Thinking in Black and White
Imagine your life and environment being within the pages of a black and white comic. Big bold black lines creating dimension in an endless sea of white. Look no further than the brilliant mind of Joshua Vides.
I came across Joshua a few years back when he started to get traction for taking a sharpie to the outlines of a clean white pair of Nike Air Force 1s. Simple, hand drawn lines promoted this 2D look to a real, three dimensional object. Pretty cool concept, right? But, it's just that, nothing more. Commentary like “I could have done that.” filled Joshua Vides 2D comment section.
Source : Joshua Vides on Instagram.
Fast forward two years, and Joshua Vides is at the forefront of art and design. A booming new business and creative studio creating massive exhibits for the likes of the MLB/NBA/NFL All-Star Games, established collaborations with big brands like Converse, Fendi, and BMW, and his black and white hand drawn style being copied by every kid with a pair of Air Force 1’s and a Sharpie.
Source : Joshua Vides on Instagram
But is this truly groundbreaking design? I would argue a definite yes. In a world filled with color and extensively complex design, Joshua Vides decided to flip it on its head. This isn’t just an interesting aesthetic though, but a new uncharted way of thinking about experiential design.