Art comes in different forms and mediums. In Santa Ana, California, Cory Nunez, founder of OpenDesign Co. and Maté NYC, discovered his passion for art at a young age. Skateboarding and fashion became an inspiration to simply succeed in the far future. At the age of 19, Nunez started a fashion company that includes the aesthetic of street-wear and skateboarding; his love for artistry and edge turned into a profession that is well-known and adored by others who share the same vision as Nunez.
How did Open Design Co. start? What is your story behind it all? How did you become a designer?
Designing was something I was always interested in. My family are very creative people, so I believe that staying in an inventive mindset came in naturally. I’ve always known that I wanted to make creative things, and it all started when I grew up skating. When I was younger, I used to skate with other kids and thought that they all looked so cool; I just always loved the aesthetics of skateboarding. I would notice how other skaters would dress, how they decorated their boards, and I would also notice the brands they would support; all that intrigued me. Skateboarding showed an impression of creativity, so I knew that I wanted to do something artwise in the fashion and skating industry. My whole story with fashion, art, and skating lead me to take skating seriously for about 16 years, however, I knew that I was never going to be a professional skateboarder, which lead to me becoming a designer.
From the start of designing, I remember applying for school in the Fine Arts and thinking to myself that I just wanted to draw some cool images. Many people were describing to me other names for the type of art I wanted to do, and that is how I got introduced to graphic design. With graphic design though, other students had the knowledge of drawing on MacBooks, Illustrator, and Photoshop; but with me, I just knew how to draw. When classes began, I started to learn and get used to all ways of graphic design. When I was 20 years old I had my first son, and that was when I had a realization that I had to start somewhere, make my design into a living to support my son.
In the beginning, I thought of calling my brand OpenMinded, but there were already five brands with that name, so I came up with Open Design Co. and this was when I started to take on random freelance retail and real estate gigs. But I knew that was not what I wanted to do, so one day an old friend of mine wanted to create a clothing brand with me where we both started a stoner brand called High Rise. I was with High Rise for 4-5 years which made me build a huge network from Brazil, Japan, and Europe. High Rise created an open door for me, but I did not just want to draw things that involved weed, I wanted to focus on fashion and streetwear. Later on, I elevated from side gigs and started taking that seriously which made me work with artists like Blac Youngsta, MoneyBaggs, etc..
I also created a new brand called Maté NYC which has been around for almost four years now. With Maté, we have upcoming opportunities like shoots with other brands like Lakai and Fila which are exciting events that we have achieved.
How do you come up with designs and what helps you stay creative?
Honestly, music and Google images keep me creative. Google images are kind of like a little cheat code for me, where I would find something that interests me and then I would insert and add my change to it. For example, if I find a logo that intrigues me, I will figure out something else that will turn into a snowball effect of a whole clothing line. Anything that comes to mind that helps spark my creativity.
What makes your brand unique?
Trying to stay different by being original. I like to do research and development, so before I do any designs I like to study looks, other brands, and other artists to see what they are doing, but also stay away from what they are doing. It is a lot of contemplating and just going for it.
Do you have a current favorite piece that you have done? If so, what is it and why is it your favorite? What is the meaning behind this piece?
I always had a love/hate relationship with my artworks. Being an artist, I had the battle of loving a piece, and the next day, I hate it. I always feel like I have to do something new, but then I think to myself that I have to make more and continue. But to answer your question, I like all my stuff, I don’t really favor any pieces and never really have.
What are some of your proudest or most notable achievements with your brand or as a designer?
Since I was 14, I wanted to make my own shoes. I think one of my proudest moments would be being able to create my own shoes and seeing them come to life; being able to see something I have always wanted to do and actually see it happen with known brands.
Also, making a living out of my passion. Who wouldn’t want to do what they have always wanted to do from the start?
Name some ways your brand is inspired by or helps the community?
I think in a way a lot of people have told me that my designs have inspired them and made them want to create and design. To know that people are intrigued by my artwork and to see that they are buying it, I feel like it is the biggest high for me to ever have. To me, it means that I am doing something right.
With my recent works, I have done pieces for the Black Lives Matter movement. I was raised in a family that is political on both sides, so I always kept situations openminded. Being part Black, it is a HUGE priority right now to make this known. Whether you are Black, Asian, Hispanic, White; there is a bigger picture, and this needs to be known. Being creative and having the opportunity to be able to share things with people and manipulate it in a way where people can laugh at it, or consider looking at it and maybe bring up a thought in mind that they were not even thinking about, it means a lot to me to be able to share my pieces about BLM.
For my brand, Maté, every poster, shirt, and designs that were sold that had to do with Black Lives Matter was donated to a contribution.
What is your brand’s goal for the future?
My goal for the brand is to elevate it; to keep growing and keep doing what we are doing. Another is to try to adapt to what is new and try to put our own twist on it. As far as for painting, I have to keep drawing new things and keep making things aware that need to be aware. I also want to create murals and bigger artworks, so hopefully, that will happen soon.
Share some words of wisdom that have helped you through various experiences.
Patience, consistency and continue to plan. If you have those three things, then you are all set. Just keep doing what you are doing and never give up. Especially nowadays, many people are impatient, but if you try to avoid that, everything will come to life and it will work.
