Brooklyn Whelan is the kind of creative who doesn't need to explain himself. An industry heavyweight with a body of work that spans graphic design, painting and everything in between, with a reputation built the way it should be - through craft, consistency and real world connections.
We've known Brooklyn since our early Bondi days, back when Zeb was just getting AS Colour off the ground and Brooklyn was building Running with Thieves. It was that kind of friendship that forms when you're both just making cool shit, pushing boundaries and figuring it out as you go. We’ve stayed connected over the years, so having Brooklyn design the Zeb Aitken Advisory logo last year was a pretty special full circle moment for all of us.
We had a good yarn about where the industry's heading, how he approaches his art, and what keeps him inspired beyond the studio.
Q: You and Zeb have known each other for around 20 years now. What are your memories of those early days?
A: Those were the freedom days - carefree, designing futures without really worrying about tomorrow. Just having fun and making cool shit. It wasn’t as “look at me” back then. There was no Instagram, so you had to build real-world connections.
I met Zeb in Bondi, which at the time was a melting pot of young creatives. There was always a random house party where you’d cross paths with like-minded people. I was starting a brand called Running with Thieves with my good friend Pabs, and we were hunting for quality tees. Zeb was at the beginning of AS Colour and played a big part in helping us make that happen. We’ve been good friends ever since.
Q: How did you first get into creating?
A: I was always drawing as a kid. I was really into skateboarding and started copying old Powell (Peralta) graphics when I was around 9 or 10. But the real turning point was catching trains to school through Sydney’s southwest during the first graffiti boom in the ‘80s and feeding into that.
From there, it evolved naturally into the Apple Mac boom and graphic design. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. We were just kids figuring it out, not knowing where it would lead. There wasn’t much money in it - it was driven by passion, and definitely not career.
Q: Earlier in your career you focused heavily on graphic design and later shifted into artwork. What brought about that shift, and how do you balance the two now?
A: In the late ‘90s I had a small design studio in Darlinghurst, above an old Italian restaurant. We were doing nightclub flyers - it was fun and loose. From there, things became more serious: bigger brands, stepping into creative direction. I’d always painted on the side, but never knew how to push it forward. Before Instagram, you had to carry portfolios around town trying to get your foot in the door - it’s funny to think about that now.
Around 2013, my now wife got really sick and it shifted everything. I thought, life’s too short. I spoke to a friend and landed my first show at China Heights in Sydney - the rest is history. After that first show I stepped back from design for a while, only contracting here and there in the music industry, but eventually collaborative opportunities started coming through, blending painting and design. I’ve kept those worlds fairly separate until recently, but now that I feel established in both, it makes sense to bring them together.
Q: What does your dream project (brand or otherwise) look like?
A: Honestly, I’m just happy to still be building my folio after all these years. Continuing to grow and mentoring others.I’m always looking for different opportunities - I wouldn’t be writing off a big scupltural project and collaborating with a particular brand just yet. Stay tuned.
Q: Looking at the creative industry now, what’s one trend you love and one you hope fades away?
A: I love the ongoing type trends. Using and mixing typography has always been a favourite of mine.
As for a trend that I hope fades - in both art and design - making video content for absolutely everything. For me, being an artist is a personal excursion. Keep some mystery about your practice and stop diluting yourself for the algorithm.
Q: What’s currently inspiring you outside of your own industry?
A: Nature, always. Being outdoors is humbling - it reminds you how small you are. And big cities, in a different way. The culture, the energy, the heartbeat - it’s a similar kind of perspective shift.
Q: Do you have a process for getting into the creative zone?
A: Not really - it’s either there or it’s not. Sometimes it just flows. I’ve learned not to force it. Music can help set a tempo in the studio, but it really depends on where I’m at in life. That tends to shape everything.
Q: After all these years, what’s been your happiest moment in the studio?
A: There have been plenty, but finishing a major body of work is always up there - coming up for air after months of painting and seeing it all come together.
Q: At times the apparel industry can feel like a bit of an echo chamber. What are some brands you admire pushing boundaries right now?
A: Honestly, none that stand out to me right now. It feels like a lot of revision. I’m sure there are smaller, more obscure brands doing great things - I just haven’t come across them yet.
Q: What’s next for you / what are you most excited about?
A: I’m taking a bit of time away from exhibiting. My last solo show was in Sydney last October, so I’m focusing on pushing my painting further without the pressure of a show.
On the design side, I’ve got a couple of personal projects - including a small ultralight hiking brand called Hikebrah - and helping out on some rebranding projects. Beyond that, just enjoying time with my family.
Q: How does your approach cut through the noise of new tools and DIY design?
A: I come from the analogue era - scanning hand-drawn type and using software to refine, not replace.
A lot of designers today are disconnected from pen and paper, the same way photographers have moved away from film. It’s fast, but it can lose that human touch. In the end, quality will always stand apart from quantity.
Q: What are you saying no to more often these days?
A: Social events.
For more of Brooklyns work and to check out his impressive CV, jump over to his website or instagram
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