Craig Robson is the designer of the “Eagle” hoodie in the Wonderful Life fall line. Matt recently got a chance to interview him.

Hello Craig. You’re looking rather well today. How’s everything going?

Everything is going great thank you, the sun is currently shining and i am on my third cup of tea for the day!

So for those who don’t know. What is it you do exactly?

I am currently a freelance designer/illustrator who works in both traditional and digital mediums. when I am not drawing I am usually cooking, reading or watching movies and documentaries.

Describe what your typical work day is like.

My work day is super straight forward. I wake-eat-check emails and draw. stopping only to fuel the machine with tea and toast.

You’re style reminds me of old school tattoo work. How would you describe your style of artwork, and how did you develop it?

I would definitely describe my style as tattoo influenced, I am a huge fan of particularly neo-traditional tattoos. my style has developed and changed a great deal in the last few years, I would say it is an accurate reflection of my interests and of various studies I have done.

I like to think my style is an amalgamation of comic books, punk aesthetics, tattoos, old English folklore, mythologies, a childhood of reading my fathers horror novels and listening to 80′s metal, a fascination with the occult/obscure and antiquated relics and a general distrust of religions.

I developed my current fascination with traditional inking over many moons, I think finding the right materials that do exactly what you want them to do is key, I have since whittled down my materials to a select elite few who serve me well with little back chat and a combination of fear and respect.

Have you ever tried your hand at tattooing?

At this point in time I wouldn’t trust myself with a tattoo machine, I respect the craft of tattooing and refuse to become a kitchen poker. If I was to try my hand at tattooing it would be after a long and informed apprenticeship.

What sorts of outside influences affect your artwork?

Everything from the news to graphic novels to old record covers to what my granddad says, i think its impossible to be an artist without being a consumer. The best advice I have ever received is to consume as much as possible in terms of both visual material and knowledge, and its something that I have perceived to be a direct influence on the quality of my work.

How high can you jump?

To be honest I’m not sure. I’d say high enough. A more fitting question for myself would be “how long can you sit down for” and my answer would be a proud 3 days.

Out of all your work, what are some of your favorite pieces?

Aside from the awesome wonderful life hoodie?

Probably a piece that was released by MILES TO GO recently called Truth/reason, the pursuit of knowledge is something that is very close to my heart and in a day and age where some people want to repress the pursuit of science because of various agendas. I think it is important to remember how much we know and how much society has benefited because of it.

When your not drawing and designing, what else do you get into?

I try to ride my BMX, cook for my girlfriend, and drink as much rum as is humanly possible. Although usually these activities are punctuated by me thinking about drawing ha ha!

How do you feel about mustaches?

I think a good mustache is a fine thing, its like a strong accent. I have had a couple of mustaches in the past year and I still look at my face some-days and think of how much I miss my furry top lip friend.
It may be time to grow one back in honor of Movember.

If you could work on anything you wanted, what would your dream project be?

My dream project would probably working for a full line of skateboards and accessories, or maybe working for Vans. Or a line of action figures like old He-Man and Thundercats ones. Or coffee mugs! Or painting the whole outside of a building. Or designing opening credits for an awesome black and white movie about the occult. Or. Or or or…….. working for Wonderful life again

What type of music are you into? What are some of your favorite bands out there?

I like a lot of music, however most people would say I like metal. I’m into a lot of metal and hardcore and off shoots of both. For years now my favorite band has probably been Converge. In both terms of their music and the superb art direction.

I also like BASTIONS, The Chariot, Stray from the path, LETLIVE, The Ocean, hope conspiracy, ETID, the ghost of a thousand, THE BLED. Cancer Bats, Hundred Reasons etc etc etc.

Have you seen this video? How does it make you feel?

That was. Incredible.

Check out Craig’s work on emptees.com!