I found Emil Kozak’s website just out of the blue about a year and a half back while surfing endlessly for inspiration and ideas for a job I was doing. While it did not quite inspire me instantaneously for that particular project [that job was too darn corporate/formal, anyway!], it triggered every single artistic bone in my body, sending waves after waves of shock to my temporal lobe with every image I came across. His work was just outstanding, and I immediately recognized that if I wanted to achieve my goals to be a great all round designer, then I needed to emulate his ideologies and achievements. If I had to name a role model, then I’d have to look no further. Fast forward a couple of months, and here I find myself interviewing one of my biggest idols.

I’m still in shock.

PERSONAL INFO:

Name: Emil Kozak

Age: 27 [1980]

Country of Origin: Denmark

Genre: Design, Illustration

Forms of Art: design and artsy shit

Mediums used: Pen, Paper’s, Pencils and the computer.

Website: http://www.emilkozak.com

Latest design for Lifelounge’s 22 Flavours By Emil Kozak

THE SERIOUS BIT:

FM: Hi Emil, thank you for doing this interview. It’s a real pleasure and an absolute honour to have you as a guest here on F’kn Mayhem. I noticed that you’ve just recently completed some work for Manual (MNL). What was that like? How does your clients treat you?

EK: That was good. In this case they practically let me do whatever I wanted, so that was fun and easy.

FM: Tell us a bit about yourself: what do you do for a living?

EK: I am a graphic designer working on illustration, graphic design and artsy shit.

FM: Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe you have either some Ukrainian, Danish or Czech blood in you… if so, how’d you end up in Barcelona, who hosts some of the greatest graffiti artists as well as the infamous club, F.C. Barca? What’s it like living there?

EK: I am born in Denmark, and my grandmother on my dad’s side had Polish parents. Spain is great, it has a great amount of diversity between the different parts of the country. There is everything. Rough colder climate in the north, warm south, mountains, snow, summer, tons of local dishes…everything. I ended up living here because my spanish girlfriend had to do her speciality around here.

New Paintings for Lab HQ that is featured on some decks as well.

FM: I love your work, and have been an admirer for quite sometime… You do a wide variety of stuff, from skates to tees to branding to phone designs! Tell me a little story about yourself, how did you kick start your career and when did you realize that you could make a living out of it?

EK: I started by taking on all the work i could. Everything that smelled just a little bit of design… working hard and staying focused.

FM: Who was your first major client and how did you manage to get the job?

EK: My first real major client was Vans. They contacted me out of the blue one day.

FM: I believe you run your own company… what’s your main field of expertise and if you were looking for an employee, what’s the number one criteria that he should have?

EK: It would be enthusiasm.

Full brand identity and logowork + a handful of misc. artwork for Manual [MNL]

FM: Street art is quite a big thing in Barca, have you ever done any?

EK: No, but I’m an active viewer.

FM: This is a question that everyone repeats from time to time, but I find it important to ask it anyway: where do you draw your inspiration from? I mean, I come across tons of really great artistic work from time to time, but every time I see something that you have produced, I take a step back and take a deep breath, because it’s really out of this world. Where does it all come from?

EK: Wow…thanks! Skateboards, Alicia, the city, the nature, Logos, Milton Glaser, 1970-1980, Lubalin, fonts, my brother, ping pong, surfing, family, guitars, handwriting, polaroids, books, paint, doodles, animals. Miro, children and pop culture are things that inspire me. Also… I always keep my notebook close, and start to doodle when ideas come up.

FM: I’m in love with your Element spring and summer clothing line, especially the two tone [red/green] tees. I’m also crazy about your Lakai shoes as well as the decks for most of the Lab skateboards that you design. Just like them, I am stoked! Was it always this easy for you in life, or did you have to work hard for this?

EK: I have worked hard. Countless sleepless nights and way too many hours spent infront of the screen. It has been easy in the sense, that i have always wanted to do it. That certainly helps.

FM: You sell your own tees online, here. They are just way cool, but I notice that the print runs are limited and exclusive. Do you do your own screen printing? Are you planning to take it to the next level, or do you want to remain doing what you are doing? When are we going to see an Emil Kozak brand, if ever?

EK: I get the prints done in a tiny place where they take care of the production, but the guys are cool and let me hang around and play with their machines. My idea of making tees was to learn about screen printing and having some fun making tees. So, as of now, i am not planning on taking it to a higher level. Still have a couple of ideas for new runs. But you never know what the future might hold. If somebody would drop by that could take care of all the practical work (mailing, production etc) I would consider making real collections.

Various tee designs by Emil Kozak

Decks that Emil has worked on for various skate co.’s… damn!

FM: Oh, I might just be that guy knocking on your door! I need to figure out a way to get to Barcelona though. What’s next for you? Are you working on anything new?
EK: Doing some collabs with Furni, solo-show at the FlowShop/gallery in San Sebastian, some logo projects, tees, new lab decks….tons of stuff…

THE POTSHOTS SECTION:

FM: I’m from Malaysia, have you ever been here or any other part of Asia before? Planning to come?

EK: Never been there, but sure i would love to visit!

FM: Barcelona or Real Madrid? [Eto’o or Van Nistelrooy?]

EK: I am not a big football fan, but since I live in Barcelona I would have to say Barcelona.

FM: Did you design your website or did someone else do it for you?

EK: I did it myself. It was a nightmare figuring out some php, but i felt like doing it myself and having the full control.

Emil and a wall… hmmm. Not active in street art?

FM: What do you do on your spare time?

EK: Being with family and friends, playing with sand, water, waves and photography.

FM: What’s the five things you’d take with you to a deserted island with no electricity?

EK: Surfboards and books.

FM: Any Last Words?

EK: thank you!

website: EmilKozakdotcom