On the RYZ with XLR8

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 10:41:52

Anthony Faucheux aka XLR8, is a 25 year old French graphic designer. His surfing background gives him a fresh and light illustrative style. His sources of inspiration - nature, street culture, and some bends in his personal universe filled with a crowd of characters and small charming monsters. We had the chance to chat with Anthony and hopefully we did him justice translating his French.

RYZ: Tell us about yourself, some background history - how you ever became involved in the arts.

XLR8: I've been drawing since i was young and i always knew that i wanted to study art or graphic design. After my generic study, i took a graphic design in high school. After travelling the world with two friends, i became art director for an agency, and did that for about a year. Now i'm freelancing and been doing that for a year, which i really don't regret (except for the holidays - those are old dreams now).

RYZ: As we grow older our influences constantly change. Have your influences changed, as you have grown older?

XLR8: Yes of course, as most artists i think. I'm constantly influenced by fashion, the world around me, or by people in general. Personally, my travelling around the world made my conception of design and life grow. But these two things are already close, no?

RYZ: Any artist(s) excite you most right now?

XLR8: There are a lot of artists i respect. Some of them have a similar style to my own like KOA and TOUGUI, but i'm really excited by people like BANKSY too. I like street art.

RYZ: Who, What or Where do you find most inspiring?

XLR8: I'm most inspired at night! Most of my ideas come to me in bed or when speaking with friends. Sometimes when i speak with friends in bed! Communication and sharing opinions and ideas with others are very important to me.

RYZ: Do you prefer digital versus fine art or vice versa? What’s your favorite medium to work in?

XLR8: I have no preferences. Both mediums are complementary for me. I really enjoy working on the computer, but i must come back to fine art from time to time.

RYZ: Listen to music when you’re creating? If so, what do you prefer?

XLR8: Always! The first thing i do when i wake up is turn on music!

This is a source of inspiration and motivation (along with coffee).

I like every kind of music : reggae, blues, rock, electronic ...hopefully listen to my band soon!

RYZ: What are some of your favorite places to go?  What are your favorite things to eat and drink? Do any of these things inspire your work?

XLR8: I can't go a week without surfing. The ocean is my way out! The history of surfing inspires me everyday.

RYZ: What are you most proud of designing or creating?

XLR8: I'm never proud of my creations, i always find my work poor and basic. I'm still trying to define my style. I'm still looking and trying a lot of different things.

But if i have to answer the question, i certainly opt for the winter collection i designed for OXBOW, a surf and snowear brand.

RYZ: Any interesting or current projects are you working on?

XLR8: Yes, i'm designing a surfbook, produced by Oxbow, with a couple of writers and photographers.

I can't tell you more about it cause the project is still at the beginning. A little bit secret ;)

RYZ: If you could be known for saying one thing, what would it be?

XLR8: Certainly a joke or something stupid!

To see more of Anthony's work check out www.xlr8.fr