In the studio: Allan Lorde

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Allan Lorde in his home studio.

GRAPHIC designers are a major part of every art world, including the one here in Winnipeg. While many of these artists do not regularly show their work in gallery settings, they often use their creative juices to attract your attention via advertising. Local graphic designer and illustrator Allan Lorde is one of these gems. As an active member of the North American poster art community, music plays a major part in his work. If you've attended any local indie music shows in the past few years, you've probably seen his signature style grace the poster and album covers of artists such as Pip Skid and Grand Analog. He gives us a look into his world of design, typeface and illustrative goodness through these five questions.

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Artwork by Allan Lorde

1. How would you describe your work?

Let's see: illustrative with a cartoonish bent. I think that sums it up. I straddle the line between graphic design and illustration with pretty much everything I do.

2. What goes into making one of your pieces?

Every piece starts with pencil sketches (loose ones, followed by tighter ones), even if the end product is digital. If I'm keeping it analog, I'll use whatever is around: pigment liners, markers, watercolor pencils, Crayola crayons, etc.

3. What/who inspires/influences your work?

Art Chantry, Jay Ryan and Reid Miles are my primary influences but lately seeing good custom lettering tickles my fancy. Be it on someone's website, or a painted sign -- I'm loving that sort of thing. Designer Rian Hughes put out two terrific lettering books recently that thrill me every time I open them. I gotta hit the desk and attempt to replicate some of the things I see in those. It's the only way I'll learn!

4. What are you trying to say with your work?

I think I'm often trying to share what I think is cool and, hopefully, the viewer will agree. If not, that's showbiz! If I can put a smile on your face, that's cool. Also, I've done a handful of gig posters in the past decade, so if anything, I'm attempting to balance advertising and fun, cool-looking ephemera. Y'know... unintentional memorabilia, in a way.

5. What is it like being an artist in Winnipeg today?

That's a hard one to figure. I know a number of illustrators/fine artists in the city, since the degrees of separation are tiny, so there's a community to reach out to. But I find myself kind of on the outskirts because I'm not doing gallery stuff currently. I do know there are outlets available, gallery-wise, so that's cool. I just have to get it together!

To find out more about Allan Lorde, visit his website at www.allanlorde.com

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 2, 2011 E2