Artist and designer, Chris Schanck, moved upwards of 22 times in his youth. He credits Uncle Rocco with firing up his creative engine at an early age, and an arts magnet school in adolescence with “saving his life.” That’s not an overstatement. Fast forward a few years and he’s developed a distinct visual language, has a solo show at a prestigious gallery under his belt, and critically successful body of work. Now, he’s built a life and studio in Detroit, where he is attempting to put down some roots.

See more of Chris' work at christopherschanck.com, Friedman Benda and Artsy, as well as @chrisschanck on Instagram.

What is your earliest memory?

Playing with my kitten Razzel, he scratched my hands up real good. Cuteness mixed with pain.

How do you feel about democratic design?

The same way I think about public transportation: it’s great when it works, but I wouldn’t want to take it all the time.

What’s the best advice that you’ve ever gotten?

“Never talk to the cops.”- Dad

How do you record your ideas?

On paper

What’s your current favorite tool or material to work with?

Hot glue gun

What book is on your nightstand?

Language of Thorns by eigh Bardugo.
Vigilant Things by David T. Doris
Rama Revealed y Arthur C. Clarke

Why is authenticity in design important?

“I know for sure that we each contribute to the whole of what it means to be a human on earth. The fullness of our humanity can be expressed only when we are true to ourselves. Your real job on earth is to become more of who you really are. To live to the highest degree what is pure, what is honest, what is natural, what feels like the real you. Anything less is a faked life. “ - Oprah Winfrey

Favorite restaurant in your city?

Yemen Cafe

Photography by Michelle and Chris Gerard / Courtesy of Friedman Benda and Chris Schanck

What might we find on your desk right now?

Half drunken cans of La Croix

Who do you look up to and why?

My big sis Jolie. She lives in the moment, laughs out loud, crushes her enemies and stands by her friends.

What’s your favorite project that you’ve done and why?

The one right now because the vision is clear, but the production is a mystery.

What are the last five songs you listened to?

1. Rihanna - We found love ft. Calvin Harris
2. Rihanna, Kanye West, Paul McCartney - FourFiveSeconds
3. Alex Cameron - Mongrel
4. Talaboman - Safe Changes
5. Johnnie Frierson - Have you Been Good to Yourself

Chris Schanck, Reflectory, 2017, Resin, steel, polystyrene / Courtesy of Friedman Benda and Chris Schanck

Clever is created, hosted and produced by Amy Devers and Jaime Derringer. Thanks to Tai Navares and Alex Perez for editing this episode.
Music in this episode courtesy of El Ten Eleven—hear more on Bandcamp.
Shoutout to Jenny Rask for designing the Clever logo.

Keep Listening

Featured

Ep. 219: Federico Negro on Making Tools to Empower and Scale Sustainable Design

Founder and CEO of Canoa, Federico Negro, was born in Uruguay during a time of political turmoil and lived in four countries by age 14. As a teenager in Chicago, he used music as a means of learning English, and during college became fascinated by forensic architecture, which informed his fixation with “how we build with what we build.” An Architect, designer, toolmaker, and entrepreneur, his first company, CASE, was acquired by WeWork. From there he served as the Global Head of Design for Wework during the company’s rapid expansion, and witnessed first-hand the pain points and environmental challenges that could be mitigated with better tools. So in 2019, he founded Canoa, an AI-driven, collaborative software aimed at revolutionizing the interior design and furniture industries by addressing environmental issues and becoming a tool to help us build a better future.

Ep. 218: The Exquisite Love, Magic and Maximalism of Londubh Studio

Custom surface artists Lisa Donohoe and Brynn Gelbard met and fell in love in the queer underbelly scene of San Francisco in 2002, a time before bi-national same-sex marriage was legal. Self-proclaimed party animals, their diverse community was built on love, curiosity and celebrating each other's differences. In an evolution that was equal parts organic maturity and cosmic intervention, Brynn and Lisa moved to Los Angeles and founded Londubh Studio, specializing in elaborate and maximalist hand-applied surface designs. Now the duo, oft considered the design world’s secret weapon, are translating their wildness, love, magic, and the sacred, through exquisite artistry and pristine craft, into visual celebrations that vibrate with love and emanate joy. Turns out these former revelers are still going full-blast on life.

Ep. 217: Design Researcher Amanda Schneider on the Art of Contextualizing the Data

Founder and President of ThinkLab, Amanda Schneider, grew up outside of Chicago, inspired by a blend of engineering and design. Now a self-described “designer by degree, journalist by accident, and researcher by choice” at the helm of ThinkLab, she examines the ecosystem of the design world, unearthing and synthesizing the social and cultural shifts and drivers that impact the interiors industry. Together with her team, she offers insights and context that can empower better decision-making while also bridging the communication gap between creatives and the business sector. A keynote speaker (catch her recent TEDx talk) and the host of the podcast Design Nerds Anonymous, Amanda shares her wisdom on topics like communication strategies, storytelling, and the future of work.

Ep. 216: Clever Extra - Interior Designer Kerrie Kelly on Uniting Beauty and Function

Interior designer and lifestyle expert Kerrie Kelly is known for her distinctive California-inspired design philosophy. She got her start at Ralph Lauren Home and then moved to Del Webb Corporation where she was a boots-on-the-ground high-volume designer of homes, before founding her multi-faceted design studio, Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, in 1995. A graduate of both design and business school, she blends both of these skill sets in her work as an interior designer, trendspotter, and brand partner. She’s driven by a commitment to bringing thoughtful design into everyday life, which for Kerrie means blending beauty with functionality and translating that through a palette of luxurious and organic materiality.

Ep. 215: Kinfolk’s Idris Brewster Uses AR to Empower Collective Memory Building

Artist, creative technologist, and educator, Idris Brewster grew up in Brooklyn, being filmed for a documentary about his education as a black student at a prestigious, primarily white, school. His coming-of-age, only partially caught on camera, included a lot of basketball and hands-on artistic development. A grant awarded in college gave him early access to VR technology which opened a path to combining all of his talents and interests and expressing them through new media. Now, as co-founder and Executive Director of Kinfolk Foundation, he’s harnessing augmented reality, location-based technology, and community to engage in placing digital monuments in public spaces, memory building, and foregrounding the Black, Brown and Queer histories that have been intentionally silenced.

Ep. 63: Chris Schanck

Keep Listening

Hear every episode with one click.

Resources

Listen

Ep. 63: Chris Schanck

Keep Listening

Ep. 64: Justina Blakeney

Ep. 62: Ingrid LaFleur

Hear every episode with one click.

Resources

Listen