The Newcomer: An Intervew with Spencer Nikosey of KILLSPENCER

The creative process for Spencer Nikosey is a collaborative one that takes place with a team that’s very close to home.

Spencer is the creator of men’s bag line, KILLSPENCER, and his first collections have garnered a lot of attention recently with an immediately recognizable military-inspired design. His practices are innovative for intercepting what would be discarded used military equipment and re-uses the fabrics and materials for the manufacturing of his bags. The result is a product that is chic, masculine, and durable by military specifications.

These concepts all require a screening process from a personal team that he values: his family. Mom and Dad are integral parts of the process, and that involvement started in the years of his youth. His family since those skateboard and drumstick-toting days has extended to a talented bunch of close friends.

Spencer is a very inspired newcomer, and his path to developing the brand is set to a very steady and assured beat.

Thank you for allowing us to conduct this interview Spencer. Our readers will appreciate what you have to share with us. To start off, tell us a bit about yourself. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley, about 45 minutes outside of Los Angeles, in an equestrian community called Bell Canyon. I spent a lot of time outdoors.

So how would did your family, teachers and/or mentors foster your artistic creativity during your youth? Did your surroundings play a role?

Both of my parents are graphic designers, and my grandfather was television’s Mr. Wizard. I had a lot of support when it came to art, music, and sports. Whatever I wanted to learn or try, they were more than encouraging. When I started skateboarding in 5th grade, I remember my friend David and me taking our decks out to my dad’s studio, sanding them down, and repainting them with our own designs. Another time during high school, my band was ready to make t-shirts, so I designed the logo, and my dad and I set up a screen printing operation in our garage and hand printed 100 shirts front and back.

When did you realize this creative potential and did it automatically make sense for you to pursue a formal training ground i.e. university to take it to the next step?

I did my first logo for a sushi restaurant when I was fourteen, making $200. It was my first paying job. The restaurant failed, but my passion for creating was at its height. Not long after that I took it to the next step. I did all the artwork for my band and my friends’ bands – all the CD art, t-shirts, stickers, etc. Those experiences led to a genuine interest in graphic design. At the same time, I also realized that I had a natural ability to invent. I invented things all the time related to my hobbies: skateboarding, dirt jumping, BMX racing, golf, transportation design and drumming. So college was next. After a year of Graphic Design at California College of the Arts, I became interested in Product Design, where I then decided to transfer to Art Center College of Design. Just 4 months ago, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Product Design.

Was there any hesitation or perhaps other callings for another profession before committing to bag design? This is the set-up to the ever-popular question: What would you be doing if not a men’s bag designer?

Oh yeah. I have been playing the drums seriously since I was eleven. I studied the Gruber Method, a drum theory dedicated to complete limb independence, which gives you the technical freedom to play just about anything. This was my deepest passion, and still is. Design is cool because there’s a delayed gratification of spending a lot of time crafting an idea, reworking it, and making a final product. Music is the opposite, especially improvisation. The immediate rush and energy, which only happens once, is what makes music what it is all about.

Take us briefly through your professional background. Where have you worked before launching your own company?

I launched my business straight out of school. While in school, I had the opportunity to intern for some great people. Scott Robertson (Design Studio Press) is where I got my first work experience. I spent so much time observing and picking his mind on the business of design and watched him build his business from the start. It was a great time. After that, I worked at an ad agency in Hollywood called BLT as a sketch artist designing movie posters. After that, I worked for the largest independent animation studio in the Valley called Mike Young Productions. I designed a bunch of stuff for them, including their new TV network logo, Kabillion, which is its own channel on Comcast. I also learned a lot when I worked for Brady Caverly at Alchemy Worldwide LLC, understanding mass production and infomercials. I also had a chance to freelance product development at IdeaLab in Pasadena, and furniture design at BlueLounge in Pasadena.

As for KILLSPENCER bags, how did the military-inspired design come into the collections? Is it a goal for you to refine this aesthetic or can we expect to see collections that take a different style direction?

