The Silent Giants
The Silent Giants is graphic designers Christopher Everhart, Edward Knight, Eric Mortensen, Brian Larson
Can you remember the first flier or poster you made?
As a collective, the first poster we did was for the National show at Crofoot. Individually, Chris did a poster for Manna and Quail with the Great Fiction, Ed did a poster for Monument, Monument. And Brian did one for his first band when he was, like, 13. Eric's first was also for his first band.
Why did you start making fliers or posters?
To attract females — it didn't work. Actually it was because we wanted to be in a band but lacked the skills to do it so it was a way to stay involved with music without actually playing anything.
Do you consider this an art form?
That's a tricky question ... we like to keep the word "art" away from things that have an agenda, but we still feel that we are able to express our creative freedom to a certain degree. We still use our hands and our minds but it is sometimes dictated, and we do not have full control.
What's your signature?
"My Man," and we have a pretty mean two-step
Name an artist, contemporary or not, you identify with.
Saul Bass, Paul Rand, Aesthetic Apparatus and Ol' Dirty Bastard.
What's your style like?
I think we all just appreciate things that are designed well, be that a vintage science textbook or a piece of furniture.
Who's your hero, in real life or fiction?
Christopher: My pappy
Edward: Jónsi Birgisson
Eric: Miranda July
Brian: Bill Cosby
If you could create the flier for any band or gig in history, what would you choose?
Edward: Sigur Ros
Christopher: Modest Mouse
Eric: Low
Brian: Aqua
What trait do you hate in others?
Kids that are too cool for school.
Where do you feel most at home?
At home?
What's Detroit's most amazing spot for inspiration?
John K. King bookstore
What do you waste money on?
Beanie Babies, they are making a comeback and we're sitting on a goldmine! Didn't cut the tags off of any of 'em!
Gotten any good news lately?
We recently did a poster for the National show that took place on June 7 at the Crofoot in Pontiac. It was commissioned by the Crofoot and the band really responded well to it and has asked us to produce some poster and T-shirt designs for them. We are also gearing up to do posters for Phonofest and Wolf Parade.
Who do you think you are?
The Silent Giants.
What do you think you're doing?
Silent things.
Who do you think you're talking to?
I don't know — I guess we are talking to a survey.
See more art by the Silent Giants at thesilentgiants.com.
