New Skool owner Nate Tan has been an artist and designer in San Francisco for more than 25 years. After working as a graphic designer, he started New Skool in his garage in 2004. While he makes screenprinted tees and jackets for adults, his specialty is baby gear with iconic images of San Francisco.
"Our latest most exciting step is we are manufacturing our own onesies and tees," Nate says. "Locally designed, cut and sewn and screen printed here in San Francisco."
Nate also maintains his graphic design business, Nate1Design, paints large-scale graffiti murals and teaches History of Graffiti Workshops at 1AMGallery in San Francisco. Learn more about him and his artwork below.
Where do you draw inspiration? Or who inspires you?
My wife inspires me. She is an amazing designer (and photographer) here in SF. My kids, of course. They are artists in their own right. I am inspired by our wonderful city, music and other creative people around me as well.
If you could eat at any food truck, what would it be? And what would you get?
I'd create a food truck for my Mom and eat there! Haha. My Mom is a Burmese and Indian food master chef!
What do you like most about the maker community?
I appreciate that San Francisco is a city that can support artists and designers' creative endeavors. Owning your own creative business is not easy, but with hard work and persistence SF is a great place to do it.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
Mexico, but I don't really like to travel.
What do you want for your next birthday?
Happy, healthy family.
What does your work space look like?
I rent a small studio/office from Offix Edge in the Sunset District, which is really close to my home. As a dad and a business owner, this is really convenient for me. My kids often stop by the office and help me do small tasks. There is a small community of regular office mates here. We have a jeweler, a blogger, random meetings in the conference room.
I've been here almost 3 years and it has been a great upgrade for my businesses. Besides housing my New Skool inventory, an added perk is that I have 4 large walls in the office where I can display my work. It's really great to have a place to meet clients. I paint from home and walk the paintings over in the morning. If you ever want the grand tour you should stop by!
