Charity Christmas Card Competition

mayamada September 29, 2014 No Comments

Aid For Japan are a charity that provides long-term support for children orphaned by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent Tsunami in 2011.

To provide support for the cause, we are holding a Christmas card design competition and calling on you to create your own mayamada inspired Christmas card.

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The winning design will be turned into an official mayamada Christmas card and made available for sale at November’s Hyper Japan event where 100% of the profits will be donated to Aid For Japan.

That lucky winner will also receive 25 copies of their original design to send to family and friends this Christmas.

Plus, the top 3 designs will also receive a copy of the brand new combined volume 1 & 2 Samurai Chef manga book!

Check out the competition page for more details, we can’t wait to see what you create!

Illustrators: What Does Creativity Mean To You?

mayamada September 28, 2014 1 Comment

We believe in promoting and inspiring creativity through our fashion and original characters, but we also want to know what you think about creativity.

That’s why we’re talking to other creators about the subject and putting up the responses right here on our blog.

We contacted a great group of cartoonists and illustrators to ask what creativity means to them and get an insight into their creative process. Take a look at their responses…

 

KC Green

GunshowWho are you and what do you do?

My name is KC Green and I currently make and write comics by myself and with a friend. I do the comic Gunshow, write for the comic BACK, and am currently working on an adaptation of the original Pinocchio story.

What does creativity mean to you?

It means trying something you think is different and always being bored so you think of something new.

Describe your creative process

I make myself write in a text document and keep writing and then go back later and find anything funny in there or something that might spark a bigger idea and write on that. I also sometimes have a fully formed joke in my head so I just quickly write that down in the text document.

When are you at your most creative?

When I’m mad but not brooding. Like when you’re just laughing at how insanely awful something or someone is. It’s like on the brink of wanting to give up, of madness, so things just open up and you laugh and I like writing or tweeting when I’m in that mood. It can be kind of destructive too, but I can’t deny that it’s fun when it can be.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

I don’t have one person who is most creative because all my friends and people I admire are creative and weird in certain ways that others or myself aren’t. I always see bits of things I think are amazing and hilarious in everyone I follow or read, even if they always don’t. Everyone is the most creative person in the world.

Twitter: @kcgreenn

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Bill Barnes

Not Invented Here

Who are you and what do you do?

Artist and co-writer of Unshelved, writer of Not Invented Here.

What does creativity mean to you?

I simply am compelled to make things: software, jokes, comics strips, songs, Lego spaceships…I can never go long without creating. For me, at least, it’s a fundamental drive.

Describe your creative process.

I most often begin writing a comic strip by starting a conversation between characters. I very seldom know how it’s going to end. the funny bit just comes to me.

When are you at your most creative?

When I’m far ahead of all me scheduled obligations. I can make stuff when under deadline, but it’s hard for me to think big and expansively when I’m in survival mode.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

I deeply admire many creators. Currently I’m renewing my love affair with giant-brained author Neal Stephenson. My teenage son recently became old enough to appreciate his books, and so I’m reading them (again). I am always astonished at how good science fiction can inform me about the world I live in.

Twitter: @billba

 

Chie Kutsuwada

Chie KutsuwadaWho are you and what do you do?

My name is Chie Kutsuwada and I am a professional manga artist/illustrator.

What does creativity mean to you?

My creativity helps me to digest the reality and also it boosts my communication/social skill.

Describe your creative process?

I don’t think I have a particular process. I make sure I can get a lot of interesting inputs and always let my imagination go wild, but never forget to make notes. I need a lot of thinking time but when I get something, I speed up in creation tremendously.

When are you at your most creative?

On a public transport or while taking a shower.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

My farther. He’s a professional writer/columnist and he’s been writing nice little pieces regularly and continuously more than 40 years. That’s something.

Twitter: @chitanchitan

 

Inko

Go! Go! Metro!Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Japanese manga artist now living & working in UK. I produce manga strips and illustrations.

What does creativity mean to you?

Throwing questions to the world.

Describe your creative process?

Research & study of whatever a subject beforehand, then let imagination go free. Then cut out any unnecessary parts, finally execute carefully.

When are you at your most creative?

On a train, in a plane, and in a bath.

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

Rumiko Takahashi (creator of Inu Yahsa, Ranma) She’s always at a new project and her influence on Japanese comedy, horror, suspense, love romance, SiFi manga is incredible.

Facebook: facebook.com/InkoDokotei

 

Pinali

Samurai ChefWho are you and what do you do?

I go by the artist name Pinali and, as you may have guessed, I’m an artist. A comic book artist, more specifically, though I also do illustration, character design, and some graphic design. Demand for comics is a lot higher at the moment, though.

What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity means the ability to think of something that doesn’t already exist and have an inescapable drive to make it exist.

Describe your creative process?

Since my job involves taking scripts written by other people and translating them into comic form, I’m not actually the one coming up with the base ideas – something I’m pretty thankful for, because I’m terrible at coming up with ideas for plots, characters, dialogue etc by myself. I’m just not that type of creative.

Usually I read the script a bit like it’s the script for a movie or TV show; shots and camera angles will pop up in my head as I read, and I pick the ones that will work best for comic panels. During the actual drawing process, it’s a 50/50 split between technical skill, and intuition.

There’s a lot of intuition in my process, which makes it really difficult to describe: “I don’t know, it just feels right.” I guess that’s how I would describe it. I just do what feels right. If it feels off, I erase and start again until it feels right.

When are you at your most creative?

When there’s no pressure. I tend to be at my most creative when I’m just messing around; drawing goofy things to make my partner or friends laugh, most of the time.

