’s album design? That was Jason.), Chronicle Books, Death Cab for Cutie, Feist, Little Otsu (a S&D favorite! remember our post on notebooks and planners?), New York Magazine, Patagonia (nature!), and Random House. Furthermore, his work is on permanent display at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. HEAR FROM Jason and LISTEN TO ME RATTLE ON LIKE A PROUD BABY MAMA after the jump. Click Clack.
1. Describe your background. What did you want to do when you were five? What led you to printing? Where are you currently located? How long have you been designing posters?
I can’t say I knew what I wanted to do when I was 5, I was drawing a lot of totem poles at that time though, not really sure why. I grew up in Wisconsin and now live in Oakland, CA. I started designing posters about 5 years ago when some friends of mine started booking shows for a venue called The Ramp in Berkeley. They asked me to do a poster for each show and I’ve continued to make posters since then.
2. I would describe my style as…
Simple.
3. I am inspired by…
Problem solving.
4. Can you describe the creative process that goes into making a print?
A lot of thinking, sketching and trying out different ideas before something sticks. Then it’s a matter of getting that something to look right. All the designs are then screen printed by hand.
5. My favorite print is…
The Books.
6. What’s on your walls at home?
At the moment - nothing. We need to work on that.
7. I am currently listening to…
Deerhunter.
8. I support…
Clarity.
9. I am against…
Clutter.
10. My best recent purchase was…
Some Japanese design books that I bought in New York. I can’t read them, but the design work is great.
11. I am currently obsessed with…
Having lots of books.
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT JASON MUNN:
1. He is a finalist at the Chicago International Poster Biennial. His work will be displayed 9/26-10/29 in Daley Bicentennial Plaza (near the beautiful Gehry bridge).
2. Insound, my favorite music retailer, commissioned Jason to create limited edition prints for 20 bands (Insound 20!). Jason-Munn-designed shirts, sweatshirts, and posters! Wee! Best of all, proceeds go towards 826NYC (Brooklyn Superhero store? That’s them.) (PS 826CHI is super cool too!), a branch of one of my favorite charities (as you can probably tell from all the links and parentheses. I support kids and creative writing! You should too!
3. If you are interested in more Jason Munn news (or if you would like to purchase his prints), his website is very welcoming!
Last print before we must part:
…come on now. I had to. Plus my office building is part of the skyline across Abraham’s chest! Baller!
Click here to see other poster party posts!
3 Responses for "poster party day 5: The Small Stakes"
the astigmatism line is hysterical! also, i lovvveee the sufjan stevens poster (I also love sufjan stevens).
[...] Bubble Process: Nicholas Rezabek and Sean Higgins 3. Leia Bell 4. Powerslide Design: Mike Klay 5. The Small Stakes: Jason Munn 6. Ghost Town: Pete Cardoso 7. Largemammal: Kevin Mercer (coming soon!) 8. Mike Laughead (coming [...]
[...] is just getting warmed up!) Halfway through the ppaarrttyy, we introduced you to the wonderful Jason Munn (The Small Stakes). If you paid close attention, you already know that Jason created 20 limited [...]
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