MATT CRUMP - THE CANDY-COLORED MINIMALIST
THE CANDY-COLORED MINIMALIST
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK?
I created the candy-colored minimalist movement and its accompanying hashtag #candyminimal.
WHAT DOES YOUR ART/ PHOTOGRAPHY FOCUS ON?
Minimalism and candy colors are the only criteria guiding my artwork. However, certain themes have arisen over the past year, including architecture, signage, theme parks, palm trees, landscapes and seascapes.
WHAT TRIGGERS YOUR IMAGINATION?
Strange shapes, clear skies, bright colors, summertime and wind turbines.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
Currently based in Texas but moving to Los Angeles after the holidays.
WHEN DID YOU JOIN INSTAGRAM?
February 2011.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU POST?
Once a day.
HOW DID INSTAGRAM MAKE YOUR WORK EVOLVE?
My work didn’t start evolving until the beginning of 2013. I became obsessed with minimalism on Instagram and tried doing it myself, slowly learning how to compose and edit minimal photos. Still,
my work didn’t seem a breakthrough or different, so I began experimenting with color. Only then did people take notice of my work. Since nobody was really playing in this candy-colored minimalist arena yet, I branded it with the hashtag #candyminimal, effectively open-sourcing my style. To date, users from around the world have tagged 30,000 of their own #candyminimal photos. Instagram found me and made me a Suggested User, growing my following to over 50,000. Having a large audience is sort of a quality control — it forces me to post consistently and to keep my work fresh by trying new things. The opportunities offered by big brands also help me grow as an artist, since I get budgets that I normally don’t have for my day-to-day posts.
The popularity of the movement has allowed me to quit my job and focus on the brand and my art full-time.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE YOU WORKED WITH?
Target, TOMS, Whole Foods, BuzzFeed, McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Samsung Mobile, Qatar Airways, and George Clooney’s Casamigos Tequila.
WHAT ACCOUNT DO YOU FOLLOW RELIGIOUSLY?
@clarenicolson. Her colors and designs are as close to perfection as one can get.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST LIKED ARTWORK/ PHOTO?
My most-liked artwork is an experimental video I posted when Instagram first announced video. Somehow, the video made it to the popular page, getting it over 3,000 likes and also a lot of hate.
WHAT ARE YOUR LATEST OR FUTURE PROJECTS/ COLLABORATIONS?
I partnered with Target to take over their Instagram for a week during the holidays as part of their #designCRUSH series. I created five #candyminimal photos composed of different products found in Target stores, getting their account over 50,000 new likes.
HOW CAN SOMEONE REACH YOU?
matt@mattcrump.com