Christoph Niemann was born in Waiblingen, Germany in 1970. After completing his studies at the Stuttgart Academy of Fine Arts he moved to New York City, where he's been working as an illustrator, animator and graphic designer since 1997. His work has appeared on the covers of The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, the New York Times Magazine and American Illustration. His corporate clients include Nike, Google, Amtrak and The Royal Mail. Christoph Niemann's illustrations have garnered numerous awards from the AIGA, SPD, ADC and American Illustration. His latest book The Pet Dragon teaches Chinese characters to children. Christoph is a member of the Alliance Graphique Internationale and lives in Berlin and Brooklyn, with his wife Lisa and three sons.
10.29.08
Cartoon Animals (of Questionable Quality)
If you have a degree in what field is it? I have an MFA in graphic design from the Stuttgart (Germany) Academy of Fine Arts
Have you always been able to draw or was it a skill you learned in college? I have used my drawing skills to compensate for my social shortcomings since I was four.
What was your first paid assignment? When I was fifteen, I borrowed some money to buy airbrush equipment and made a little money doing cartoon animals (of questionable quality) on pieces of cloth, that friends would have their moms sew on their jeans jackets.
Which illustrator (or fine artist) do you most admire? In my mount Olympus of Illustration I have Saul Steinberg sitting all the way up there (with a long Gustave Doré shadow behind him). Besides that there are the other (rather obvious) heroes: Milton Glaser, Seymour Chwast, Brad Holland and Heinz Edelmann. As far as fine artists go: Richter, Polke, Kippenberger and of course Picasso and Warhol.
What would you be doing if you weren’t an illustrator? If I were more patient, I could imagine being perfectly happy as an engineer.
From where do your best ideas originate? Staring endlessly at a white piece of letter size paper.
How do you overcome a creative block? Staring endlessly at a white piece of letter size paper while drinking coffee.
In one word describe how you feel when beginning a new assignment? Scared.
Do you have a personal philosophy? If I’m the only one who thinks it’s funny, it’s not funny.
Do you have creative pursuits other than illustration? At some point in my life I dream of becoming a decent piano player.
What music are you listening to right now? Errol Garner, Mozart and, yes, Amy Winehouse.
What’s your favorite quote? “Peeing in your pants only keeps you warm for so long.” —Unknown
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? A quote from my teacher, Heinz Edelmann: You will be surprised how many problems can be solved by hard work.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? In the first years, I always thought I was the only one who was freaking out. If you appreciate the immense pressure that your clients (art directors, editors) face, you have a much better chance of anticipating and avoiding trouble.