We are very excited to welcome Nathan Johnson to the Hunting for George Meet the Maker series. Together with his wife Jaynie, Nathan founded Blacklist back in 2008. Born from casual beginnings, Nathan and Jaynie have seen Blacklist swell with popularity each and every year with Nathan’s design aesthetic the driving force behind it’s success.
To meet Nathan and Jaynie in person is like being catapulted into one of their artworks. The love they share is inspiring and their wistful approach to life is absolute. This honesty and authenticity is what makes Blacklist designs so beautiful. With each design there is a new message tugging on your heart strings or niggling that little part inside of you to do more, see more, create more and get more out of life.
This is just the beginning for Nathan and Jaynie and we’re stoked to offer you guys a front row seat. We took some time out with Nathan Johnson to give you a closer look at the man behind the type…
Name: Nathan Johnson
Brand: Blacklist
Job Title: Co-founder
Location: Sydney
Instagram @blackliststudio
1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be in a rock band when I was 8 or 9. My Dad made me a guitar out of plywood and string which was pretty awesome, and I painted it with fluoro Poska pens.
2. When and what was the moment that prompted you to start your own brand?
It happened quite by accident. A friend who worked at a magazine suggested I design some paper prints for a Valentine’s Day special they were doing back in 2008. It was featured in the mag and I sold a couple and that kind of started Blacklist as a company that designed products as well as working on design work for other clients.
3. In 3 words, describe your occupation.
Artist, creator, maker
4. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I feel like I’ve heard so many great pieces of advice and I try to take them all on board. The one that stands out to me is probably from my wife Jaynie who is always encouraging me to just design what I want to design, not follow trends or look at what others are doing.
5. What is your favourite creative outlet to get the ideas rolling?
Surfing for sure. Nothing more rewarding or inspiring than being in the ocean.
6. Where do you see yourself and the brand in 10 years time?
Hopefully still doing what we love and creating what we want to create. There are the obvious plans of expanding our product lines and venturing into new markets which we will do, but I think at the end of it all if we can keep creating honest work and being true to ourselves, then that would be pretty awesome.
7. What was the last rule you broke?
Blue and green should never be seen. So crazy.
8. Do you have any hidden talents?
I can’t whistle.
9. What was the last movie you saw and was it any good?
I saw Mad Max which was pretty cool cause my older brother worked on it in Africa for 6 months.
Blacklist studio featuring XO Set in Rose Gold, Crazy Beautiful and Free print.
Blacklist 2016 Diaries in Navy and Grey
Nice View and Free print from the new collection
Blacklist loves Leon Bridges
“This is a playlist of Leon Bridges. He’ll change your life.”
Nathan Johnson