I wanted to develop a completely durable waterproof backpack, but wanted something that was completely unique and had a story behind it. When I found out that there were more sustainable and creative materials out there that most designers don’t typically go to for material choice, I knew immediately I was onto something. With the truck tarp, I found a high performance repurposed alternative. There wasn’t a solution available with this kind of nostalgia and history. I researched that in combat, when a military truck tarp is damaged and no longer useful to the military, it gets sent to a landfill. I intercept the material and use it to make products. I am stoked about the durability, concept and aesthetic of the material. It’s authentic, has a life of its own, and it’s an artifact of our time. Right now, I am focusing on this aesthetic and concept, and I will give it time to develop and mature. There’s still a lot I want to accomplish with this direction before I start something different.

We can certainly appreciate that you are incorporating sustainable materials into your bag collections. Describe these practices for our readers. What materials and/or practices are involved in the making of KILLSPENCER bags?

A lot of products get used for a short period of time, and they are essentially designed to be replaced. My goal with KILLSPENCER is to design products that are intended to function forever. To me, there is nothing more sustainable than that. I am using an assortment of military spec components, from 4000 lb. test mil spec 1.75” webbing to patented cobra buckles used for jumping out of airplanes. The goal is to take high concept materials that are sustainable, repurposed and to reuse them. I want to give them a new life, meaning and form. Another thing that a lot of people don’t know is that I design and hand sew every sample in my studio and manufacture everything here in Los Angeles, 9 miles away from my studio. It’s really great to be able to oversee manufacturing. This is a great freedom.

Please explain your favorite sources of inspiration for the creative process whether that’s other designers, travel, sport, media outlets, hobbies, etc.

I am in love with a few things that keep me on the ball. One is Hype Machine. There’s a lot of great music on there that keeps me going musically. Also, Audible.com allows me to download and listen to books while I work. It’s great to be able to get through a book or two a week while you are in the flow of working. Sometimes I get through a book before lunch. The most inspiring authors as of late include Seth Godin, Ovid, and Robert Greene. I’ve read this book, 100 Great Business and the Minds Behind Them, over and over.

As far as designers, I am always inspired by Bobby Chang. He created InCase and has become my good friend and mentor. His way of thinking always challenges me to open my eyes and create. The reason why I bought a sewing machine was because of his advice. Originally, I was under the impression, like most product designers, that I would design the tech packs and send out the design to be made. Well, that doesn’t quite work that effectively. So, thanks to Bobby, I can make just about anything now.

Another friend and designer I’m inspired by is Dustin Arnold. He not only graduate a few years before I did, but he came back and taught a couple of terms. To have a professor the same age as me, drove me to work even harder at my craft. His work is so detailed, powerful, thoughtful and original.

What is your mission statement for KILLSPENCER?

To create premium artifacts, handcrafted in Los Angeles by a master, using the best materials and parts found. The most important aspect is function. The design ideas are innovative, simple and must be executed at high-level standards.

It must be taxing to run a company. That’s why it’s so important to have a reliable team to help in your efforts. Can you introduce us to some of your team?

I am fortunate to have a lot of super talented friends and family, who helped make this brand what it is. First and foremost is my girlfriend, Deepika Chopra, who comes from a business and psychology background. She handles the business side of things. She is the smartest person I know. My parents are always there to help out which I’m finding is a rare and special thing. They are dope. When I need photography done, Kevin Ou is there for me. Film is by Lex Halaby, and music creation and production is done by Tyler Burton (VXTOR). My friend, Shant, came through during some tough times as well.

Blogs and online magazines present so many opportunities for designers to market their brand. There has been a wave of positive feedback from the online community about your collection. Now that there is this momentum, how do you move forward with brand development for KILLSPENCER?

I’m so fortunate for all the positive (and negative) feedback. The best part is getting in touch with customers, which has enabled me to respond to their needs and desires, and then I can take action towards it. One thing that has evolved is KILLSPENCER Bespoke. I work with special clients to design and develop premium custom projects under the KILLSPENCER label. I am continuing to develop and expand the current KILLSPENCER product offering at my own pace.