What I Enjoy – Matt Briner
Matt Briner – Graphic Designer…
Family: Jen (wife), Ollie (son), Henry (dog-son).
How long have you lived in the North State? For most of my life and I love it here.
What do you enjoy most about living in the North State? I love our natural resources and seasons (with the exception of summer – I could skip that one). We also have some of the most caring and genuine people that I’ve ever met and am happy to call friends.
Is there a logo or brand identity that makes you think, “I wish I’d designed that”? If you know me, you know I’m always referencing the Spartan Golf logo. It’s simple, brilliant and one of my favorite logos of all time. I know nothing about this company or even if this logo was ever used, but it definitely caught my attention.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? My top accomplishment is being a dad to the coolest kid around. Career-wise, I’m also very proud of all of the logos and labels I’ve created for Fall River Brewing, as well as being part of the team that created this very magazine!
What’s one app on your phone you couldn’t live without? Spotify! I’m always listening to music, whether I’m designing or working in the garage. Growing up in the ‘80s/’90s, I remember learning about new bands from a patch on someone’s jacket, a mail-order insert that came with an album or whatever was playing at the skate session. Now, with music so accessible through apps like Spotify, I can’t tell you how many bands I’m listening to now that completely missed my radar when they were actually cool. Haha.
If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Mexican food! Tacos, birria, enchiladas, burritos… I love it all.
What’s one movie you’ve watched more times than you can count? “The Big Lebowski.” It’s almost embarrassing how many quotes and facts I know about this movie… but the Dude abides. I’ve always wanted to attend Lebowski Fest with fellow admirers of the film and cast.
What’s one thing people are always surprised to learn about you?I’d have to say probably nothing. If you know me, you know I talk a lot, am an open book and wear it all on my sleeve. One thing I have heard quite a few times is the difference between the art I collect and wear versus my personal design style. My design training and practices have always been focused on less is more, but if you take a look at my T-shirt collection or my office walls, the art I buy is quite the opposite.
If someone gave you an all-expenses-paid vacation tomorrow, where would you go? Crete, Greece. The scenery, food and culture look amazing.
If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would you invite? Man, this is tough. I’d have to say Rodney Mullen—legendary pro skateboarder and all-around visionary. I’ve always loved his expression through skateboarding, but watching his TED Talk made me realize what a visionary he is. Allan Peters—one of my favorite logo and branding designers (next to Jon Contino) who has gained a lot of popularity recently for his reworks of classic logos. I love the way his brain works and his creative process. Chris Sharry—”Punk Artist,” teacher and all-around cool guy. He’s done some very iconic punk rock logos and albums, probably best known for the Descendents logo. Between their stories and creative outlooks on art, design and life, I think I’d probably forget we were having dinner.
If you could have any superpower for just one day, what would you do with it? My superpower would be bringing people together—creating world peace, ending corruption and somehow making sure no one ever creates another spreadsheet, because every time someone creates one, a designer somewhere in the world dies. Or so I’ve been told.
