GQ USA – May 2017

THE

SIMPLEST

MOVE

• Swap out your floppy neoprene mouse pad for this leather
  one from Grovemade ($99), and then your Bic for this pen
  from Baron Fig ($55). Ditch the stapler (the one that looks so...
  stapler-y) and pick one up from Romeo Maestri ($25)—it’s
  almost sculptural. The next level: a 12-pack of pencils from
  Public-Supply, matte black paper clips, and deep gray sticky notes.

Upgrade the Seemingly Un-Upgradable

Keep Your

Heroes Close

“Milton Glaser did

this poster for the

inside sleeve of

one of Bob Dylan’s

records. And it’s

one of the seminal

pieces of graphic

design that defines

the 20th century.

He signed it for

me, which is just

pretty incredible.”

Go Back in Time

“This is the Back to the Future

hoverboard. Childhood artifacts

can help you get in touch with a

sense of wonder, which really does

solve a lot of problems in our work.”

Make Your “Tools” Accessible

“You know, my grandfather had a shop in

his garage. And I think every tool that’s ever

been fashioned was there. As I’m looking

behind me and I’m looking at this wall, the

density of it, it’s not a far cry—it was just

covered. And I remember thinking, He’s got

everything that he needs here to create.”

Start Conversations

“The ‘On Air’ sign was from a recording

studio in New York City where the Rolling

Stones recorded.”

Rock Out

(Or at Least Look

Like You Could)

Mattson’s bookshelf

speakers from

Penaudio are design

objects that happen

to put out high-

quality sound.

76 GQ.COM MAY 2017

GQINTELLIGENCE THEWORKINGMAN

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY OF JOSH ELLIOTT; MATT MARTIN; TRAVIS RATHBONE

SPACES WE ENVY

3 OF 3

The Designed Bookshelf

• Uninspiring setting? Uninspired work. Ty Mattson
  of Mattson Creative in Irvine, California, says it’s
  easier to summon ideas if you’re surrounded by them.
  (And don’t worry if your inspiration isn’t as cool
  as his—or if your shelves are way, way more modest.)