Today we’d like to introduce you to Barton Damer.
Barton Damer started out freelancing nights and weekends for local brands in Dallas. Barton is a long-time skateboarder and was creating skateboard graphics for local skate shops around the city. In 2010, he officially launched a full-time studio called Already Been Chewed. The demand for his work grew as brands like Nike sought to work with Barton on a variety of sneaker releases, including the 30th Anniversary of the Air Force 1. Over the last 11+ years. His studio has worked on product releases for some of the most iconic brands in the world, including Disney, Marvel, DC Comics, Tiffany & Co., The UFC, The NBA, The NFL, Adidas and Nike. Today, Already Been Chewed has grown to a team of 13 people and continues to work with international clients while still staying true to Barton’s roots in skateboarding.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
ABC’s growth has been slow and calculated based on creative motives. Barton has recruited a team of amazing artists, most of whom he moved to the area for the job. “We’re a studio run by an artist… for artists”. The 3d and motion design industry is know for burning young talent out. Many times they are in and out of the industry by the time they are 30 years old. Barton’s goal has been to treat all the employees the way he’d want to be treated – and that has translated into a steady team of senior-level artists that are able to raise families and enjoy their personal lives outside of creating amazing work at Already Been Chewed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In 2009, Barton won “Digital Artist of the Year” from Computer Arts Magazine, one of the most prestigious magazines in the industry at that time. His work is often categorized Retro Futuristic. Ultimately, Barton considers himself and Commercial artist, though. He has built a studio that thrives off of telling exciting and visually stimulating stories around products. Unique creative influenced by a variety of Barton’s personal interests (skateboarding, basketball, hip hop & fitness) leads ABC to the top of the industry and their client list reflects that inspiration.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
There’s a big shift in the industry to handle Real-Time motion graphics. Everything from Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality… to simply creating tools that make it faster to “render” the complex 3d animations that Already Been Chewed has become known for. The NFT space has changed things quite a bit for digital artists and motion designers in 2021. ABC is navigating that space and has a variety of NFT drops in the works collaborating with some of Barton’s favorite brands.
Contact Info:
- Email: barton@alreadybeenchewed.tv
- Website: www.alreadybeenchewed.tv
- Instagram: @alreadybeenchewed
- Facebook: /alreadybeenchewed
- Twitter: @bartondamer
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ8ckmY7NSk&t=78s
- Other: /alreadybeenchewed – TikTok
Image Credits
Photos by @sidebproductions on IG
