Interview with Chris Slabber

I've always knew I would end up in some sort of creative job since a very young age. Nothing else really gave me same excitement as the arts did. I live for those moments of inspiration.

I'm mostly known for my photography and manipulation techniques. I've always been inspired by Surrealism and photo manipulation allows me to really bend reality. I don't just rely on digital medium. Instead I try and do as much by hand as possible and the I would take it too the next level with photoshop.

Its always about solving the problem or challenge you've been given. Once you can visualise your end goal, interesting things start too happen. Nothing beats that moment when a project is completed and you can't stop looking at it. There is an uncontrollable smile that starts at your toes and fill your entire body with happiness.

I grew up in a very small rural town in South Africa. There wasn't much too do for someone that was interested in the alternative culture, so I kind of forced me to create my own world. It taught me how to shift my perspective of the world, how too make the dull become exciting.

I just always strive too better my skills and too keep working on bigger projects with world wide brands. Working on an international level is very satisfying for a creative, because you get too work with some of the greatest minds in their respected fields. They understand greatness, which allows them/us too for see trends.

Never assume it is about you when working for a client. Learn how too process feedback and manipulate it too the best of you abilities. You will build relationships that will last a lifetime and gain a lot of respect.

Make lots of mistakes every time. Failure is the driving force behind progress.

Coffee, breakfast, emails, get hands dirty, supper, netflix (usually a documentary), bed (I either read about creative trends or watch something on youtube about something creative).

I subscribe too a few blogs, but I find that Adobe 99U is a great source of information and motivation for any creative.

I try and keep it as simple as possible. I always tell student, "If it looks good, it is good. If it looks bad, you'll know it looks bad".

As soon as I like looking at what I've done I know I'm pretty much there. Your end result should make you smile.

There's been a few that stands out. In 2015 I did the artwork for Gordon's Dry Gin in South Africa, which was presented to the public on a very large scale. Also in 2017 I did a campaign for the Huffington Post that had a very influential call to action about smart consumerism. These are just 2 that really stood out for me.

I don't really have a favourite. I like too study the forefathers of design especially the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci and M.C. Escher. I guess in a modern world I would have too say Elon Musk. I suppose its the fact that they were/are able too change the world through design and innovation.

I tend too be very much a secluded person. I like being able too search my thoughts and my subconscious. I enjoy going to the Namib desert a lot. The total isolation is extremely refreshing and it allows me to be completely honest with myself and the world.

I see myself as a specialist in my field. I decided a while ago that instead of being a "Jack of all trades", I would focus on one niche market and sell myself as a product to the creative industry. Its not easy working for yourself. It requires a lot of focus and discipline. You need to have a strong routine and mindset, but you should also know when it is time to relax. The last part is not always easy.

I hope too inspire people with the bit of success I've had in my career thus far. I would like people too see that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve so much. Your future is in your hands so make it the best you can. Share your knowledge as much as you can. The more informed the world can be, the better the end result.

The night of the Gala in 2014 is my most memorable night of my life. I still get emotional thinking back too it. The A' Design Awards that I've won in the past gave me a big confidence boost and also made me so much more credible as a designer. I was able too shake hands with some of the industry's leading minds. This opened up my eyes on a whole new level.

I think its something you’re born with. I wake up in the morning with only one thing in mind and that is inspire others as well as myself and in the process I grow as a person and an artist.

I think design chose me. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

I always enjoy anything where there is an element of fantasy or surrealism involved. I think thats why I enjoy creating posters for movies ( especially Sci-Fi) as well as album art. These kind of themes aren’t always seen so much in the more commercial jobs, but I do enjoy working on ad campaigns that require some unusual approaches.

I think firstly to keep practicing and to make a lot of mistakes. Mistakes are the best way to learn. Then also they shouldn’t try to be someone else, they should develop their own style. And lastly I’d say that every designer needs to be honest with him/herself in order to produce the best work possible.

I would say to refine a design. You shouldn’t just settle for the first draft. You should explore as many possibilities in order to make the best of each concept. Another thing would be to remember that its the client’s money, so be respectful and you will earn the client’s trust, which will in turn give you the freedom you want.

As Mentioned before, explore as many avenues as possible for the design concept. Its game of trail and error and the little details that no one cares about. Its what you never see that makes the difference.

Good design just makes more sense. People are stimulated visually, so you can determine their behaviour by what you allow them to see. Good design can make it fun for children to learn. Good design can save lives, but most important, good design can change the world.

I would love to design the campaign artwork for someone like M83 (french musician). His music is very atmospheric and dream-like, which would complement my style a lot I would imagine.

Its hard to say, but I wouldn’t mind creating artwork for someone like Nike or some other kind of sports brand that has a bit of an alternative edge to it. Or maybe even get into doing work for a movie production studio such as Universal.

