Graham Nystrom is a super talented guy, there’s not many brands out there that have such a talented designer as Graham. From designing for UVT (including the Crooks and Black Scale collaboration) to his own work, and showing at Known Gallery. He also stands for a lot of things that fall in line with the fabric that makes up ARISTOCRATS unique personality. It is because of his undeniable talent and strong views that we also commissioned him to work on one of our new logos as well. Thanks Graham.
1. Name/Occupation/Purpose in life?
Co-Owner & Creative Director for Us Versus Them
2. Who is “them” in Us Versus Them?
When we first came up with the name it wasn’t really directed a specific target. It really was more of a positive attitude we had about our confidence in ourselves in the face of all that stood in our way to becoming successful. We wanted to spread our gospel of supporting independent business. To promote pride in being an outsider creating your own path.
Subcultures that had previously been built up by independent artists, businesses and early adopters were (and always are) being mined for inspiration and profit by corporate businesses, who rarely ever contributed culturally (only financially) to the scenes they profited from. We saw a problem with that because the smaller companies and artists basically took a lump of coal and turned it into a diamond, only to have a giant corporation come in, throw out some sponsorships while it steals that diamond, never to return it.
As we started building the line aesthetically, I wanted to use the platform to expand the messages, bringing attention to social injustice, hypocrisy in leadership (cultural, moral and civic) and other forms of conflict. So in that respect, “Them” became pretty much any person or organization that desired to control and manipulate through less than honerable means. Be it a specific event, like the Kent State shootings which we used for a tee a couple years ago, or a message – our “No One Left” tee in the upcoming summer release touched on public apathy in the face of injustice – we want to remind people that they have the ability to positively affect the lives of others as long as they stay awake and aware of whats going on in the world.
As we move forward, I want to build off of that positivity and push the idea that you can always better yourself and your position in the face of any adversity and any adversary. Ultimately I hope our tees will inspire confidence in those who need it and motivate those who concern for the welfare of others to get to work helping them.
3. What inspires you?
Those who create something out of nothing. Those who can endure hardship and harness that experience into a positive direction. Self-confidence. The infinite complexity of Nature. Being a father. The never ending cycle of creation and decay. Human emotions. Conflict & ethics. Absurdity. Logic & reason. Living simply. Classic and functional design. All music from all cultures. Buying things that are built to last not built to be cheap. HAVING FUN AND MAKING A LIVING DOING WHAT YOU LOVE.
4. Do you give a hoot?
Maybe too much. Ha.
5. Isn’t it easier to fool youth than adults?
All humans can be mislead, but the youth have the natural urge to question and rebel on their side. As you grow older and take on more “responsibilities” and more stress, people forget to question the truth, because it is easier for them to live life with blinders on and let the media think for them.
Photo Source: Known Gallery