Underneath his die-hard New Yorker exterior, Jon Contino reveals himself to Dirty Laundry as a meticulous expert at merging old world lettering with new world design, emphasizing the importance of putting concept before aesthetics. This renowned illustrator discusses his soft spots for the Yankees and turkey sandwiches, and stresses the necessity of passion for all artists.
Waterloo Gin
Illustrated Custom Treated Flags
2011
Besides talent, what makes a good designer?
Passion, perseverance, dedication, integrity. There are so many qualities a good designer should have and the funny thing is that I’d place them ahead of skill on almost any list. Anyone can learn to design something, but people with a true desire to make something happen will always be a better designer than someone with a lax attitude. Passion finds a way; talent doesn’t really do anything on its own.
Anyone can learn to design something, but people with a true desire to make something happen will always be a better designer than someone with a lax attitude.
Your style is very much “New York.” How would that change if you moved to a different city or country?
I suppose it would depend on where I moved. I was born here, my family immigrated here, the whole history of my life and roots are here, that’s what makes it feel so “New York,” I think. If I moved at this stage of my life, I don’t think the new location would affect my style. At this point I think it’s safe to say I’m a New Yorker and that won’t ever change. The only way I could really see it changing would be if I moved to Europe somewhere, but a lot of the aesthetic values there are basically building blocks for what New York is today, so even then I don’t think it would change that much.
Can you tell us a little about the historical accuracy in your work?
I’ve always been a maniac for details. It’s the little things that draw the line between pretty and smart. What a lot of people seem to miss is the “why” behind design. They’re always worried about aesthetic first and concept later. If you really take the time to learn about why things look the way they look, then the aesthetic just comes naturally. That’s why historical accuracy is so important in my work, I want to make sure I can justify every single mark on the page and explain why it exists and what purpose it serves. When you see major retailers rip off good artists you can always tell right away because the idea is corrupted and the aesthetic never makes sense with the words that are replacing the originals. The bottom line is that if you want something to feel old, it’s more about what it looks like. It’s the language, the tone, the context. All of that stuff is just as important as the design itself.
Tales Told Through Marks Made
2013
Do you consider design art?
Yes, absolutely. I don’t see how anyone can say that art is exclusive to one medium or another. Design is art, music is art, poetry is art…the list goes on. Art is the human desire to create. Even if you think it’s stupid, it’s hard to argue when someone is creating art. Now if you want to talk about good art versus bad art, that’s another story. People might confuse the good or bad argument with the “is it” argument.
That’s why historical accuracy is so important in my work, I want to make sure I can justify every single mark on the page and explain why it exists and what purpose it serves.
Nike, Hunt or Be Hunted Illustration for Nike’s VCXC running event in Van Cortlandt Park, 2012
Illustration and Lettering: A Hands On Approach to Label Design, Skillshare Class, 2013
What project has been your biggest accomplishment to date?
It’s hard to measure accomplishments. I’ve worked with major brands and agencies all over the world doing major ad campaigns and branding projects. All of these things are bigger than projects I ever imagined I’d be doing, but you get used to it after a while. Working as hard as you can will bring you to a certain level that makes you want to perform even better. You need to keep climbing the ladder and can’t really look down to see where you are. It’s the special little projects that really make me feel like I’ve done something. My favorite hardcore band of all time is a band named Indecision. I grew up listening to them and they’ve been one of those bands that have stood the test of aging in my eyes. A year or so ago, the singer of that band emailed me and asked me to design a shirt for one of their reunion shows. To me, that was the biggest moment of my design career. These are people I have absolutely loved for a good portion of my life, and to hear them say “We’re big fans of yours” is something that never gets old. I don’t care what project you throw at me, if someone I idolized as a kid tells me I’m doing something good, that’s a true accomplishment.
You need to keep climbing the ladder and can’t really look down to see where you are. It’s the special little projects that really make me feel like I’ve done something.
Louie
Illustration used in motion graphics development for season two of Louie
2011
What’s the greatest enemy of creativity?
Laziness. Always laziness. If you expect good ideas to come to you forever, you’re in for a long, painful hell. You need to get off your ass and make things happen. Creativity is no exception.
Is it important to surround yourself with other creative people?
I don’t know if creative is the right word. It’s important to surround yourself with inspiring people. They don’t necessarily have to be creative themselves as long as they have a unique approach to life. As an artist or designer, you need the world around you to inspire you so that you can interpret it in a creative way. If you rely on other creative people to show you how to view the world, then you probably shouldn’t be an artist.
What’s on your bookshelf?
Lots and lots of tattoo flash books, books about the history of baseball, various collections of old sign painting and calligraphy manuals, and random old books I find inspiring or useful in one way or another. Oh yeah, and lots of books about New York and the mafia.
What are the ten most important things in your studio?
A painting my daughter made for me, various artwork from my wife, mother, grandmother, and other family members, my Staedtler HB pencil, a cabinet full of Micron pens, a Mars plastic eraser, my iMac, my Canon scanner/printer, a ream of cheap printer paper, the ball from the game where I threw my first no-hitter as a kid, and the ticket to the Yankees pennant victory during Game 6 in 2009, which I went to at Yankee Stadium.
Has the recession had any impact on you and your business?
I thank the recession for who I am today. Before it hit, I was running a mediocre design studio doing run of the mill, boring work. I was comfortable and didn’t push myself. Once the money went away, I had to start getting creative about my business, and as soon as I did that, things started picking up and I really found my voice as a designer and businessman. If it never happened, I’d probably still be designing tri-fold brochures for obnoxious small business owners in Long Island.
Original Makers Club
City Guide to Cincinnati, OH
2012
Once the money went away, I had to start getting creative about my business, and as soon as I did that, things started picking up and I really found my voice as a designer and businessman.
Alpha Industries,
2011
What’s a life lesson you’ve learned that’s not art-related?
Family first, always. My father always told me when I was a kid that family would always be there for me while other things would come and go. The older I get, the more that idea comes true. Friendships, business opportunities, fads…they’re all fleeting, but a good family is there when you need them and even better when you don’t.
What’s your perfect sandwich?
This is my kind of question. While I would normally jump immediately to an Italian hero, I think the sandwich I would find the most joy in eating would be turkey, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato on nice, soft pieces of potato bread. It never gets old. Anyone who knows me could tell you that.
Tell us an awkward moment you had recently.
When my wife was pregnant and getting one of her last check-ups for my daughter, we were in a waiting room specifically for women getting ultrasounds. There was an older woman in the room, maybe in her 40s, and asked when my wife was due. They had a short conversation and the woman asked me a few questions about the pregnancy. Instinctively I replied by asking her when she was due. About halfway through I realized she wasn’t pregnant at all and kind of trailed off into a murmur. I think maybe she had a serious health issue too since she wasn’t pregnant and getting an ultrasound, so not only did I imply this woman looked pregnant, but she was probably there for something on the opposite end of the spectrum of good news.
USA
Original graphic produced for CXXVI
2010
Oops, poor lady! So what do you know you take for granted?
I try not to take anything for granted. I truly appreciate everything I have and am glad I’m lucky enough to have it. Maybe just being born in America is something a lot of us take for granted. We can get food, water, shelter, and clothing pretty easily in this country and a lot of people around the world can’t say the same thing. It’s almost automatic for us, so it’s pretty easy to take that for granted.
What does the “American Dream” mean to you?
Building something from nothing. There couldn’t be a better way to describe how I’ve built my career and business.
Good Times, Illustration for Good Times Restaurant Campaign, 2011
Jack Daniel’s, Hand-printed and hand-drawn poster for the Jack Daniel’s Declarations of Independence campaign, 2012