Random Act of Art #5 is about to hit the hopper!
We met Al via Twitter, when he tweeted us a sketch & a thank you earlier this year. We fell in love with his lines – how could you not?! – and a few months later, here we are.
We hit Al up with a Q&A to shed some light on the project.
HOW’D YOU COME ACROSS SINGLE O?
In 2014 I moved with my wife (Taz) & two kids (Mexico & Roman) to the Central Coast for a one year working holiday. I had been introduced to a guy called Nick Goodger who was a local sign painter. When asking where was good to catch up for coffee he mentioned Single Origin Roasters on Reservoir St was the best. I was sold. Every time I would freelance in Surry Hills I would go out of my way to get coffee.
HOW’D YOU COME UP WITH THIS ILLUSTRATION AND ITS WONKY PERSPECTIVE? (MAKES GOOGLE MAPS SEEM SO DULL!)
I hear a lot with this style of illustration “wow every time I look I see something new”. I thought about the reality that people will keep coming back for coffee every day and sometimes twice a day. That’s roughly 5-10 cups a week. I’m hoping that this person feels like they have a fresh perspective every time they see the bag.
WHERE DID THE INSPO COME FROM FOR THE BIKE RIDIN’ GUY ON THE BACK OF THE BAG? DOES HE HAVE A NAME? CONSENSUS HERE IS IT’S JAKE.
I actually rarely name characters. I love the fact that you think of Jake when you look at that character. I love to create interesting quirks in each character that people see themselves or others resembled. There’s a special connection created when someone sees themself reflected in your brand.
SEEMS YOU COULDN’T GET AWAY FROM US – WHEN YOU MOVED UP THE COAST YOUR LOCAL WAS SERVING SINGLE O?
Yeah, I felt really at home living in Avoca Beach. It was a daily tradition to jump in the car at 6.45am with the kids, check the surf and then go grab some takeaway coffees at Becker & Co. Coffee has a special power in introducing you to like minded people. If two people love the same coffee then they’re bound to become good mates. Dale Hunter – who owns Becker & Co – became a really great mate. Was always good to pop in and have a like-minded person to talk to. He was also cool enough to let me draw on his blackboard in exchange for coffee and breakfast wraps (best breakfast wrap I have ever tasted).
NOW YOU’RE FURTHER AFIELD IN AUCKLAND – ANY COOL PROJECTS ON THE BOIL?
Yeah!! I have been smashing the work out all year. Just did a cool tshirt collab with Attaquer cyclewear, and another with Grain of Decent on a handmade Paulownia/Cedar hollow surfboard. I’ve also just smashed out some solid projects for Disney & Coke. I have two kids books which I have written and I am in the process of illustrating.
FAVE COFFEE SPOT IN AUCKLAND?
Favorite spot to get all my coffee needs in Auckland is Coffee General in Birkenhead. Hans who owns it has created an amazing culture and focus around coffee.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ON THE NEXT SINGLE O RANDOM ACTS OF ART?
I’d like to see an illustration of a coffee raft in the water at Bondi, towed by dolphins and serving coffees to everyone.
– Shortboarders on their thrusters would order double flat whites.
– Longboarders would be ordering long blacks
– Alaia riders would be ordering long blacks with coconut oil
– Single fin sliders would immediately look for the cold drip.
– SUP riders probably wouldn’t order coffees as they are on a strict budget to afford owning 3-4 SUPs all the same size in different colours… oh yeah and a couple of carbon fibre paddles.
– Then there would be guys on cobalt blue and sunshine yellow foam boards would be asking for x-large mocha with two sugars only to realize they would need to paddle back in and walk across the street to a café that that also specializes in mass produced burgers and fries ;)
You can check out more of Al’s work via his Instragram.
Click here to see our other Random Acts of Art.
