Tyler Askew (Rude Movements)

What was it that got you into designing?

It was definitely a combination of things. As a kid, I was always drawing, and fascinating with making things and taking things apart. Later on, I started to discover design through my obsession with records, and particularly the hip hop scene and the London rare groove / jazz scene. Graffiti culture was another source of inspiration for me early on, and even still today.

What is the concept of your designs?

It really just depends on the objective. Client work is vastly different from my self-initiated projects. However, I'm a believer in having a logic to everything, or at least some sort of rationale that you can explain. Design without any story is simply decoration for me. We already have too much of that.

When you just started designing, by which artists were you influenced?

Swifty, Joseph Muller-Brockman, Neville Brody, Max Bill, John Maeda, Armin Hoffman, Gerry V – to name only a few.

How did you get started on working with the club scene?

I was admiring the London scene from afar, growing up in Atlanta. I was DJ'ing from a young age, and then around 17-18 started doing small parties- and its got to be said that Atlanta had a pretty great nightlife in retrospect- artists like Donnie, India Arie, Just One, Kai Alce were bubbling. As I got older, and began working with Straight No Chaser magazine and lots of different artists and labels, I got more opportunities to travel and see the club scene on a global scale. My time in London with Swifty (and Janine) and Chaser really rounded out my experiences. Parties like “That's How It Is” and anything at the old Blue Note club were very inspiring.

Could you talk a bit about Rude Movements as club night and label?

Well, Rude Movements really started out as a one-off party for our friends (respect to Dustin, Tchaiko and Ibrahim). It went so well that we did another, and it just snowballed from that point. I knew that I wanted to use it as a vehicle to promote Straight No Chaser magazine, and to bring exposure to that scene. Soon after, we were approached by PUMA as a potential sponsor, and that enabled us to bring our favorite artists from around globe. I think the (almost accidental) branding of the night, if you will, help elevate us to another level, and gave us international exposure. From there, it became a natural step to develop some of the artists that we'd linked up with along the way, and put out music. I'm really proud about the Taylor McFerrin release which made serious noise, and am excited to see what will happen next.

You released Rude T-Shirts from Reed Space, do you have any plan with them?

We'll see! I think the Rude shirts strike a chord with certain people, most of whom have no idea about ‘rude movements'. The Reed Space provides a great opportunity to gain exposure outside of our insulated music community. Stay tuned.

Could you talk a bit about PT3?

PT3 was a spontaneous idea that came about during a meeting with my friend Jeff Staple. We were laughing about our mutual fascination with table tennis, and how it would be funny to create a tournament. Both Jeff and I have relationships with PUMA, so we offered them the idea, and they were down. We've just finished the 3rd season, and its growing pretty steadily. We hope to expand it internationally in the next few seasons, and possibly develop more products (see below).

What does "creativity" mean to you?

Wow, that's a big one. I would say creativity for me is about breaking new ground. There's a lot of people doing the same thing. I'm interested in those that are willing to take risks, and not just follow the pack.

Could you tell a bit about your favorite works you have done?

That's hard to answer, but I'm excited about the packaging we've just finished for Me'shell Ndegeocello's new LP, "The World Has Made Me The Man of My Dreams". I enlisted my good friend Ian Wright to work with me on image-making, and I think it came out really well. She was very excited—at least— and she is not easy to please!

Also most recently, I collaborated with an amazing product designer Johan Liden of aruliden to create a limited paddle case and ball holder for PT3 called the ‘Ultramagnetic Collection'. This was a passion project, that we took from a sketch on a napkin to final product in under 2 months.

What do you think is the most interesting thing about designing? What do you think is the hardest part about designing?

The most interesting thing is probably all of the challenges and opportunities that it leads to. I could have never dreamed of some of the proejcts and clients I have been involved with. The hardest part is working in parallel on many different projects, and constantly having to come up with new ideas. Its not like punching a clock.

What kind of music do you usually listen to?

You know- soulful stuff. It seems to be changing all the time. Check Straight No Chaser, and Rude/MFT online for more specifics.

How is NY as an evironment, working as a designer?

NYC is an amazing place to be- so much inspiration/stimulation. I think the best part for me is that it forces you to elevate your game. Otherwise you will be lost. Also, the proximity to so many great people is priceless.

Do you have any ambitions for designs or projects that you'd like to challenge yourself in the future?

I'm definitely more interested in the fashion arena, which I've been working in peripherally for about 4 years now. I'm also more interested in the product side of things. But that could all change.

Please tell me about your future plans as designer?

Right now, I'm going with the flow, and not asking too many questions. I'm still absorbing lots of information and learning new things every day. I'm really lucky to have great partners and collaborators. I'm also excited about my ongoing relationship with PUMA and hope that some exciting things will come out of that. Although, if Fabien Baron ever happened to call, I would probably drop everything and go work for him.

Please tell me about your future plans of Rude movements as club night, and music label?

Currently, I'm focusing on developing a new concept— Rude presents MY FAVORITE THINGS. Taylor McFerrin is an integral part of this, as is my friend Simone Serritella in London. We're hopefully about doing Taylor's LP later in the year, or early next year. I'm also always on the look out for new talent. Right now, I've got my eye on a couple of promising law school students who make beats by night.

Thank you

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