Name: Christian Joy
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Product: Face Monster and Bug Monster prints for Solid Line iPad Cases

Designer and artist Christian Joy is best known for the colorful and inventive costumes she’s created for Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, an artistic collaboration that’s her generation’s version of Vivienne Westwood and the Sex Pistols. In an AHAlife exclusive, she’s brought her bold palette and cool graphic sensibility to Solid Line’s biodegradable vinyl iPad cases.

What inspired you to create these prints?
Monsters, Native American and Japanese artwork.

How were the prints made?
There wasn't really an idea behind them. I think I was experimenting with some shapes and the prints came out of that experimentation. I create all of my prints by cutting shapes out of construction paper. I don't really like to draw and I like things to be a bit more abstract.

Can you describe your creative process?
Usually something will catch my eye on the street or in an art gallery or at a movie and I'll pore over it in my mind for a while until I come up with something that really makes my heart jump. I know it's a good idea when I feel breathless about it. Then I'll sketch it out and try to figure out how to make it. When I’m creating it I'll just kind of go for it and hope for the best. I keep finding that if I follow my instinct and don't think too much, the piece tends to work out effortlessly.

What do you love about what you do?
I love problem solving and being constantly creative. I love figuring out how to make something and looking for inspiration.

How would you sum up your aesthetic/design philosophy?
I love large shapes and lots of color . I also really love a lot of movement in my designs, whether it's with the flow of the fabric or the way the print and color moves. I like to think of the person who is in the last row at a massive concert and asking myself if that person be able to see some part of this piece and feel affected by it.

Photo By Eduardo Juarez and Marci Leiseth

What are you working on next?
I'm working on some pieces for spring: jumpsuits, dresses and a bag. Kind of whatever pops up.

What would you like to do other than your current occupation?
I'd like to be a dancer or performer.