Artist Series: Michael Alfred
Our art department asked some of their favorite designers to show us their take on Urban Outfitters by creating a limited edition shirt. Meet the artists behind the collaboration!Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm Michael Alfred, 25 years old. I grew up in the Franconian suburbs. In the moment I live in Leipzig, Germany, or drive with my old red car on the Autobahn 9. Apart from that I'm a dog owner. She's named after a '80s Berlin pop singer from a DEFA-movie called "Solo Sunny."
Describe to us the inspiration behind the design you used for your shirt.
Hokusai's great wave off Kanagawa, and Peter Saville's Joy Division Unknown Pleasures cover go for coffee on Photoshop.
What other projects have you been working on lately?
I just came back from Berlin where I was planning a small exhibition with friends. It's going to be my debut with a more preformative approach. That’s exciting for me. Besides that, I work on my theory-thesis about replica, inspiration and original in the field of contemporary graphics and I started to run a small studio with friends of mine, called Unfun.
What inspires you the most when you're working?
'80s classic Chicago post-punk acid Detroit doom brass house music all night long, and a delightful cup of coffee.
What do you find most challenging about design?
Some might say it's about solving problems, finding a solution. When I was working for a studio in Berlin, the guy that was running the studio said once: mega solutions for micro problems. Thinking about that is pretty much challenging, isn't it?
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
I studied graphic design in Wuerzburg, Zurich and Berlin. Right now I'm graduating at the Leipzig Art School.
What was the most important lesson you learned while you were there?
Learn to stumble and to stumble across.
What is a typical night out with you and your friends like?
Do you remember Jumanji? This will not be an easy mission—monkeys slow the expedition.
Describe your style in one sentence.
A vague somehow-or-other can't stick together all-alikeness changed to an easily described hang-togetherness that is unlike that anything that is different.
What are your five favorite words?
Post, Bambule, Autobahn, Arial, Untitled.
