Neasden Control Centre’s Handmade Graphic Art

28 Nov 2007 Category: Graphics, Worldwide

Neasden Control Centre’s Handmade Graphic Art

A summit of clones of Steve Smith from London-based Neasden Control Centre... From "Lost Control" published by Die Gestalten Verlag. © 2007 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

When Neasden Control Centre’s self-titled book was published in 2003 by Die Gestalten Verlag, their child-like but very edgy art work created quite a stir – and the book sold out immediately! Four years later, this London-based graphic studio has come out with a second and equally stunning collection: “Lost Control.” Today PingMag grabs NCC founder Steve Smith for a chat.

Written by Chiemi

Steve, why did you name yourself Neasden Control Centre? Where is “Neasden”…?

Neasden is a place in the North of London and we used to live opposite the “Neasden Control Centre” which operates the London Underground trains. They were always making us late because the trains in London are very bad, always late, and always broken. So we acquired their name.

Typewriter art. From “Lost Control.” © 2007 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

Astronaut graphics. From “Lost Control.” © 2007 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

In your profile, it says that NCC is a graphic studio - but your works seem more like art. Why do you call yourselves a “graphic studio” then?

Profiles! That’s why it is difficult to sum up exactly what NCC does as it crosses disciplines freely - it is not tied down to any one media to not be pigeon holed. This leads to confusion sometimes, but it allows us total artistic freedom based on intuition which we feel is important to keep the work as rich, varied and experimental as possible.

Playful childish characters. From “Lost Control.” © 2007 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

What do you do exactly?

The NCC Studio works with many different companies, artist groups, friends and so on and collaborates with a small network of like-minded freelancers from project to project. These range from installations and exhibitions, publishing works in different formats, products, clothing design, small print run experimental projects, motion graphics for TV and film, a sound laboratory, construction workshops, etc, etc.


“Action, Good Brings Fortune:” Commissioned by Early Griffin Press.

What have you worked on recently?

Our good friends over at Early Griffin Press, who also run the Analogue Bookshop in Edinburgh, invited us to take part in their just established print project. We were told to make anything freely, so we came up with “Action, Good Brings Fortune” in three colours. It will be released soon.

All of your works pretty much look handmade. Do you use computers at all?

Many people have asked this question over the years. I guess it is to be taken as a compliment. It is strange to think that even ten years ago the computer was not as widely used and creating graphics, typography and illustrations for print by hand was something that came naturally: Drawing all the time for the whole day. The use of computer generated imagery, stock photographic images and other things really changed the whole market for better or worse, which is irrelevant now. Without the computer we would not be writing this. It is undoubtedly the most used piece of equipment in the studio - but 99.9 percent is usually still created by hand, of course. There is a special relationship with materials that can only happen by chance and play. Play is important to keep things fresh and fun to do, otherwise it would become like a day job.

Handmade! From “Lost Control.” © 2007 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

Photo plays. From “Lost Control.” © 2007 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

Your first book from Die Gestalten Verlag in 2003 sold out immediately! If you look at it today, has your work changed much since?


”Lost Control” book cover. © 2007 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

A lot has changed and the second book looks different for sure. It is also a reflection of the work output over the past few years. The work in Lost Control details experimental personal projects alongside client work and commercial projects, work for exhibitions and installations such as the “Spank The Monkey Show“ at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the heliumcowboy artspace in Hamburg through to motion graphic video screen shots, simple sketches, found photos and so on. It’s good to publish all this and then move on to our next projects that will be released in 2008.

What would be your favourite in Lost Control?

It’s hard to pick a favourite! ….the one influenced from the greyhounds at the Dog Track.

Steve’s favourite work in “Lost Control.” © 2007 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

Do you have a motto?

An output that is mainly concerned with speaking the truth through what we see whilst keeping integrity; experimenting with new materials and becoming a master printer!

Since you are going to be in Tokyo this weekend for a talk show, High5, what are your plans in Japan?

It’s our first time in Japan! And we would like to do as many things as possible in this short time… If you have any insider tips, e-mail us!

From “Lost Control.” © 2007 Die Gestalten Verlag, Berlin

Thank you, Steve! Was great talking to you. And don’t forget to read our TOP 6 of Tokyo’s Coolest Souvenirs during your stay. Enjoy Japan!


Now that would be Steve Smith of Neasden Control Centre!

INFORMATION
Design conference HIGH5:
Date: Saturday, December 1st
Venue: Roppongi Axis Gallery, Tokyo.
With Guest Speakers:
WOW, Namiko Kitaura, Neasden Control Centre, Projector and Non-Format.

52 Comments

  1. Hey Steve, lovely to see you on PingMag! (it’s my daily fix)
    We got our Lost Control a couple of weeks ago and it’s looking superb. Well done!! (How many special colours are in there???)

    Have a great time in Japan!

    Posted by: Sari on November 28th, 2007 at 10:28 pm

  2. [...] Neasden Control Centre’s Handmade Graphic Art When Neasden Control Centre’s self-titled book was published in 2003 by DGV, their child-like but very edgy art work created quite a stir – and the book sold out immediately! Four years later, this London-based graphic studio has come out with a second and equally stunning collection: “Lost Control.” Today PingMag grabs NCC founder Steve Smith for a chat. [...]

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