The iconic graphic designer and artist John Van Hamersveld creates some of the most influential, recognizable, and ubiquitous designs throughout his career of almost fifty years. He designed the classic Endless Summer film poster, the famous Pinnacle Hendrix poster, his signature Johnny Face, the packaging design for The Rolling Stone's Exile on Main Street, the official poster and mural for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the branding and logos for Fatburger, the 2009 Billabong Pipeline Poster, and the current Viva Vision "Signs of Life" Las Vegas Fremont Street experience, just to name a few of his projects.
Visiting John at his vibrant and comfortable "Coolhous" studio in Santa Monica, I enjoyed seeing the two black and white portraits he is currently working on, the series of 2009 Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood tour posters he created, and the colorful art displayed on his walls. John's active workspace includes his trusty MacBook Pro and a table for him to draw on as he watches television "because it is just so many hours of drawing."
During the interview, John and I discussed his many stories, his work, creative techniques, technology, social media, the music business, the Los Angeles scene, and culture. John expressed his love of storytelling to me and described how his work "simplifies stories to create symbolic and reductive art."
In his recently published book My Art, My Life, John describes in vivid detail his experiences creating art and living his life. He captures his adventures in the LA surf culture, 60's counterculture, the rock n' roll scene, the music business including Capitol and Apple Records, learning from Warhol, and much more. John's stories reveal the profound personal and cultural context of his work.
John continues to create and to receive recognition for his work. In fact, just this month, the Pacific Design Center named John "Graphic Designer of the Year" for their Annual Stars of Design Awards, "recognizing eight California design luminaries in their respective fields."
To be continued: a series of articles will follow with John's insights on the Los Angeles art scene, the music industry, technology, branding, advertising, and more!
Comments
This is truly remarkable! Truly one of the best interview/profiles, if not the best, I've read in a long time. Can't wait for the other pieces: enticing!!!
Awesome!
Truly inspirational- very interesting finding about all of John's talents. Can't wait to read more.
Looking forward to finding out more about the creator of all those iconic pieces--very interesting subject, very nice piece!
Fascinating. I would have had no idea that the same guy had created so many images so familiar through most of my life. This article has packed into it as much total info --and MORE interesting info-- than most long book reviews. I can't wait for all that's to follow.
Great article, Lauren! Always interesting topics! Keep up the good work!
That was great. Can't wait for Part 2.
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