Honesty. Don’t try to kid yourself. Always be honest when you know you can do better and don’t be afraid to accept defeat.

There are so many out there, but I’m still mostly inspired by the grand masters such as Da Vinci, M.C. Escher, and Renbrant to name a few. I love going back to their readings and seeing how they studied a certain subject to fully understand it form and function.

I wouldn’t say I have favourite designs. I’d rather say that I get inspired by good design.

This is also something i don’t really know, because every design is its own entity. I feel that once you say a certain design is your best, you will always try to better that point in your career instead of exploring your creativity.

Stay humble and accept defeat when you have too. Its those everyday life lessons that shapes your mind and soul.

Design is a visual language. Its an abstract concept that is understood world wide.

My friends have always been very encouraging, but my parents really supported me in the journey of finding my design voice and to trust my instincts.

To follow my heart through thick and thin.

I’d say being able to get recognised as a freelance artist in order to land the bigger design contracts.

Professionally. Make effort to gain the attention you seek from the clients you want.

I've been in talks with Neon Records, based in Australia, to create designs for their new releases. Its still in the early stages, but I'm always excited to design for music. Hopefully I get to build a good relationship with either the label or an artist.

To always be growing as a creative.

Honest hard work.

By being able to inspire people to become better people. The power of good design should never be underestimated.

Currently I'm conceptualising an album cover shoot for a new South African release called Crawling King Snake. The imagery will be inspired by the title: First world Problems, Third World Country. Besides that I'm in talks with Warner Brothers to collaborate on an upcoming feature, but I'm not allowed to say anything more at this stage.

I’d say the ones where the client trusts you and gives you the freedom in order to be as creative as possible.

To be less competitive and more supportive.

To a way more global mind set. I think that more international collaborations will be happening which will see a good mixture of different styles from different corners of the world.

It all depends on the brief.

Research the subject material a lot!

To stay as humble as possible.

I think its a balance of the 2.

If its the right tool for the job, I will use it.

Camera, Macbook pro, Adobe suite, pen and paper.

It all comes down to what you’re working on, but its using these elements to enhance the composition of a project in order to make the message as strong as possible.

Can we pay you lots of money to make more - haha!

I’d like to study it to understand the process behind it.

I’d say someone that has a skill set that could compliment mine.

Anyone who complimented my work in the past has an impact on my work, because they are the encouraging force to help me strive to create more and better work.

M.C. Escher biography and the diaries of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Practise and staying curious.

Leonardo da Vinci, M.C. Escher, Elon Musk, Albert Einstein, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Kevin Smith.

I just see it as part of my job. I don’t really feel famous.

Teal, Still Bay South Africa (como is a very close 2nd), Seafood, Summer, Drumkit, New Balance

I’d have to say when I faked it to make it in my first job as a photo manipulator. I was asked if I am good at it, which I wasn’t at the time, and I kind of lied. I eventually got the job and ended up having to do so many tutorial through the night in order to start my first big photo manipulation job. Needless to say I learned how to swim very quickly.

To feel that sense of inspiration and satisfaction at the same time.

Well it was obvious that I would be part of the creative world for sure.

Time travel - I hope!

I’m a friendly, down to earth person. I’m always open to give advice when I’m able to and I’m always open to the idea of collaborating on a project. I always say, you won’t know until you ask.

I am a creative specializing in Photo Manipulation using methods ranging from hand crafted techniques to digital to (some) AI.

Its essentially a documentation of modern society. It will be able to tell future generations about our thought processes at the time. It would tell them what was important to us at a certain point in time. It would be able to show us/them the mistakes we have made in the past so that we can learn from them to improve the world through good design.

Surreal, Experimental, digital art. I love creating artwork for movie posters or album covers as well as ad campaigns with that push creative possibilities. I think it's to do with the fact that you have to take an entire script or album and compress it into a single image. My work walks a fine line between Fine Art and Commercial art.

Its hard to say, because I see awesome talent almost everyday online or in books, but on a personal level I'd have to say my entry for the 2014 A Design Award - Heazer - is my one of my favourites to date.

It was a logo for a furniture manufacturer called AMAVITA

I work in mixed media. I think that each piece of work is dictated by the brief. But for the most part I use Photo Manipulation as a technique.

I think once my research for a project is done and the concept starts to emerge. The energy is overwhelming.

Conceptual value and strong execution.

If the inspiration is strong I feel on top of the world, but sometimes you have to dig deeper and it can be quite the battle, but its worth it.

Just good old happiness which is so motivating to work harder to be able to do it again.

I always say if you, the designer, can look at your own work and it makes you feel good, then you've done a good job.

I would say balance. Does the design feel forced? Does it seem like one cohesive unit? Are the different design elements complementary to each other? So essentially good composition between the different elements as well as between the concept and the design.

