Jochen Moenig aka Fritte (Germany) (US Version)

Jochen Moenig aka Fritte (Germany) (French Version - en cours)

Internet is unbelievable: 10 minutes after receiving Lars Krause contribution, Fritte answered me. Does the german empire decided to invade the blog ? That's the question! But be sure it is always a pleasure for me to welcome artists from all over Europe as they really have less exposure on the net than their american fellows. CrewK's blog is here to give them an opportunity to access a larger audience so, for the second time today: Wilkommen Deutchland !!!!

Hello, of course as every Crewk interview, first question: what are we listening to when we come to visit you?

A crude mixture of Classic Powerpop, ‘79 Mod-Revival and Northern Soul.

Can you tell us more about yourself, who are you, where are you from, what do you do?

My name is Jochen Moenig aka Fritte. I live and work as a freelance illustrator in Duesseldorf/Germany. 
Most of the time i draw storyboards, comps and animatic illustrations for big advertising agencies. Since the early-eighties i produce illustrations for posters/flyers, album art, magazines, stickers, apparel and logotypes. I’m a member of the API (American Poster Institute) and design/produce hand-printed, limited edition silkscreen posters and prints.

When did you start drawing?

As a kid.

Did you follow any course or did you improve by drawing in the margins of your schoolbooks?

I‘m a graduate communications designer.

Today are you living from your art, or do you do something else for a living ?

I live as a freelance Illustrator for nearly 20 years now. Seems i made some right decisions.

Are you collaborating with magazines/fanzines, regularly?

Rarely. I worked a lot for german zines like OX and Plastic Bomb.

Where does your influence come from? Is there any artists/graphists you particularly like, what are your influences?

Too many. To improve as an artist means lifelong learning. Discover new trends, experiment with illustration techniques and analyse (copy) other artists‘ work.

Some Names (no particular order):

Comic:

Hugo Pratt, Jean Giraud/Moebius, Sergio Toppi, Jack Davis, Serge Clerc, Bruce Timm, Alex Toth, Alex Nino, ...

Illustration:

J.C. Leyendecker, Jim Flora, Ralph Steadman, Heinz Edelmann, Bernie Fuchs, Bob Peak, Lionel Feininger, Celestino Piatti, ...

Poster:

Ludwig Hohlwein, A.M. Cassandre, Hans Hillmann, Jan Lenica, Gigposters.com

What are the principal steps in your work ?

Listen to the music, try to find an image that fits somehow. scribble the layout. execute the design.

Do you do everything by hand or on computer?

My storyboard workflow is 100% digital (Cintq + Photoshop).

So to compensate for sitting all day in front of the monitor - pushing pixels around, i do a lot of scribbling and blockprinting. Old School.

How long does it take you to do a poster?

50 Minutes up to 5 days.

You have a very distinctive style, are you doing only what you feel like or if tomorrow somebody asks you an oil painting with horses running out of water with a sunset backdrop, is it a problem or are you up for it ?

Working as a storyboard illustrator means you have to deal with a lot of art direction.

Concerning my poster designs i try to avoid this.

For which band have you already worked for?

(Beside the album covers) i did poster for (amongst others) OOTSA, EA80, Dirtbombs, Panteon Rococo, Unida, Radio Birdman...

For which band would you love to work?

Every Band who plays great music and has a good attitude.

Do you choose the artists yourself?

Normally the bands ask me to do as design for a poster, album cover or t-shirt.

What is the most difficult part in designing a poster ?

To come up with an image/concept that reflects the music/style of a band.

Do you think you are part of a "Graphic Scene", if so who else ?

I met a lot of very cool and talented people through the gigposters.com website and exhibitions like flatstock, eyepop ...

A bit of self-promotion, take advantage of it, it's free, where can we see your work , on the web or in real life?

Posters and music related graphics: http://www.skrash.com/

Gigposters: http://www.gigposters.com/designers.php?designer=4417

Storyboards: http://www.moenig-illustration.de/

The best praise you received lately?


An old friend copied one of my poster designs with a „Brennpeter“ (google that) - it can‘t get any better....

What can we wish you for the future?

Health and a lot of interesting jobs

Last question:  Do you know anything about french rock posters scene ?

Not really. Some names: Mathilde/Tanxxx and Henri-Pierre, Black Cat Bones and the „rock-poster-art.com“ website.

And of course the french rockposter artists who live and work in germany: Christian Gfeller (Bongout/Berlin), Damien Tran (Berlin), Kevin Puech (AntiPesto, Wuppertal) :-)

Thanks for answering my questions and see you soon on the website !!