Step by Step Graphics magazine

miketimble · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2001, 10:17 AM

Anyone really interested in screenprinted poster art needs to pick up the lastest (October) issue of Step by Step Graphics. It's a pretty nice graphic designer mag published in the U.S.

In this issue there's a piece on poster art with the likes of some of this country's better poster artists. This list includes a few people that are not listed on this website.

A short article with artwork from Emek, Aesthetic Apparatus (from Madison, WI), Steve Walters of Screwball Press (Chicago, IL), Jay Ryan of Bird Machine (Chicago, IL), The Ames Bros. (Seattle, WA) and Jeff Kleinsmith (Seattle, WA).

Up until the article I was familiar with everyone except for Aesthetic Apparatus as I had only heard about two dudes from Madison that we're doing some poster work. They do some VERY nice work and have a website up (check Google). You should have them on this site for sure.

Steve Walters and Jay Ryan are really two of the best poster guys out there. Here in Chicago they're really well known. Outside of Chicago, no one, except true geeks, know who they are. Steve Walters is exceptionally prolific and has printed maybe 500 plus different poster designs over the past 10 years. Just amazing. Jay kicks ass too but has not been printing as long.

Jeff Kleinsmith is probably the best true graphic designer doing rock posters today. He almost never produces a weak piece. From a design standpoint he has to be my favorite guy. Jeff is sort of a protegee' of Art Chantry and I describe Jeff as a more disciplined, cleaned up version of Art.

BTW: Last time I spoke to him, Art was moving to St. Louis area.

So, the only bad thing about the poster article is that they don't reproduce enough of each artist's posters. In fact, except for Aesthetic Apparatus, they choose some of each designers weakest stuff. So, don't judge the artists by just what you see--each has done more and in some cases, better work.

So, my strong recommendation is to pick up this month's issue.

Mike Timble
mike@propagandatshirts.com

connor13 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2001, 12:00 PM

i can attest to Jay Ryan's bad-assedness. i've got a couple june of '44 posters he made, very nice. always dug his touch & go catalog covers as well.

El Negro Magnifico! · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2001, 02:41 PM

I do have a copy of the issue, and it is everything you said it is. Thanks for the correction on Art's whereabouts! My bad.

robschwager · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2001, 07:34 PM

Jay Ryan is da man!

rob "trucker" schwager

http://www.robschwager.com
design * illustration * pop culture manipulation

peter cardoso · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2001, 08:40 PM

I picked up that issue and was really pleased at how well it was done.Being a poster "Geek" I only wished to see more of each artists work.All the guys represnted are true masters at what they do and I look up to each and everyone of them as insperation in how to layout and design a good piece of art.There the real deal. Jeff Kleinsmith design work has always been a favorite of mine.It's nice to see a huge publication such as step by step give some cred to the poster art world.

Speed · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2001, 05:01 PM

I've been seeing lots of stuff pop up in magazines lately (last year) about poster art. It seems maybe we're (poster artists) are finally being seen as the the new pop art movement that we are. All of our work is art vying with commercialism, and the viewer gets to see us try to toe the line between egomania of art and egomania of commerce. It's kinda cool that way.