Paul Balfe

1. At what point did you decide the artist and design life was for you?

I used to obsess over surf and skate graphics and punk rock album covers as a kid and just covered every board I had with every logo I thought was cool at the time. I always thought working for a brand would be the coolest thing ever. It wasn't until my 20s when I was working for Morrison Media on magazine titles like Surfing Life, Riptide, Slam, FreeRider and White Horses that I got a taste for graphic design or even realised you could earn a living out of it. I started designing ads for some of the companies whose account I managed and it wasn't long before I fell in love with the craft.

2. Do you think you have a design style and how do you think it developed?

I don't think I have a style but I've been told that I do. If I did, I would say it's a bit more clean and simple than most. I would say it's only developed this way maybe because of the lack of drawing skills as I started my career later than most. I'd do more if I could! haha

3. Of all the tools and software available in creative industry, what couldn’t you work without?

I can't work on anything but a 27 inch screen these days and I couldn't create much without Adobe Creative Cloud. They are definitely my staples!

4. What work have you done that you rate as your best work to date? (be sure to add a link if you have one!)

I'd have to say Santa Cruz Cerveza, mainly because I got to design and develop the brand with my brother who isn't creative at all. It was awesome to go through the process and collaborate with him and arrive at something we are both proud of and is timeless. https://www.pennybridge.com.au/project/santa-cruz

5. What was the inspiration for your MVRK design(/s)?

I like simple patterns on boardies so I wanted to create something that was a bit tropical but could also be worn in different settings.

6. If you could see any design on a pair of boardshorts, what would it be?

I'd love to see a pattern with the Guinness Toucan would be classic. Always found it to be the biggest juxtaposition of branding and this would just add to it.

7. If you could see anyone rocking your MVRK boardies, who would it be?

One of my peers I think. To have another designer I respect rocking them would be awesome. Either that or just seeing them in the wild.

8. Boardshorts at weddings have been a thing, what's the weirdest boardies combo you've ever seen?

I don't think you can go past a suit and boardies. It's like a mullet wrapped up in a dress code (business up top, party on the bottom)

9. Of all the places, clients, mediums and locations in the world; where would you love to see your work shown?

I'm a massive fan of packaging design so seeing my designs on a beer I love like Guinness or a whiskey like Jameson would be awesome. To be able to do the advertising collateral for it and see it somewhere like Time Square or at a big Rugby match would be ace as well.

10. Where can people find you?

@pennybridge.studio @balfe_wiggum