Graffiti Kings

This week sees us finally get the first of many Themes up in the Store from the legends that are Graffiti Kings. Main man Ser gives us the low-down on a life of art and gaming...

Describe your theme in 5 words... 

Authentic Graffiti From The Streets. 

From where do you draw your inspiration?  

The skool of hard knocks – the streets.

Why did you choose to showcase your work in partnership with a global brand like PlayStation? 

Are you kidding lol, PlayStation ROCKS!

What’s it like seeing your work fully digitised on The Studio? 

Ask me this question later please as right now the game is about to start, time to level up.

How did you adapt your work – in terms of both the feel of The Studio space and the physical parameters of PlayStation’s XrossMediaBar (XMB)? 

To be honest it wasn’t hard, our artwork fits in to most places, art is everywhere & blends in like nature, XMB was is a perfect place for art.

The worlds of gaming and art have grown closer and closer over the years – how do you think they fit together and how do you see the relationship progressing? 

Gaming would not be gaming with art, gaming is art.

If you could have created any video game throughout history, what would it be? 

Space Invaders.

If you could turn a PlayStation into a piece of art/design, what would you do with it?  

A 70 inch HD 3D TV with a built in PS now that’s a toy.

What’s your favourite video game?

Right now it's Little Big Planet.

Lucy Gibson

Last week, we bought you the exclusive Daydream Dynamic Theme from Studio Output's very own designer extraordinaire Lucy 'Gibbo' Gibson. This week she shares with us a bit about what makes her tick...

Describe your theme in 5 words...

A visual playground, on glue.

From where do you draw your inspiration? 

1960's - 70's magazines. Old books.

Why did you choose to showcase your work in partnership with a global brand like PlayStation?

A great opportunity, I think anyone would be silly not take advantage of this! I normally work in flat collage so it's a nice advance to see it come to life.

What’s it like seeing your work fully digitised on The Studio?

Lovely!

How did you adapt your work – in terms of both the feel of The Studio space and the physical parameters of PlayStation’s XrossMediaBar (XMB)?

It was interesting to design a piece which would work continuously with elements moving, instead of designing a static piece. Balance and refinement was needed, especially as I have a tendency to overload a static design!

The worlds of gaming and art have grown closer and closer over the years – how do you think they fit together and how do you see the relationship progressing?

As the relationship is growing raptly it is allowing the once thought far off level of detail in the designs  possible. 

If you could have created any video game throughout history, what would it be?

Lemmings!

If you could turn a PlayStation into a piece of art/design, what would you do with it?

A rucksack.

What’s your favourite video game?

Sonic the Hedgehog on the Megadrive! Classic.

Timothy Saccenti

Timothy Saccenti is one of the most exciting and innovate photographers working today. We've been itching to work with him for ages, so when he agreed to come on board with The Studio we were very pleased to say the least. Timothy also did this rad campaign for PlayStation in Japan which you may have seen last year.

Describe your theme in five words...

Inner space glyph glitch inducer.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?  

Atmosphere, science, supernature, humanity, humour.

Why did you choose to showcase your work in partnership with a global brand like PlayStation?

I liked the idea of this piece living in the digital community they have created, this other reality.  

What’s it like seeing your work fully digitised on The Studio?

Relevant.

How did you adapt your work – in terms of both the feel of The Studio space and the physical parameters of PlayStation’s XrossMediaBar (XMB)?

Trying to divine the piece into something that works called for a slight retro-fit of my initial ideas, but constraints are what make creating something in this new world very interesting. It's a new medium and has new tools and they are meant to be explored and exploited.

How is technology changing the way you work?

Working in photography and film as I mainly do, technology is a large part of the process. The idea and point of view are always the most important element of any project. I think if anything the technology sometimes makes things appear too easy to create, so at times, no decisions are made as the possibilities are endless. In this way technology is problematic, so dealing with regaining ideas in seems to be the most difficult aspect. But it has allowed me to feel close to collaborators across the world in many ways via communications tools and in that way has expanded, and shrunk, the world.

If you could have created any video game throughout history, what would it be?

Ms. Pacman. Best female protagonist ever.

If you could turn a PlayStation into a piece of art/design, what would you do with it?

Gold-plate it and wear it around my neck.

What’s your favourite video game?

REZ was a beautiful immersive favourite.

Craig & Karl

We caught up with Craig Redman recently to chat about his experiences of working on The Studio. Craig is one half of Craig & Karl, and was one of the founding partners of the Australian illustration collective Rinzen. Have a look at Craig's two Themes here and here.
Describe your theme in 5 words...

Microscopic everyday components constantly re-evolving.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?  
Overall it’s pretty easy to get inspired just walking around New York, there’s something nuts happening on every second corner. It could be a dude shouting at a hot dog vendor, a crappy flyer in Chinatown, or a highly produced exhibition in Chelsea that triggers an idea.

