Captivated by art and graphic design from an early age, David Bardis and Henry “Hank” Samuels, high school friends from Decatur and the entrepreneurs behind Broken Window Theory clothing, have been using their inspirations from Atlanta’s urban landscape to become proverbial purveyors of street culture. As a company focused on inspiring and elevating the local creative scene, BWT has utilized its blog and zines to promote and root itself in a variety of artistic ventures around Atlanta, including the booming street art scene.
With the launching of a new clothing collection entitled “HoodRats,” introduced at this year’s Holiday Indie Craft Experience, CommonCreativ caught up with Bardis and Samuels to discuss their design inspirations and aspirations for the future.
CommonCreativ: How did you get to Atlanta?
Bardis and Samuels: We were both born and raised in Atlanta, on the east side of town. David grew up in Avondale [Estates] and Hank grew up in Decatur. We met at Decatur High School and graduated from Georgia State University, with Hank majoring in journalism and photography and David majoring in graphic design.
CC: What’s y’all’s background in design and art?
BWT: We’ve always been fascinated with art growing up, from painting to pottery to photography. But the idea of producing products really clicked in high school in graphic arts class where we had the opportunity to make our own stickers, t-shirts, note pads and calendars using an old-fashioned printing press. We fell in love with coming up with a finished product—the act of making something that’s both graphically beautiful and cool to use.
Once in college together, we were inspired by the street culture of the city around us in downtown and were looking for a way to funnel our creativity into a finished product to share with others. BWT is a reflection of ideas, people and things that inspire us and shape the urban landscape around us.
Broken Window Theory’s Hank and Dave
CC: How long has BWT been around?
BWT: We’ve been at it for about three years now!
CC: Aside from clothing, what is BWT focusing on?
BWT: We love doing other projects too: painting murals, making zines, doing creative things in general. I think we’ve begun to see ourselves as purveyors of street culture in general—new music, good graffiti or street art, talented artists, up-and-coming writers or bloggers, really anything that we think is inspiring. These are things that we enjoy sharing on our blog, which has become a rolling bulletin board of inspiration for us and others.
CC: What is your goal with BWT?
BWT: We’ve always wanted to be a clothing company that stressed and elevated art above all else. One day it would be awesome to own a huge studio space where we can bring in other talented artists and help them produce shirts or hats or bags or whatever their vision may be. Realizing that finished product has been such a rewarding feeling for us, it would be nice to share that with others.
CC: What are your favorite projects or artists in Atlanta?
BWT: Atlanta’s art scene is bustling with new and old talent such as Trek Matthews. He always blows our minds with his approach to drawing and painting, especially his Living Walls murals. Greg Mike and everything he does to push these artists at ABV Gallery and agency. The muralist/tattoo artist PaperFrank. Sam Parker is both an amazing tattoo artist and a master painter with a brush or can of spray paint.
Peter Ferrari and his ‘Forward Warrior’ mural project continue to do great things. Catlanta is a close friend and inspiration. Evereman has been doing really great stuff for the city for many years. Anyone in the Free Art Friday ATL scene, (#FAFATL). HENSE has been gracing the walls of our city for many years, as well as other seasoned, talented graffiti artists. There are great sign painters in the city that are reviving a forgotten artistic trade like Will at Squared Away Signs, Nate at Howdy Nater Signs, and Adam at McNeil Signs. Everyone in the handcrafted movement, especially Christy and Shannon of Indie Craft Experience. Basically anyone who inspires us and contributes to the local scene is cool in our book.
CC: What do you think of the Atlanta creative scene right now?
BWT: We’re very excited and pleased with Atlanta’s creative scene. Atlanta is always in flux, always on the move and these days more than ever. The creative scene here is going to do big things in the coming years. There are so many people in Atlanta who are willing to pursue personal creative dreams, whether it’s starting a business or giving up a corporate 9-to-5 job to pursue an artistic passion; this is the kind of city that supports people who take those risks.
CC: Do you have any new projects in the works?
BWT: We are rolling out a new collection of clothing entitled HoodRats. Our first of these designs was revealed at the Holiday Indie Craft Experience late last year. Our designs are typically driven by our local surroundings and urban lifestyles. Urban culture, hip-hop, graffiti, street art, popular culture, classic and contemporary design, and social trends are all key influences for our art. The HoodRats collection gives us the ability to work within a central urban theme, while creating new designs from our sense of humor, take on life and cultural surroundings. We strive to continuously elevate the level of our brand and promote anyone on the same page.
Learn more about Broken Window Theory and check out their upcoming look book on their site.
