2010 Review: Andy Smith

Date
17 December 2010

Our desire to work with Andy Smith was realised this year having asked him to illustrate Issue #4’s back page. His reaction: a seemingly ‘cool’ and/or lazy dog (in ‘shades’) reclining on top of the word ‘Nice’. He is a man capable of many very great things – something a quick tour of his portfolio will confirm.

Andy’s image of the year: “A picture to sum up my year is a bit of a difficult one, I’ve drawn lots of hand lettering this year as well as the odd creature so here’s a selection.”

Mark out of 10 for 2010?

8. It was a pretty good year but the cold start lost it a point or two.

What broke? How did you fix it?

My horrible office chair. I bought it about 11 years ago very cheaply from MFI. It was one of those old fashioned puffy ones like you’d see in a second hand car salesmans office. I didn’t fix it but have replaced it will a much more sophisticated eames copy.

What was the best thing you saw this year?

The best thing that I sawed was some old floor boards I found in the loft. I had just bought a new saw and it went through them with no effort.

What was your favourite day of the year?

I’ve had loads of nice days when I’ve walked along the Hastings seafront in the summer sun and thought of all you poor people in London sweating it out on the tube – no more days like that for me!

Most dangerous/scariest moment?

Climbing on to the roof (admitably with a scaffolding tower) to remove a massive build up of old seagull nests from the roof. It wasn’t exactly bear grylls but felt dangerous for me. They will be back next year so maybe it will be the scariest moment of 2011 too.

Best Google image search of 2010?

Pet capybara – I was drawing them for some reason, theres one sitting on a sofa that I really like.

Best man/woman of the year?

Edmund my German neighbour for inviting us to lunch on the day England played Germany at the world cup and then insisting that we eat outside on the hottest day of the year with no TV. What a guy. And I’m not even into football.

Your finest moment?

Work wise there were lots of good moments: I’ve done quite a few book jackets that worked out well this year and some nice Sight and Sound covers, also doing a newspaper with the Newspaper Club and a book for The Do Book Co. Outside of work it would be standing on that roof.

If you could only take one thing that you bought in 2010 into 2011, what would it be? 

I am right now wearing some very woolly slippers that look a bit like ladies slippers that I have to be careful anyone coming to the door doesn’t see. I need them in early 2011 as my studio is very cold. I’ll bring them.

What would you like to say to 2010?

As they say about wars and world leaders – ‘history will be your judge’.

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About the Author

Alex Moshakis

Alex originally joined It’s Nice That as a designer but moved into editorial and oversaw the It’s Nice That magazine from Issue Six (July 2011) to Issue Eight (March 2012) before moving on that summer.

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