Designer Spotlight: Emptees Profile: Michael Shantz
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Michael Shantz lives in Vancouver, soon Sheffield UK, and has been an Emptees member for 12 months. He co-owns ALUMNINYC and works for Drop Dead.
Interview
Why did you decide to start designing tees?
Michael Shantz: I didn't really have a choice to start designing tees, I was just finishing up my 4th year in the university and I got a few emails from different bands asking if I did shirt designs. At the time I didn't have a tablet but the whole threshold photos thing was huge so I just ripped into it and got a lot of work. The year after when I moved to Vancouver, the singer from Stick To Your Guns, Jesse, wanted to start his own line (as most bands want to) and I did up an entire line, then he went on tour and I'm pretty sure he didn't print anything. It was a year later, I met Jimi from Alumni and I have been doing designs for bands and clothing lines ever since.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Michael Shantz: I get most of my inspiration from my childhood, toys like Madballs, Toxic Crusaders, Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, as well as comic artists like Adam Warren and Joe Mad. I also draw from a TON of japanese woodblock prints and am hugely inspired by Japanese mythology and egyptian history.
How quick of a designer are you?
Michael Shantz: If I know what I'm drawing and have it all planned out in my head I can barrel through a design in a couple hours or so, but if it's a lot of detail then it can take a few days due to the Nintendo DS breaks.
What is your favorite blog?
Michael Shantz: http://www.highsnobiety.com/news and http://www.mishkanyc.com/bloglin
Where do you buy your t-shirts?
Michael Shantz: I don't really buy tees often due to the fact that I get a lot of free shirts from companies I work for like It's Alive (www.itsalive.com, www.bigcartel.com), El Kartel, and Drop Dead.
Favorite movie of all time?
Michael Shantz: Half Baked
PleaseDressMe's Favorite Michael Shantz Design: BEARZOR
