Phoenix is brimming with creativity. And every other year, we put the spotlight on 100 of the city's creative forces. Leading up to the release of this year's Best of Phoenix issue, we're profiling 100 more. Welcome to the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today: 63. Jeremy Hamman.
Jeremy Hamman lives a double life -- sort of.
By day, he's a design strategist at Allegra Marketing. By night, he labors under the banner Fat & Handsome. And, for an extra dose of duality, he says, "I am recently 31. My knees just turned 73."
See also: Phoenix Artist Mo Neuharth: 100 Creatives
Given the double duty, it's not so surprising that there are more outlets still for Hamman's creativity.
"I'm mostly excited about moving forward with some personal projects, most notably (and ornerously) a new platform for reading full length books in a lightweight, responsive web environment," Hamman says. "While mostly daunting for the technical considerations, the design process has been ongoing and a real intense and laborious thing. I'm also super excited about launching a branding site using Rick Ross lyrics as a way to teach some of the vocabulary, importance, and thinking behind effective branding. Last, I'm working on putting together the materials and assignments for teaching a new (to me) class at Scottsdale Community College."
I came to Phoenix with a wool peacoat, a muppety dog, the love of my life, and no money.
I make art because I'm a bit of a contrarian and I always felt like I wasn't supposed to pursue art. I design because it allows me to bridge between my more analytical, thoughtful past as a legal academic and the art and creativity of my youth.
I'm most productive when I get some solo jam time, a decent idea, and some thoughtful, honest feedback from peers.
My inspiration wall is full of screenprints and letterpress funsies from some titans, especially Trent Walton, the handsomest of them all.
I've learned most from folks who have been there and are kind enough to share. Whether it be from wizened (though spry!) print veterans, outrageously talented younger folks, or industry heavyweights with a desire to give back, I wouldn't have half the skillset or knowledge if it wasn't for the kindness and sharing of others.
Good work should always have knobby elbows. And, if we're talking design, it should solve a problem. It should do something, stand for something, and exist atop as much research and consideration as you can afford. If it's art it should take the viewer somewhere else...whether that place is dictated by the artist or the person experiencing the art is a matter of style and preference.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more confidence. I waffled here, wanting to say sharing (there's so much talent and technique, and such reticence to say 'I don't know how to do that,' that could help propel Phoenix further)...but it's confidence. A little swag, a little of that urban 'je ne sais quoi.' I don't mean attitude or surliness present in some of the larger, more traditional creative power towns, but rather a little extra edge because I think it's earned it.
See the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives:
100. Bill Dambrova 99. Niki Blaker 98. Jeff Slim 97. Beth May 96. Doug Bell 95. Daniel Langhans 94. Nanibaa Beck 93. Nicole Royse 92. Ib Andersen 91. Casandra Hernandez 90. Chris Reed 89. Shelby Maticic 88. Olivia Timmons 87. Courtney Price 86. Travis Mills 85. Catrina Kahler 84. Angel Castro 83. Cole Reed 82. Lisa Albinger 81. Larry Madrigal 80. Julieta Felix 79. Lauren Strohacker 78. Levi Christiansen 77. Thomas Porter 76. Carrie Leigh Hobson 75. Cody Carpenter 74. Jon Jenkins 73. Aurelie Flores 72. Michelle Ponce 71. Devin Fleenor 70. Noelle Martinez 69. Bucky Miller 68. Liliana Gomez 67. Jake Friedman 66. Clarita Lulić 65. Randy Murray 64. Mo Neuharth
