5 questions with ninja cruise

aka matthew curry

Matthew Curry is a designer, illustrator, and painter based in the Washington, D.C. area. Imagefed, his studio portfolio, contains work in graphic, motion, character, and toy design, plus editorial illustration and event-related commissions. In addition to his commercial work, Curry has been invited to contribute to numerous art- and design-centric publications, galleries, and spaces all over the world.

01. Describe the concept(s) behind your interpretation of Select Flavor.

MC: Basically, it's all about individuality, and breaking free from the norm. Thinking about nightclubs and how so many people follow the crowd in terms of fashions and music, I became inspired to represent Select as this luminous beacon shining through the mundane, carbon-copy backdrop of the prototypical nightlife scene. Rather than using literal figures within a club setting, I chose a highly stylized goldfish, breaking free from the rest of the fish, as my metaphor.

02. Give a brief sketch of the creative process you used to realize your Select artwork.

MC: Once I had my concept down I began sketching thumbnails of compositions. After I had a good composition I started designing the fish and creating patterns, textures, and backgrounds. From there it was on to designing the Select fish, for which I employed the Select crown as part of the fin structure — bringing the brand into the actual anatomy of our hero. Once I had all my components I just started putting it all together, and the narrative evolved as I went along.

03. If you could set up a studio anywhere, what location would you choose, and why?

MC: I would just want it close to my family. I just love the idea of, in the future, having my wife and kids roll up and see what I'm up to. I'd also like it be connected to a concrete skate park, with snake runs and mini-bowls, so I can go out and potentially injure myself when I don't feel like working.

04. Who or what inspires you to make art?

MC: Collaborating with others seems to always push the creative buttons. If I'm actively seeking out inspiration, I almost always fail to find it.

05. What other projects are you working on — or dreaming about working on — right now?

MC: Right before I started working on the Select project, I finished up the packaging and assorted collateral for the upcoming Thievery Corporation album, Versions, with Neal Ashby. The packaging includes a 32-page booklet that we collaborated on. We're also doing some limited poster prints of the artwork, and this summer we'll be doing more work for the ESL Music Label.