Chris Costa is based on the cool southern coasts of Melbourne Australia.
Using a bold and simplistic design style ( accompanied with heavy doses of caffeine ) Chris Costa develops the basis for his recognisable art style. Today you will find his artwork linked to the broad horizons of music, retail, and fashion.
After collaborating together we got to have a one on one with the man himself.
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Chris Costa and I’m a freelance Creator based out of Melbourne. Focusing on Branding, Illustration and apparel design
for Musicians, clothing labels, Alcohol companies and everyone in between with a keen eye for strong linework and bold designs.
What does a typical day in your life involve?
A typical day for me is pretty boring to be honest, but it’s how I’m most productive and how I can take on the amount of work that I put out.
6:30 am – Take my dog for a walk
7:30 am – Coffee
8:00 am – Try and reply to as many emails as I can and complete any
amendments from current projects that need to be done.
10:00am – Start project for the day
2:00pm – More emails and more coffee
3:00pm – continue with current project or start a new one
5:00pm – Dog Walk #2
6:30pm – Finish up any loose ends from the day whether that be
the projects I’m working on, amendments or ……more emails haha.
What is your worst habit?
Checking my emails haha I used to be a lot worse but it’s something that has a positive…for my clients at least.
What do you fear most?
Letting people down. Like most humans and artists I feel like myself and my work are never good enough so I try and push myself to really go the extra mile for the people that I love and care about.
What word best describes you?
'Simplicity.'
What is something you're embarrassed to admit you love?
I’m not embarrassed about it at all but I love musicals.
Little shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, Grease are some of my favourites for sure and I’m really excited to see as many as possible on Broadway when I’m in the states later this year.
What was your first job?
From 13-18 I helped book and run hard-core/metal/punk shows
in my hometown. It wasn’t something I go paid for but I loved it and the music so much and it’s actually how I got started in design. I would design the poster artwork for our monthly gigs and it became something that I was quite good at and wanted to do as much as possible.
When did you realise you had a flair for your current job?
That’s a tough one….probably a year or two into starting my own business so 2015-2016. At that point I’d been designing for fun for 7 or 8 years and professionally for 1-2 but it was never something I thought I was any good at or anything I could turn into a full time career. I just didn’t want to do anything else and forced myself to work harder and get better.
A lot of people make me laugh. I’m really into stand up comedy especially a lot of the comedians and writers who have been involved with SNL over the years but Marc Marron and John Mulaney always seem to make me laugh the hardest.
If you had not pursued your current career, what do you think you would be doing?
At the end of high school I was either going to go to university to study graphic design or to study orchestral drumming (I’ve been a drummer since I was 11) so I’d probably be a washed up musician playing in a punk band for at a dingy dive bar in a suburb that no one would want to go to hahaha.
What is your favourite book/magazine?
The Bedwetter – Sarah Silverman
I’m a really big fan of stand up comedy and female stand up comics
so this one is definitely a favourite but is almost a tie with Amy Pouhler’s book – Yes Please.
Who is you’re your favourite band/musical artist?
That is an impossible question to answer. Music is such a large part of my life and to choose one artist would be a lie BUT at the moment I’m listening to a lot of Courtney Barnett, The Chariot and Jay-Z lately.
Who is you’re your favourite artist?
Again, another impossible question to answer but I’ve always loved and gravitated towards the work of Michael Cain (aka gnashing teeth) and as her work is tattooed on my body Clare Hampshire of Hot Copper Tattoo.
What is your favourite movie?
Jurassic Park, Lion King and Back to the future 2 are all tied for first place.
What annoys you?
Impoliteness. It’s so easy to say thank-you or excuse me and when people don’t do those simple things it really annoys me.
Do you have a secret skill/party trick?
Remembering Lyrics. If you asked me what I did yesterday I probably would have trouble remembering but for some reason I can remember lyrics really easily. A song from my childhood that I hadn’t heard in years could come on and I’d know damn near every word hahaha.
What is your biggest regret?
Nothing. Everything I’ve done in my life has led me to where I am today and although not every decision was good or healthy I would go through it all again to be where I am now.
If you could give on piece of advice to someone possibly wanting to do what you do, what would that be?
Work your fucking ass off. Freelancing is in no way easy and in no way kind so you have to really love it and work hard for it to make it work. Nothing else other than hard work will help you succeed in this business, no amount of Instagram followers or Facebook friends will pay the bills so you have to make sure there’s a good foundation in what you’re doing and it’s not all just a facade.
Do you have any upcoming events/tours/projects ?
In my spare time I design and run a clothing label called Badlands Brand
which you can check out at Badlandsbrand.com.
When did you first hear about DVNT - if it was before your last project?
A client of mine started modelling for DVNT a year or two back and put me onto you guys.
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Driving us home this Friday is Eagles of Death Metals cover of Duran Duran's, 'Save a Prayer'. Considered by some as better than the original, it oozes a classic rock sound that can't date.
Taking you on the journey into the weekend is the classic hit, 'Paranoid Android' from Radiohead's 1997 album, 'OK Computer'. The film clip is a must see while listening to the track.
