Emerging Talent No. 3: BORN

TOP: BORN (CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER LEFT): MATTHEW ENCINA, JIAREN HUI, AARON BJORK, BRENDAN WIUFF, CHRIS RIEHL, MICHAEL RELTH; BOTTOM: 2007 | STAY FRESH | CLIENT: BORN

BORN is a motion graphics and design group based in L.A.—six members with design and illustration backgrounds who share a singular focus on creating culture through art, design and anima­tion. Although they come from different cultural backgrounds and creative disciplines, partners Chris Riehl, Matthew Encina, Aaron Bjork, Brendan Wiuff, Michael Relth and Jiaren Hui have some­thing in common: “We like to make awesome.”

“Chris Riehl and the BORN collective are unique visual story­tellers that capture and transcend the zeitgeist of our fast-paced environment,” says Nik Hafermaas, dean of Communication Design at Art Center College of Design. “While still students at Art Center, BORN has developed a professional mode of cre­ative collaboration which can serve as an entrepreneurial example for the next generation of young designers.” Brian Boyl, direc­tor of Motion Design at Art Center, concurs on their talent. “The BORN collective is a gang of digital outlaws that pack real heat,” he declares. “They’ve got guts, smarts, talent, skills, a work ethic to die for and are just plain fun guys to hang out with.” Indeed, BORN members—both individually and collectively—are gather­ing an impressive body of clients (Sony Playstation, Live Earth and Nissan, to name a few), in addition to rave reviews.

Their work is a blend of live action, stop-motion animation and illustrated segments. Slick 3D renderings get mashed up with hand-drawn typography or rough cartoons. It’s all layered in a kind of interdisciplinary exuberance. BORN’s conceptual approach is a melting pot of media, ultimately forming one solid and cohesive piece that is both digital and handmade.

“Honestly, I make work like this because I can’t make it any other way,” says BORN partner Chris Riehl. “To me, all creative endeavors are valid and interesting. I write a lot of music, animate things for fun all the time, keep a sketchbook and enjoy paint­ing and making all types of things.” The group finds inspiration in the underground art movements in L.A., fashion and music. A few members play instruments, DJ and write music. Time off for the team involves radio-controlled helicopters, crappy New Wave music and of course Halo 3.

“Being able to create new things helps us grow as individu­als and as a group,” say the BORN partners. “We’re all infatuated with the idea of creation,” they explain, with the group dynamic providing an inspiring context for this infatuation. “When we formed this collective, we realized immediately that we could take ourselves to places unfamiliar to us and be comfortable creating significant content for it. In the future we want to continue into different outlets like film, gallery work, clothing and whatever else we might feel the need to create.”

www.weareborn.tv