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Meet Print’s latest Designer of the Week, Malcolm Eric Buick, brand director of NYC–based cross-disciplinary creative agency Athletics, a place where killer design—including the new MLS logo—is brought to life.
Name: Malcolm Eric Buick
Design School: Duncan of Jordanstone School of Art and Design, in Scotland, U.K. But earned my craft in London in the thriving mid ’90s music scene.
Firm: Athletics
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
How would you describe your work?Our work is focused on developing products and experiences using the web, broadcast, print and the environment in smart, interrelated ways. We take pride in our studio’s ability to move between media and operate at a high level across a range of disciplines. In short, we like making.
Where do you find inspiration?Inspiration can come from anywhere—a chance encounter on my cycle to the studio, reading a piece of news online (even better in the paper—I’m old school) a historical documentary, my daughters (aged 3 and 5) every day. I’m inspired by a lot of things, but my real inspiration generally comes from places I least expect it.
In the Breakthrough Logo Design & Branding Success course, Dr. Bill Haig breaks down his “credibility-based logo design”© process—a model he championed from the teachings of his legendary mentor, Saul Bass.
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Who are some of your favorite designers or artists? Oooof tough one, but I have to say, it would be Mr Allan Gerard Fletcher; alas, he is no longer with us, but [he was] a creative powerhouse, and in his time extremely prolific, always creating. If I can be like him throughout my career, I’ll be laughing. Here’s a great wee quote from him:
“Design is not a thing you do. It’s a way of life.”
So true. On art, I’m partial to sculpture. I love the precision and minimalism of Donald Judd, and the physicality of Andy Goldsworthy’s work.
Is there a project that stands out to you as having been the biggest challenge of your career so far?Oh, tough one. I’m not there yet. I guess my daughters—that’s a project, right? And it’s never-ending.
What do you hope to accomplish in the future?Make change, be happy (always), help build an environment my daughters can develop within safely, be challenged, excited about life, and hopefully [help them] grow to be awesome human beings—we need more of that.
What’s your best advice for designers today?Stay curious.
Athletics is certainly representing the NYC region with their killer design. Want to represent your region in the 2015 RDA?
The Regional Design Annual is the industry’s most prestigious and well-respected American design competition. As the only comprehensive survey of U.S. design by region, tens of thousands of art directors, studios and creative professionals look to the RDA every year to find the country’s top talent.
In 2015, Print is celebrating 75 years. Enter your work today for a chance to be spotlighted in the pages of our milestone RDA issue.