Kris Andrew Small discusses manifestation and the importance of putting yourself out there

Alongside inspiring stories about his journey into the industry, Kris told us how finding meaning in your work can be one of the most important (and rewarding) aspects of your practice.

Date
19 April 2022

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Closing this month’s Nicer Tuesdays event was graphic designer-stroke-artist Kris Andrew Small, a polymath of sorts and someone who defines himself this way because, apparently, he’s “technically the worst designer in the world”, he jested on stage. We disagreed, and so did the audience as they gawked joyfully at the vibrant work displayed on the big screen. Alongside wit, charm and many anecdotes, Kris discussed his route into the industry – which surprisingly started off in advertising. Despite the slight detour, he explained how it was an experience that gave him the knowledge to make his work “accessible” for a wider audience.

From posters to campaigns for the likes of Reebok and Gay Times, Kris presented his broad yet vibrant portfolio and explained how, most imperatively, it’s taken lots of hard work to get where he is today. “A lot of the time with creatives, we see the end thing and we’re like, ‘wow that’s amazing, they got there really fast’. We rarely see the 10-year journey that it takes,” he shared. Another key pillar to his work is typography, his “favourite” aspect that encompasses his ethos as a designer – one that involves finding meaning in his output. “I have a lot of things to say and it’s really easy with typography. I see it as a bunch of shapes you have to arrange on a page, I don’t see it as letters,” he explained. “A lot of the time I get in trouble about things not being very legible, and I think there’s beauty in something not being instantly recognisable. It’s nice when someone has to look a little bit deeper and try to read your work, as opposed to quickly flicking through it.” And finally, Kris raised the importance of the concept of manifestation. “A lot of the time we sit back and wait for things to come to us, and I think it’s really important to put yourself and your work out there.”

Event Partner

Mailchimp

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Further Info

Nicer Tuesdays is our monthly event of creative talks. You can find out more here.

About the Author

Ayla Angelos

Ayla is a London-based freelance writer, editor and consultant specialising in art, photography, design and culture. After joining It’s Nice That in 2017 as editorial assistant, she was interim online editor in 2022/2023 and continues to work with us on a freelance basis. She has written for i-D, Dazed, AnOther, WePresent, Port, Elephant and more, and she is also the managing editor of design magazine Anima. 

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