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California-based awesome t-shirt designer Jason Cryer answers The Yetee’s questions
Jason Cryer is a San Anselmo, California-based designer that has been collaborating with The Yetee to make awesome t-shirts and pins for years. Cryer’s works can be dark and gritty, while also being adorable and fun, which makes for interesting and compelling designs. Besides working with The Yetee, Cryer’s claim to fame is an official Twin Peaks t-shirt design, personally approved by David Lynch. We got in touch with the graphic designer to learn a little more.
What inspired you to become an artist?
I consider myself more of a graphic designer than an artist — art is about self-expression, but that’s not always the goal in design. I’m not a skilled illustrator but I love working with typefaces, photos, lines, colors, etc. You can express a lot with no imagery at all. Record covers, and particularly the work of Rob Jones, drew me to graphic design. I split my time between more business-oriented design work and creative work.
How long have you been making t-shirt designs? How did you get connected with The Yetee?
About 7 years. The Yetee was fairly new when I started submitting designs, but it’s all a bit fuzzy. Over the years, I’ve developed a great friendship with the folks who run the show. Can’t ask for a better group of people to work with.
Can you tell me the inspiration behind your Yetee designs?
Any design I make for The Yetee is something that has a personal attachment for me. I try not to follow trends, and most of my designs are colored by some sort of nostalgia — I don’t get the same inspiration from modern pop culture. I enjoy reducing things into a simple iconic graphic. I generally prefer designs that are only a few colors and not too complicated.
What/who inspires you?
Massimo Vignelli, Aaron Draplin, The Designers Republic and dozens more I can’t remember right now. Saul Bass. Pentagram. David Lynch. Steve Jobs. Kraftwerk. Braun. Polytron. Keita Takahashi.
What medium do you like to work in?
The majority of my designs are created entirely in Illustrator, sometimes a combination of Illustrator and Photoshop. I enjoy drawing and working in a variety of mediums, but my skills are best expressed through Illustrator and Photoshop.
What is your dream job?
I would love to design movie posters or work somewhere like the Criterion Collection or Apple.
What work have you done that you are most proud of?
Designing an official Twin Peaks t-shirt that was personally approved by David Lynch was a huge honor for me.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to visit Japan when I can find the opportunity, so much of my work is inspired by Japanese culture. Italy and Germany are two other big destinations, too.
Check out Jason Cryer’s Yetee page: https://theyetee.com/collections/jasoncryer
Twitter: @JASON_CRYER