Here at Busy Beaver, we love looking through all the projects that come through the Dam. Our team was absolutely delighted when designer Eric W. Lee of Alone Time Co. ordered his first batch of “I Just Quit the Artist’s Way” bumper stickers (IYKYK). Since then, I’ve made it a point to check out all his sticker designs whenever they come through our production queue. They’re always good for a chuckle.
So naturally, I’ve been trying to figure out how to collaborate with Eric. I’m so excited he’s one of our featured artists this year.
Read more about how Eric got his start designing merch, why he made the leap from agency life, and what he has in common with a New York pigeon. Hope you enjoy!
Busy Beaver: In 2019, you left the agency world to go out on your own as a full-time freelancer, focusing on branding and design. What pushed you to make that leap, and what's one thing you learned along the way that surprised you?
Eric W Lee: I really had to push myself to leave my final job because the idea of being on my own was so terrifying. I’d always wanted to work for myself after college (I even tried after my first design job but failed miserably) as it just always felt like something that was destined for me. Before my dad passed, he was running 2 businesses that he started from nothing after coming here with pretty much nothing. Many of my family members ran their own businesses as well.
It’s kind of obvious, but I learned that many things can work out if you put the appropriate amount of time and effort into it. I was so afraid to leave full-time work because I didn’t think I had it in me to abandon that security. I went into constant problem solver mode the first few years, but I’m still honestly shocked that it worked out and surprised at how much I love it.
BB: Do you have any advice for people thinking about going out on their own the way you did?
EL: The ups and downs of being on your own is something you’ll really need to decide if you can stomach and then you’ll need to learn and accept that pretty quickly once you do.
Definitely have 6+ months of living expenses saved up, because you will experience periods where hardly any work or money comes in, especially in the first year. But when it rains, it pours, and that’s what makes this path really exciting and fulfilling.
BB: Busy Beaver also grew out of that same DIY spirit, the idea that you don't need permission to make something. You just make it.
Where did that ethos come from for you, and why has it stayed so central to your creative process?
EL: I feel very fortunate to have been brought into skateboarding and punk subcultures at a very young age (15-16). I tried organized sports but it just wasn’t for me. With skateboarding, no one is pushing you to achieve anything. You are the one determining how far you’ll go. You learn so much about yourself while trying the same tricks over and over.
I started playing in bands in high school, and that was around the time I learned Photoshop. I was already designing and producing cassette and cd layouts along with screen printing patches, t-shirts and posters myself before I even knew there was any other way. Being ok with chartering unknown territories, trading info and leaning on peers who know how to do things you want to learn has always felt like the best way to approach things.
BB: When did you decide to launch Alone Time? What drew you to making custom stickers, pins, and wearable items?
EL: I started doing Alone Time Co. in 2017, shortly before moving to NYC. I wasn’t working on much personal art at the time. All of my creative energy was put into playing music and working a full-time job. It wasn’t initially supposed to be a “brand,” just a way to claim time to make things for myself.
I’ve made and slapped up 1000’s of stickers all over Boston while I was living there and I was designing t-shirts for all of my friends’ bands. I think those items (stickers, pins, tees) just happened to be the easiest way to get my designs in front of people, so I just naturally continued with them when Alone Time Co. happened.
BB: You've worked with some amazing clients, including Crooked Media, NPR, Bandits Bandanas, and the American Museum of Natural History. How do you make sure you're still carving out time for your personal projects?
EL: I’ve built time into my daily schedule to work on personal projects! Whether that is quick morning or evening sketching or ongoing illustrations that I chip away at throughout the week, I always need to be making something, to my own detriment, and I’ve been cursed to prioritize that need in order to feel creatively fulfilled.
BB: When you're starting a new piece, what does your process actually look like? Do you start in a sketchbook, digitally, or both?
EL: Both! I definitely always start with sketching on my iPad, whether it’s client or personal work, for speed’s sake. If it’s a logo/identity project or I’m unsure of where to start with an illustration, I prefer a sketchbook or tracing paper because I really like to get all of the bad ideas out quickly and see where I started. It just feels easier going analog.
Once I have a good idea of what direction I’m headed in, I’ll hop into Illustrator for all linework, typography and any fine details. The final output of my work is pretty much always vector.
BB: We noticed you chose to work with the Uglybooks Frank No.1. which gives big NYC hot dog energy (though as Chicagoans, we can’t condone ketchup on a hot dog). What drew you to that color palette?
EL: Haha! Honestly, I am a sucker for gold and red, together or on their own. Uglybooks just nailed the colorway on the Frank No.1. It’s so pretty, so it was an easy choice.
BB: What was the inspiration behind the specific design you created for this project?
EL: This sept marked my 9th year living in NYC. In the past year, I’ve been discovering how much I love being in the city and I feel like I’ve gone to war with all of the things that annoy me and make it difficult to exist here, but they never got the best of me.
I decided to draw a pigeon (I’ve been drawing a ton lately) in a traditional eagle pose: very triumphant and gliding around with a pizza slice like a trophy.
That’s me. I’m the pigeon.
BB: If you could manifest your absolute dream project or collaboration right now, what would it be?
EL: Oh! I’d love to work with the New York Knicks or The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Also, Japan’s FamilyMart stores would be really fun. They have their own “Convenience Wear” line and I have my friend in Tokyo grab me socks whenever new ones drop.
BB: What's currently living in your sketchbook or your head that hasn't been brought to life yet?
EL: Aside from a dozen really bad bumper sticker ideas, I have a sketch of a scene from the movie SPEED (Sandra Bullock is behind the wheel of the bus and Kenau Reeves is wearing this expression of “how the hell am I getting us out of this”). But instead of those two, it’s a pair of pigeons and they’re speeding through NYC. I think it’s so funny but there is literally no reason for me to spend any time on it, so I think it just lives in my sketchbook.
BB: Anything else you'd want Busy Beaver fans to know about you or your work? Where should people go to follow along? Your site, Alone Time, Instagram? Toot your horn!
EL: You can check out some of my work at ericwlee.com or my online shop at alonetime.co. And I’m on IG @ericwleedesign and @alonetimenyc. Thanks so much for having me!
Have an idea, but don’t know where to start? Be like Eric. Grab a notebook, make a doodle, and take the leap. You don't need a big order to make it real. Busy Beaver’s custom sticker minimums start at just 50. We’ll make sure to include this fearless pigeon in your order while supplies last.
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