“When street knowledge meets technology and graffiti melds with graphic design”

123KLAN are a graffiti crew based in Montreal, Canada. They were founded in 1992 by French duo Scien and Mrs Klor. Over the years, they have managed to adapt their skills in graffiti art to open a creative studio focussed on graphics and branding. They have also been able to launch their own streetwear label BANDIT1SM x 123KLAN as well as being asked to work on collections for Adidas, Nike and Stussy. Another string to 123KLAN’s bow is animation and video game work.

I really admire how they have managed to intergrate all of these different mediums into one central brand while keeping their distinctive graffiti influenced look to everything they do. Each specialism is included on one website but, they keep each aspect of their practice separated into categories as if they are different departments of the same thing. As a designer who is uncertain about where I fit on a spectrum of branding to illustration, this is something I will definitely think about for the future. It proves that there is no need to pigeonhole yourself as just an ‘illustrator’ or a ‘branding expert’ or an ‘artist’. 123KLAN are proof that you can adapt any relevant creative skill you may have at any stage of your career to fit into your practice.