As mentioned earlier, we as designers have the power to create a world of perfect balance, the trick is just to get the rest of the world to play along.

I think after the past 7 years of intense digital media boom with all the social platforms design has become a bit "instant". Couple that with AI (which has its place), the design world can start to look generic. So i think the type of design that will stand out will be looking to adopt a more "hand made" approach - using imperfections to create perfection.

I currently have a permanent exhibition space at Surval Olive Estate in South Africa. I would love to show my work in a Europe.

I go through a ton of design sites and books to get my gears going, but at some point I have to distance myself from those kind of distractions and just go out in nature, being it surfing or fishing or just a walk in the open air. Its amazing how much inspiration nature has to offer, because in my opinion, nature is the perfect balance of design.

Its very experimental. I love mixing media. I love mixing the abstract with reality. That tension between the two seems to evoke an exciting energy. My style is very textured based. I always try to make my work jump off the page or screen. My approach would be to follow my instincts and to trust my intuition.

I live in a small coastal town at the Southern tip of Africa called Still Bay. I like the fact that it's small and secluded, this helps a lot with the creative process for me. Way less distractions. Living in a 3rd world country does make it difficult to travel internationally, but with the level of internet today its a lot easier to maintain business relations internationally.

For most agencies, I work online. Its super important to work out a good schedule to account for time difference, but sometimes if needed, I'll work in house.

I guess looking at the work they has done in the past and trying to get hold of a few of their clients to get a first hand opinion. Then have a face to face interview with the possible candidates.

Start with a lot of research (as much as you can). There will definitely be a day or 2 of only lying and thinking, walking and thinking. After that start to divide these into 3 "concept folders", and from there present your ideas to the client and see if they like one. Then it's a matter of exploiting the concept to its fullest.

I think all the tools I've made to create specific works in the past. There are definitely more than five, but I love the stories they hold.

Wake up early-ish, have a cup of coffee and some oats. Go to the gym or a surf. Come home, shower and start the day's work. At the end of the day I like to do a bit of meditation. Then have supper and watch an episode or 2 of a series, maybe read something before bed

Forget the rules. I'm not saying go out and cause chaos, but don't make up your mind before you've even started. Be frightfully honest with yourself. Trust your gut, but be willing to make sacrifices when its the right one.

Positive: I love expanding my mind on a creative level. I love the insight one gets into the world. Negative: Not a lot of people understand what I do. I think most people just see me as some guy who draws pictures.

Stay away from comfort zones. Challenge yourself.

Having an open mind and to acknowledge good work when you see it. And also to always be a student of design. Design is always evolving and its important to be able to predict its possible future.

As mentioned, I like to create tools for each project. Also my macbook is stuffed with the Adobe suite. I mostly use Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier and Aftereffects. My one pride and joy is my M.C. Escher book - it amazes me every time I look through it. And finally my environment. I'm surrounded by mountains, so there are so much to experience here.

You compensate and prioritise. You have to make quick decisions on what is more important. This can sometimes annoy friends and family.

Till its done or when your deadline day arrives.

Do you do websites?

I think every job has experiences you can take from it. I feel that I learn a little more about myself every time I finished a job, especially when its a big one and your name is on the line.

Currently I'm lead designer for a National soccer team the Kaizer Chiefs. Along side that I work with a few production houses in the USA creating artwork for films. In the I have done work for: Mercedes Benz, Qatar Airways, Gordon's Dry Gin, Adobe, Huffington Post, and NBA to name a few.

I love movie posters and album art. I think it's the fact that you have to compress so much information into a single image. Also print ads that require an extreme kind of execution - this enables me to push my skill levels. Besides that I enjoy experimenting with photography techniques.

Just to keep pushing and to get my name out there as an artist. I'd like to work on brands such as Nike or Red Bull. I feel that these kinds of companies have a better understanding of what good design can do for them as a brand. Also I wouldn't mind getting into designing movie posters for big production houses. It'll be an awesome feeling to walk into the cinema knowing that I helped to create a part of an awesome production. Another big goal is to supply commercial properties with artwork. for instance I would love to create a once off pieces for a boutique hotel or modern office buildings.

It depends what I need to do for each project, but mostly on my own.

My studio is always full of works in progress. Currently I'm working on an abstract expressionism art series inspired by the ocean. The goal is to use texture and color to mimic the movement of the ocean.

Via email: chrisslabber@gmail.comPortfolio: behance.net/csdandiWebsite: chrisslabber.com Facebook: Chris Slabber Instagram: @csartist, Chris SlabberPhone: +27 82 381 5868

Just to all creatives, keep creating and know that you have the power to make your world beautiful. And thanks to my Mom and Dad for all the support.