How long have you been designing?

I’ve been designing for about 7 years, 5 years professionally.

What was your big break into designing for bands and clothing companies?

I was working for a few bands while I was still in college and on tour with my own band. We were touring with these guys at the time known as Bleak December, now known as Winds of Plague. They saw the shirts I did for my own band and asked me to do one for them. Once the design was finished it was to be printed by this guy who owned a small company called Rockett. He bought the design from them and used it for a band he was sponsoring called Atreyu. It all kinda got rollin after that.

What is your favorite project that you have ever done?

There have been so many that I have enjoyed. I would have to say working on projects for Nike is pretty rad. They brief me with directions for various collections and let me go wild.

Describe what your typical work day is like.

My days can be pretty spontaneous, but I try to get some sort of schedule. I typically wake up and drink way too much coffee while getting up to date on emails and other fun stuff. I then start working on various projects throughout the day, taking breaks for more coffee, reading and taking in creativity. I usually can be found working up til bedtime.

With so many projects already under your belt, what would your dream project be?

I’d really like to get my own project going someday, where I have complete creative control over it. I make a lot of work that various clients really like but it doesn’t really fit their stuff, so I need to take all that and make my own thing. Whether it be clothing, books, whatever.

Are their any other artists whose work you admire?

I have this problem of buying and acquiring so much stuff from other artists, my wife can attest that my home office is a bit hectic at times. I really admire a lot of artists/designers of the past. People like Seymour Chwast, Milton Glaser and Saul Bass are big inspirations. More recent people like Mike Perry, Laurent Fetis, Geoff McFetridge are amazing and I admire a lot.

What bands have you been listening to recently?

I’m all over the place but to name a few; Gorillaz, Beach House, Washed Out, Tanlines, Mew, Club 8, Das Racist, Surfer Blood. Getting ready for good summer jamz!

You can learn more about Colin Standberg and his work at TheWorkSteady.com!