Scratching the Surface 189. Todd Oldham
May 26, 2021
Todd Oldham, a multidisciplinary designer and author, shares his creative journey rooted in a vibrant upbringing. He recalls early inspirations from museum visits and a love for color and typography. Transitioning from fashion to book publishing, he highlights the importance of celebrating subjects while maintaining an 'invisible' curatorial approach. Todd’s latest projects include an Alexander Girard book and a kids' crafting collaboration. His passion for design and storytelling shines through, revealing a historian's perspective on his subjects.
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Formative Creative Childhood
- Todd describes a childhood steeped in making, museum visits, and learning from his parents and grandmother.
- He credits moving to Tehran at 12 and hands-on family projects for shaping his creative freedom.
Design Lessons From Boxes And Print
- Todd learned design by studying everyday printed matter like box registration marks and supermarket inserts.
- That tactile fascination with color and printing seeded his lifelong interest in graphic systems.
From Sewing Machines To Fashion Fame
- Todd recounts learning sewing from his grandmother on a retrofitted treadle machine and making clothes, lamps, and forts.
- Fashion became his visible career because it provoked strong public reactions and sold quickly in the right moment.
