Definitive album covers, striking illustrations and prints, an entire arsenal of self-produced fonts plus breaking into the realms of video production – as one of the UK’s finest creatives, Mitchy Bwoy’s impressive visual legacy brims with artistic exuberance and creative intuition. Producing artwork for the likes of Ziggy Marley, Chase & Status, Nitin Sawhney, Amp Fiddler and working alongside Banksy, Mode 2 and Swifty, Mitchy’s arresting imagery and approach to design played an integral role in the development of the UK’s record sleeve design scene and club promotion culture. Brainer recently caught up with the artist to discuss some of the defining moments of his foray into the creative industries.

Tell us a little bit about your creative background, how got into design and what inspired you to pursue that path.
Thanks to my parents, art has always been a major part of my life. I was never pushed in any specific direction as a youngster and actually ended up on a biology degree after my A Levels. This was a turning point and helped me realise that art was more important to me than anything else. After completing my first year of biology I switched to art college. Although I love fine art, it’s perhaps a scientific way of thinking that ultimately steered me towards design.

I still look at design as a kind of ‘emotive visual science’. Working at Swifty’s Studio Babylon during the final year of my design degree was another major stage in my development. Essentially this was a baptism of fire – the studio was buzzing with creativity. Designing layouts and type for Straight no Chaser magazine gave me a chance to express my own voice and working alongside people like Fred Deakin, Mode 2 (and of course Swifty) was an invaluable experience. After a short while I had all my own clients and was churning out event flyers and record covers like some kind of design automaton!

With an influx of burgeoning creative talent at the moment, how do you manage to keep your style and approach to design fresh. What do you feel makes a Mitchy Bwoy creation stand out from the pack?
I learn something new every day and try to invent my own design trends. Perhaps my work has an emotional aspect that others may lack? I care very deeply about the quality of my work – hopefully this is evident in the final product. It’s important to stay humble and realise that you’re doing this for a client, not for yourself – suffering from delusions of grandeur does not a powerful Jedi make!

Page 1 visuals: Chase & Status picture discs.