Inside Information Special: Design Confederacy
Meet the order of the eclectic

Meet Design Confederacy, a small army of savage British insurgents intent on storming the world of art and design with the irrational, the individual and the underground. Our guest has reminded me that the artwork speaks from itself, so no flowery introductions or ‘expert’ interpretations from me for this month’s column. Instead I’ll let Confederate General Joseph Salerno do the talking…give the man a rebel yell.

“I’ve always drawn” Begins Joe. “Once you know you’re okay at something, you try and do the best you can. I had learning difficulties and when it comes to maths I’m a few steps away from being retarded, so art seemed the only way to go. It was either that or work on building sites moving pallets of plasterboard, wood and big fucking bricks. I got an unconditional place on a foundation course and from there I went to do a BA at the London College of Printing”

so who the hell are ‘these here confederates’ and why do they exist?

“There are about six core members of DC, and then another six in other parts of the country, myself, Nick Warden, Phil Adams and Nigel Sims. We do most of the video based work, and then when it comes to the writing and ideas there’s us again, plus Tom Davies, and Abi Phillips. Most of the artwork and illustration is down to me though. All of our promotional photography is done by Rhys Himsworth who is an artist in his own right, and works alone. We have a music division in London, and a propaganda division in Cardiff. We’re like a time waster’s army”

when they’re no deviously hijacking the pages of national publications with clever pictures (What cheek! They’re even doing it now!) DC are involved in everything from graphic design, film production, weapon making , photography and music videos.

“We’ve done music videos and promotional work for lots of bands and solo artists over the past couple of years. Eyehategod, Scout Niblett, The Fall of Troy, Hawg Jaw, Paul Draper, Outlaw Order to name a few. We’ve also designed work to go to print in various magazines such as Dazed and Confused, Design Week, Graphics International, Creative Review, and The Face. If it’ll work, then we’ll do it”

Also the creators of the kvlt film Legalize Murder, the lingering taint of extreme music plays a part in much of DC’s work. Joe explains his fascination and frequent references to the black metal genre:

“It’s what inspires most of my work. I got into black metal from reading an article on Norwegian Black Metal Circle in Fortean Times back in ’93. I remember thinking, ‘Where can I listen to these psychos?!’ It felt like a proper musical movement. Like punk, it had a message and a social intent. Nick Warden is the only other DC member who digs BM. Phil (Adams) has time for some doom, stoner and maybe some sludge metal at a push, but we’re all pretty different when it comes to music”

anything else to add? “Yeah” Says Joe “If you create anything, keep yourself grounded, don’t get clogged up your own arse, and talk about your work in a way that isolates it from the people outside of the art and design community. That’s something that really pisses me off about the industry. On one hand, you’ll get artists, illustrators or designers talking about how the want to do work with social value that speaks to everyone. When they finally start talking about the work itself, they spout a load of long-winded bullshit, rather than just saying it means whatever you want it to mean”