Why did you choose to showcase your work in partnership with a global brand like PlayStation?
I grew up playing PlayStation, how could I say no?

What’s it like seeing your work fully digitised on The Studio?
While I do paint and create three dimensional work most of my output is computer based, so it felt very natural to keep it digitized for this project. It was a compatible fit.

How did you adapt your work – in terms of both the feel of The Studio space and the physical parameters of PlayStation’s XrossMediaBar (XMB)?
My pieces were created specifically for PlayStation, so I made sure everything felt comfortable and fit appropriately in the given space and within the parameters of the project.

The worlds of gaming and art have grown closer and closer over the years – how do you think they fit together and how do you see the relationship progressing?
I think as technology progresses it gives game developers more opportunity to give new level of detail and interaction into games, something that is important in the art world too. The two disciplines are growing closer and closer each year.

If you could have created any video game throughout history, what would it be?
Leisure Suit Larry

If you could turn a PlayStation into a piece of art/design, what would you do with it?
It needs eyes for sure, with pink legs and green arms. Maybe a red and white striped tail too.

What’s your favourite video game?
Wipeout.

Esther Kim

Just in time for the heart-fest that is Valentine's Day we launched "Lost in Harajuku Static Theme" by Esther Kim. Esther takes time out from her world of pens and pencils to tell us about all things technology!

Describe your theme in five words...

pinky, minty, milky, girly, pop

Where do you draw your inspiration from?  

I'm inspired by inspired people! It makes me want to create. I'm always looking at magazines: Japanese, French, US, Korea! I love all kinds of street fashion but I do have a weakness for Tokyo style.

Why did you choose to showcase your work in partnership with a global brand like PlayStation?

It was such an honour to be approached by them. There was no question that I wanted to work with them!

What’s it like seeing your work fully digitised on The Studio?

It's a lovely feeling! I keep trying to imagine the people who are going to download and use it. I would love to see pictures of peoples' computer screens with all the different artists themes and see how it fits with the person and space they're in (The Studio: Esther, we'll work on that!)

How did you adapt your work – in terms of both the feel of The Studio space and the physical parameters of PlayStation’s XrossMediaBar (XMB)?

It was relatively straightforward - I worked in my usual analogue format. I hand-drew and painted all the little icons and then I just scanned them in and played around with them a bit, cleaning them up and what not. For the background artwork I did all the drawing and painting by hand and then just played with the layout on my computer. 

How is technology changing the way you work?

I can be such a miserly luddite at times but having good tools makes my life much easier! It's amazing to me how easy it is for artists to work with clients all over the world thanks to the internet and the ability to digitize our work.

In an everyday way it saves me a lot of time! I used to draw and redraw things till I got them right and now with my computer I know how to adjust things or I'm able to fix little mistakes on the computer instead of redrawing it. 

If you could have created any video game throughout history, what would it be?

Hmmm, this is a tough one... it would be great to have some kind of drawing game. Something that teaches you how to draw and paint. 

If you could turn a PlayStation into a piece of art/design, what would you do with it?

I would make it into a rabbit!

What’s your favourite video game?

I'm not very good at games but I hear it is very good for relieving stress so I try to play brain games and word games. Games that I remember from when I was a kid are Tetris and Bubble Bobble. Also my neighbours seem to always be playing Winning Eleven.

Michael Gillette

The talented Mr Michael Gillette, him of Amphenge fame joins us today to talk inspiration, 3d worlds and BBC computers!

Describe your theme in 5 words...

Goes up to Eleven

From where do you draw your inspiration?  

The Spirit of Rock(s).

Why did you choose to showcase your work in partnership with a global brand like PlayStation?

It was a great opportunity to create a world I've long since dreamt of.

What’s it like seeing your work fully digitised on The Studio?

Magical. 

How did you adapt your work – in terms of both the feel of The Studio space and the physical parameters of PlayStation’s XrossMediaBar (XMB)?

It was wonderful to take a flat image and have it realised in such a beautiful 3D world. It took a lot of work on both mine and The Studio's part but was time very well spent.

The worlds of gaming and art have grown closer and closer over the years – how do you think they fit together and how do you see the relationship progressing?

As a forum for visuals it's now absolutely on par with any other outlet. So the opportunities for creating wonderful new worlds are endless. 

If you could have created any video game throughout history, what would it be?

Pong. 

If you could turn a PlayStation into a piece of art/design, what would you do with it?

I think a Coffin would have a lot of takers. 

What’s your favourite video game?

I grew up loading games on to a BBC B computer from cassette tapes (ask your Grandad) and I've always loved Defender. Shoot everything is about my sophistication level.