![[Valid RSS]](valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")
« Be Curious: b royalty 40th birthday party | Main | Bandana Art Show »
Spraygraphic Interview with Frank Olinsky
By Spraygraphic | January 21, 2008
Spraygraphic Interview with Frank Olinsky
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
FO: I am a graphic designer, art director and illustrator. I was born in New York City and grew up in Huntington, New York. As a kid I secretly wanted to be a rock musician, but I had no musical ability whatsoever. At the time, I figured the next best thing would be to design album covers - to my surprise, that’s what I ended up doing. Between 1979 and 1991 I was a principal at Manhattan Design, the design studio responsible for the chameleon-like logo and original “look” of MTV; Music Television. Subsequently I have pursued a freelance career designing packaging, logos, and such primarily for the music and entertainment industry. I also teach illustration at Parsons School of Design.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
FO: Brooklyn, USA.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
FO: Pretty much anything from cardboard to Photoshop.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
FO: I will usually receive a brief from a client. I’ll pay very careful attention to what they have to say and then do some sketches or comps based on their directions. I will also often prepare some things that have nothing to do with what they have said.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
FO: Take a walk.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
FO: Nothing specific comes to mind.
SG: How did you get into being an artist/designer for record companies (CD Cover work) and companies like MTV?
FO: A few early album covers somehow came my way, and after designing the MTV logo, musicians, managers and record companies began contacting my former design studio, Manhattan Design.
SG: What kind of deadlines do you work with when producing this kind of work?
FO: That ranges from a few weeks to months. I’ve even had a CD package drag on for several years.
SG: Do the companies come back to you and say “change this” or “change that?”
FO: Always!
SG: How much are you willing to change? Is there some kind of negotiation process you go through?
FO: I try to be flexible and receptive. I know that I am not always the best judge of what is the best solution to a design problem. Negotiation? Let’s just say on more than one occasion told the client to take the job back and find someone else to do it.
SG: Can you please tell us a little about your working relationship with Tricycle Magazine. Have you done all of their covers?
FO: Around 1990, Helen Tworkov, Tricycle’s founding Editor-In-Chief, asked me to be the art director. I had absolutely no experience art directing a magazine, and only a little understanding of Buddhism. I did everything I could to turn down the job offer but as Allen Ginsberg said, “I fought the Dharma, and the Dharma won.” I only art directed the magazine for a short while. I designed most of the covers from 1991 until Fall 2006. I am now a creative consultant and Contributing Editor.
SG: Can you please tell us about your second book, Buddha Book: A Meeting of Images.
FO: “Buddha Book” was an extension of the aesthetic vision I brought to Tricycle. It was my attempt to bring together traditional and contemporary images of the Buddha. It was also in some ways the follow-up to my earlier book “What The Songs Look Like: Contemporary Artists Interpret Talking Heads Songs.” Both books were edited visually.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
FO: My earliest commercial work after I graduated from Pratt Institute was editorial illustration for publications like Esquire, New York Magazine, and The New York Times. The MTV logo has been seen pretty much everywhere on the planet. I’ve done album/CD packaging for just about every genre of music so you’ve probably seen or own something I designed.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
FO: Good question?
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
FO: I don’t often remember my dreams so unfortunately I can’t say.
SG: What is your favorite color?
FO: Blue
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
FO: I really don’t have one favorite. A few of the many that have inspired and continue to inspire me are Claes Oldenberg, Marcel Duchamp, Paul Rand, Enku, Victor Moscoso, Andy Warhol and Matisse.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
FO: The book I’m currently reading is “The Dawn of Indian Music in the West” by Peter Lavezzoli. I’m also reading Arthur Magazine.
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
FO: Yes. A few in art school. One I recall was done in the style of Klaus Voormann’s cover portraits of the Beatles for their Revolver album cover.
It is in one of my flat files. I am not planning to show it to anyone!
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
FO: The bed-office.
SG: Any final words of advice?
FO: Try not to be swept up by trends. Everything changes.
ART:
CD cover for Alarm Will Sound “Acoustica”
Art Direction/Image by Frank Olinsky
CD/LP cover for the Smashing Pumpkins “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”
Concept: Billy Corgan
Art Direction: Frank Olinsky
Illustration: John Craig
De-Constructivist version of the MTV logo by Frank Olinsky
CD/LP cover for Secret Machines “Now Here Is Nowhere”
Art Direction: Frank Olinsky
Photography: Nitin Vadukul
Illustration for So Percussion by Frank Olinsky
DVD cover for Sonic Youth “Corporate Ghost”
Art Direction: Frank Olinsky
Tricycle Magazine’s 10th Anniversary cover
Art Direction: Frank Olinsky
Book cover for “Buddha Book: A Meeting of Images”
Cover Design by Frank Olinsky
Cover Images by Terry Allen and Alex Grey
Boxes containing sample copies of CD and DVD packages by Frank Olinsky.
Topics: Artist Interviews, Graphic Design, Literature |
January 21st, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Frank is one of the great artists of his generation. It’s hard to tell whether he’s plugged deeply into music and culture, or whether music and culture are reacting to his work.
Frank and I been friends for over 50 years(!) and have collaborated on everything from television logos to album covers to website design. Every project has been an inspiration.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Couldn’t agree with you more…I was impressed with his art, but i think I was impressed with his thoughtfulness and professionalism even more. He is really an amazing artist and person…thanks Frank.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:56 am
As a photographer I have worked with Frank on many CD covers over the years-
He is a brilliant AD, great to collaborate with on projects, shows respect for the artists and loves music His graphic design work has always enhanced my photography.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Frank and I have been friends a long time - a bit less than Fred, but a long time. He is simply the finest idea guy anywhere and I can’t think of higher praise than that. Anyone can shovel shapes around and call themselves a graphic designer but Frank is conceptually head and shoulders above anyone I know. He inhabits his ideas and they him. It’s no wonder that his clients and friends (is there a difference?) love working with him. He gives off sparks.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
[...] the rest of the interview here and also make sure to check out the comments below the interview for some lovely appreciations of [...]
February 25th, 2008 at 1:00 am
[...] out this inspirational interview with design great and friend Frank Olinksky at [...]
February 27th, 2008 at 6:07 am
As a former student of Frank’s, I appreciated this interview and sound advice from a gifted designer! Thanks.
October 4th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I was impressed with his art, but i think I was impressed with his thoughtfulness and professionalism even more. He is really an amazing artist and person�thanks Frank.