Martin Wong interview
- Giant Robot
Interview conducted by: Duane Fernandez
For LFP.com featured designer / artist series
www.giantrobot.com

Who is Martin Wong?

There are a bunch of Martin Wongs out there. One was an artist in San Francisco who painted kissing firemen. He was influenced by graffiti, hieroglyphics, and Bruce Lee. Then there's this guy in New York who used to design ties. I'm not sure what happened to him, but his ties haven't really aged well. And then my friend Daniel Wu has a cousin named Martin Wong. I think he's an accountant or something. Me? I'm the one who spends all day pursuing, documenting, and pushing aspects of culture that I dig.

What did Martin Wong want to be when he was a kid?

When my kindergarten teacher asked this, my answer was, "Santa's helper."
When I was old enough to know better, I wanted to be a paramedic. I really dug the TV show, Emergency!

You wake up one morning and you have all the power over the media. What would you do with it?

I wouldn't change a thing. Sure, there's a lot of bullshit out there, but people should watch whatever they want--even if it's crap. I guess it would be nice if the crap had more ethics though.

Where do you find inspiration?

Where do you not find it? People are surrounded by neat stuff all the time and don't even know it. After you notice one thing, it typically leads to others.

Five people or things that influence you?

Society - How fast I drive, etc.
Food - The shape of my poop, smell of my farts.
Weather - How I entertain myself (skateboard or snowboard).
Internet - I don't have it at home--a curse and a blessing.
Friends and family - Support and belief.

What do you think of Robots?

Asian robots that are the size of skyscrapers, shoot missiles out of their fingers, and combine into even larger robots: cool. Western robots that are the size of humans, walk funny, and talk with mono-syllabic voices:
not cool.

How do you define success?

Doing what you want and believing in what you do, hopefully having a positive impact on the people around you.

How long have you been doing what you're doing?

I've been working on Giant Robot since the beginning in 1994. That's longer than I've had any job, gone to any school, or lived in any location.

Throughout the years, what did you have to learn the hard way?

I went through many exes before meeting the woman that I married.

Best part of your job?

Working with friends and surrounding myself with culture that I appreciate every single day. Even if it weren't my job, I'd still do it.

What is your favorite color?

I like blue because it reminds me of clear skies and cool water. Man, that makes me sound like a hippy. Blue because that's the color of my bruises when I eat it on a skateboard.

Advice - something, anything that everyone should know about life..

The world isn't nearly as bad as everyone says it is.

What's the worst interview question you have ever been asked?

"What is your biggest weakness?"

And if you don't mind, what's the answer?

In my last job, I tried to do too much. I shouldn't have taken every assignment and been a better delegator.

Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

Driving a space rover on Mars, cranking up the oldies (The Clash, J Church, Fugazi, David Bowie, Sleater-Kinney, old rocksteady songs...).

Thats rad, is there anything else you would like to add?

Nothing to add. I just appreciate your involving me in the project.

You mentioned skateboarding a few moments ago, what kind of set up do you have? Do you use spacers? I do. I'm ancient.

Girl deck, Brian Anderson, I think
Destructo trucks
Powell skatepark wheels
GMN bearings
Thin spacer, maybe Dooks? I can't remember.
Solid generic grip-tape with a thin line in front of the rear trucks

I'm looking for a new deck now... Maybe a Baker Neckface design?

Martin, thank you for all your help - you and Eric have been nothing but supportive. (If you didn't get the Winter LFP Zine, we may have a few laying around the office for you - e-mail us. It has a great interview with Eric Nakamura.) Now run out and pick up the current issue of Giant Robot Magazine. It's one of the finest publications out there...