{"id":80779,"date":"2024-09-23T08:02:59","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T15:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creativemarket.com\/blog\/?p=80779"},"modified":"2024-09-24T02:43:24","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T09:43:24","slug":"garm-co-retro-brushes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creativemarket.com\/blog\/garm-co-retro-brushes","title":{"rendered":"Retro Aesthetics, Modern Tools: Behind G.A.R.M. Co.\u2019s Iconic Design Packs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/span>Introduction<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to another edition of Behind the Shop<\/a><\/strong>, where we take a deep dive into the creative minds behind the brands that thrive on Creative Market. This time, we\u2019re excited to introduce you to Emir Ayouni<\/strong>, founder of G.A.R.M. Co.<\/a><\/strong> (Graphic Artist Resource Merchant Company).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emir\u2019s journey into graphic design started in the most unexpected of places: a middle school logo contest. From there, he never looked back. Combining Scandinavian roots with a love for American boldness, G.A.R.M. Co. has become a go-to resource for artists looking for authentic, analog-inspired brushes and tools. Emir\u2019s passion for storytelling, Norse mythology, and retro design has created a brand that stands out by blending history, culture, and design innovation. Let\u2019s dive into how Emir brings traditional techniques into the digital world, and what makes his approach to design truly unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span>What does G.A.R.M. mean and how did the name come about?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

G.A.R.M. Co.<\/strong> stands for Graphic Artist Resource Merchant Company. I wanted a name that felt broad and timeless, reminiscent of the institutions and businesses of a bygone era, without feeling too niche or clich\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, there\u2019s a hidden layer to the name\u2014being based in Scandinavia, we liked the idea of a subtle nod to Norse mythology. In the myths, Garm<\/em> is a wolf or dog associated with both Hel and Ragnar\u00f6k, guarding the gates of Hel. Though we haven\u2019t explicitly referenced this in our branding yet, we do have some assets in development that play with this motif.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span>What inspired you to pursue graphic design in the first place? What were you working on before?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, and my first real experience with branding came when I was 10 years old. Back in 1989, for a middle school project, all the students were tasked with designing a logo for the school, and then everyone voted on their favorite. I created a logo featuring a skater doing an ollie, and it ended up being chosen as the official brand of our school.<\/em> (Please note: This is the first and last time I ever participated in \u201cspec work\u201d haha.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It remained the school\u2019s logo for many years, though I\u2019m not sure when it was eventually changed, and although I wish I could find it now, it might be lost forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast forward to 1997, when I turned 18 and moved to Stockholm to study at a Folkh\u00f6gskola<\/em> (similar to a community college). I studied \u201cMedia,\u201d which covered a broad range of subjects, from photography and video production to journalism and graphic design. Living on campus, we had access to a computer lab with internet\u2014a rarity in the mid-90s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One day, we had a full-day crash course in Adobe software, and I was instantly hooked. I spent my evenings teaching myself Photoshop and Illustrator, experimenting late into the night.<\/em> Soon, I started designing logos, websites, and mixtape covers for friends in the music scene, some of whom later landed record deals. That was when I began to turn my sort of \u201cnewfound passion\u201d for graphic design into a career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span>When creating a new brush or graphic pack, where does your creative process usually start? What inspires you?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My creative process typically begins with designing something I\u2019d love to use myself or exploring a concept that feels fresh. Before founding G.A.R.M. Co., I was teaching illustration and branding courses, and one of the most frequently asked questions was about color palettes. That inspired the creation of our Colorama Color Kit series.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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I also keep an eye on popular products from competitors, finding ways to reinterpret them with our own unique twist, ensuring our offerings feel distinct without crossing into imitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span>Are there specific eras you draw inspiration from? How do you reconnect with those retro aesthetics?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a tricky one\u2014I\u2019m constantly inspired by different historical design periods. I\u2019m drawn to everything from the elegance of the Victorian era to the bold lines of mid-century modern, and the nostalgia of the 80s and 90s.<\/em> These influences shape the overall aesthetic of G.A.R.M. Co., which launched on October 15, 2020, just before Halloween, adding a slightly eerie vibe to our brand. I\u2019m also a huge horror fan, and that love of the genre definitely seeps into our products, giving them a distinct and consistent theme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by G.A.R.M. Company (@garmcom)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n