ADORN: An Interview with Eric Elms
Is there a different approach for you when you’re doing things for the Hong Kong market?
Well, they’ve changed stuff up a bit. When I first started working with them they skewed towards a younger aesthetic. Now, they’re a little more mature, more wearable for an older customer. But for Hong Kong, yes and no. They know what works for them so I pick up on that vibe from them. Some things that I do aren’t right for them, but it’s that way with any company.
Do you like going out to Hong Kong?
I like it, but I wouldn’t say I love it. I’m not used to that city as much as I am to Tokyo. They’re very different. Tokyo has had a long time to develop their very specific interests, whereas in Hong Kong they don’t really have that stuff, but it’s more exciting in that they’re discovering a lot of things. Things are moving really fast there. A lot of things are exploding. Which can’t happen in a lot of
large countries, they’ve already been exposed to new things for a long time.
What was your first graphic design gig ever?
Well, when I lived in San Diego, I worked for Shepard Fairy, screen printing posters in his garage as my summer job. But, I wasn’t designing, just figuring shit out to print it. In college at Pratt one of my teachers was Kevin Lyons and I helped him with printing stuff and he brought me over to SSUR. So that was my first exposure to that world of graphics and tees.
Were you into graphic tees and stuff like that in High School?
More on the skate graphic tip. I was drawn to that type of thing, same as board graphics. Kids back then didn’t really think of it as like “clothing brands.” It was more just shirts that came out or whatever, pre-collector mentality with the sneakers and tees.
