Chip KIDD
Chip Kidd is a New York based graphic artist. He is the creator of numerous book covers, logos and is author of several publications, the most recent being GO:A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design. He is also a musician and singer and belongs to a group ‘Artbreak’. Sometimes called ‘the closest thing to a rock star in the design world’, he is the originator of the Jurassic Park logo. A man who claims to prefer showing over telling, here he talks to L'Artiste
Where did you grow up?
CK: Reading, Pennsylvania.Which Art School did you attend?CK: Pennsylvania State University, majoring in Graphic Design 1982-1986
What made you choose Graphic Design?
CK: It seemed like an interesting path to a creative career, where I could earn a decent living while doing something I loved.
Was there a book on Graphic Design that inspired you particularly?
CK: Yes, many, but it was Phillip Meggs' 'History of Graphic Design' that first made me seriously think about what graphic design is.
You are well known in the States or in Britain, less in France (or Francophone countries). How would you introduce yourself?
CK: ! Seriously, my work rarely gets translated into foreign languages. But as a matter of fact my first novel, 'The Cheese Monkeys' is available in two French editions. So I guess I would say that's the best introduction for your audience. Which artist or designer inspired/s you most?CK: Deceased: El Lissitzky and Alexander Rodchenko; Living: Peter Saville and Lanny Sommese
Is there a book cover you find particularly inspiring?
CK: Gee, um, I guess no.
You once said in an interview, ‘a book designer gives form to content’, and: you are an ‘interpreter’ as well as designer of the text. Does the content of the story impact on the ‘interplay between Word and Image’?CK: The content of the story impacts on everything involved with the cover. It is the designer’s interpretation of that which determines what it will look like and how it will communicate.
The history of graphic art played and perhaps still plays an important role in your profession. Can you explain how?
CK: Wow, not really. If you mean the history of Graphic Design, that indeed plays an important role to any graphic designer who wants to do original, effective work. Learning what has been done, by whom, and why, is essential to going forward in the profession.
Are there any specific tips you would give to graphic design students on the artistic level?
CK: See above answer. I cannot stress enough to students the importance of learning the history of Graphic Design.To me, the Batman series and the Plastic Fang series are amongst the wittiest, original and creative of your works. Everything breathes between typography and colors and it is very contemporary. In contrast, the book covers you design are more conceptual, purposefully aesthetic and polished.
What do you think about publisher’s requests?
CK: First, thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it. Regarding the requests of publishers, I have to respect them, because they are taking the risk of publishing the book. I am very mindful of the fact that I am not a ‘fine artist’. I am in the unique position of creating a piece of visual art that is in service to another artist who takes precedent over me: the author.
These two facets of your work which I have just made allusion to are reflected in your song: “Asymmetrical girl”. How do you work out the Artbreak music in relation to illustrations and book design?
CK: The song “Asymmetrical Girl,” is about a girl who happily accepts her body image even though it’s not ‘perfect’. I think this is an important message to try and convey to all young people. As for , I think of it as designing with sound and words, as opposed to images and words in my book jacket work.
Do you consider yourself as a ‘well read’ man?
What do you enjoy reading?
CK: Actually, I will confess: I do not consider myself a well-read person at all. I am very lacking in my knowledge of the classics. Or, to be more specific, I know about them, but I have not read most of them. I am not proud of this, but I won’t lie about it either. In terms of contemporary literature, I do feel pretty well versed in that.
Do you have a favorite colour?
A favorite font?
CK: No, not really. Sorry.
If there is something you would like to add, share or communicate with L’Artiste reader, please feel free to do so.
CK: I would just like to add that my new book “GO: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design” is being publishing this October (2013). It is an attempt to teach the basic components of graphic design to children. As far as I know, this hasn’t been done before. Wish me luck!
First Published L'Artiste Magazine Nov 2013