That’s when I really just start drawing in order to share imagery from my mind; it’s another form of communication for me.

I could spend 5 minutes trying to describe it and know that what’s in people’s heads is still probably a bit different from what was in my own… or I could draw it in 2 minutes and know that they are seeing exactly what I wanted to communicate.

Sometimes I come up with absolutely ridiculous, hilarious concepts when I’m with other creative people. I wish I had more spare time to draw them!

Who is the most creative person to you and why?

I think there’s so many creative people in the world that it’s impossible to quantify – like, creativity isn’t a thing you can measure quantities of to compare individuals.

I think everyone is capable of being really creative in some way, it’s just that the area in which someone can be creative is different for each person. So it’s hard to compare.

I’ll just go with some people whose creativity astounds me because I’m not the same “type” of creative: Neil Gaiman, George R R Martin, Philip Pullman. Anyone who can create a world that’s rich and complete despite that world being fictional; that’s incredible to me.

I’ve tried to come up with fantasy worlds and I just draw blanks, so I have the utmost respect for anyone who can do it, and do it convincingly, seamlessly. I guess I’m just more of an artist than a world builder; which is fine! They’re just two different types of creative.

Twitter: @Pinalinet

Tumblr: pinalinet.tumblr.com

Kickstarter Comic Book

mayamada September 27, 2014 No Comments

Aaaand we’re back! Our first attempt to kick start Samurai Chef Volume 2 fell short of its goal but that didn’t stop us from progressing. We have begun making the comic and have now launched a new Kickstarter for the combined Samurai Chef Volume 1 & 2 comic book.

Our goal is to raise funds to print the combined edition of Samurai Chef containing volumes 1 and 2. This 150 page book will be released in November 2014.

Samurai Chef Kickstarter

The first and second volumes will be combined into a single book, so even if you missed it the first time around you won’t be left out. We’re creating original manga and if you can get involved and contribute to the Kickstarter right now.

Mega Ran @ Brixton Hootenanny

mayamada September 15, 2014 No Comments

After missing him at Alcon we finally caught up with video game inspired hip-hop artist Mega Ran at the last stop of his UK / Europe tour.

It was great to hear more of his story. From how he started using video game influences in his music and caught the attention of Capcom, to how he used to be a school teacher in Philadelphia before his music took off!

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The highlight of the show was the freestyle Mega Ran did on stage, taking random objects from the crowd and coming up with lyrics off the top of his head. Amazing!

Tony Goff: Music & Creativity

mayamada September 14, 2014 No Comments

Earlier in the summer we met up with indie musician Tony Goff to ask him about his music and what creativity means to him.

Meeting Mega Ran

Nigel September 10, 2014 No Comments

While at Alcon this weekend I ran into hip-hop artist Mega Ran…though I have to admit I didn’t know who he was when he picked up a Samurai beanie hat from us!

Combining video games, hip-hop, soul and jazz is cool enough but even more interesting, he used to be a middle school teacher in Philadelphia. Being an engineer turned clothing brand owner I can appreciate the sudden turn in career path.

Check out his post-Alcon video to initiate yourself, and see if you can spot our Samurai beanie along the way.

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British GQ Magazine

mayamada September 8, 2014 No Comments

We’re so excited to see our new Samurai Snapbacks in the October 2014 issue of British GQ Magazine!

Look out for the cover with Pharrell Willams on and pick up a copy for a special promotional code.

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A Lesson In Perseverance

mayamada August 31, 2014 No Comments

When it comes to photoshoots, this summer has been a real lesson in perseverance.

We recently wrapped up our third and final shoot of the summer. One more than we intended and counting two abandoned attempts due to weather, it’s safe to say things did not go to plan!

The past few month have been a good reminder that when you make plans you can expect them to change, or even scrapped altogether  (if the weather is bad enough).

Keep in mind that it’s not about trying to keep your plans from changing, but how to adapt when they do change. Adapt and keep pushing forward.

For us it meant rescheduling multiple photoshoots to get the photos we needed for our shop and lookbook, but it could be dinner with friends, a business project or that big event.

Whatever the plans, stay flexible and don’t get too discouraged if things don’t go smoothly. Oh and it helps to have a good group of people around to support should things don’t go according to plan.

Now, enjoy a few behind the scenes shot from our last shoot of the summer while we put together our plans for the rest of 2014…

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How To Create Your Own Manga

mayamada August 26, 2014 No Comments

“How do I create my own manga?” is a question we’ve come across several times at the different conventions we’ve been to.  There are so many people looking to create their own manga and for good reason.  With all the tools, tutorials and platforms available today, it’s much more feasible to create your own manga story and get it out into the world.

Since the release of Samurai Chef Volume 1, we’ve created Samurai Chef Origins and are working on our next manga comics for 11th Hour and Hot Lunch which will be released in 2015.

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Next month we’ll be at Leicester’s Anime and Gaming Convention where we will host a panel on how to publish your own manga.    We’ll be giving tips and advice on putting together your own manga story, plus some insight into how we create our own.

And after the show, we’ll put all the information here on our blog for everyone to check out whenever they like.  Come and see us at the event next month or stay tuned to our blog for more details soon.

 

Eargasm At Dalston Roof Park

mayamada August 12, 2014 No Comments

We’re excited to be a part of the upcoming Eargasm event at Dalston Roof Park on Wednesday August 27th.

It’ll be a night of fashion and music supporting up and coming local artists under one roof (figuratively speaking).

You can catch us throughout the night with a selection of products on sale including our new line of Samurai snapbacks and beanie hats.

See you there 🙂

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