Knicks: An Interview With Graphic Artist Elliot Gerard

One of the challenges you likely incur is designing art that represents the state of the team. Can you paint the verbal picture of your vision for the New York Knicks?

Elliot Gerard: First off, I want to express that I love working with the digital team; they have been so good to me. I am forever grateful to them for this experience to create artwork for my favorite team of all-time. They even helped me build working relationships with the New York Rangers and the Red Bulls. It been wonderful working with them from day one. From one of my first illustrations being retweeted by the legendary Phil Jackson, to being able to create artwork celebrating everyone’s favorite Knick Clyde Frazier’s 70th birthday.

Although it’s been a tough two seasons since I started working with them, for me I have enjoyed the ride immensely. Whenever a big event happens like Carmelo Anthony passing Larry Bird on the all-time scoring list, we throw ideas back and forth for how to capture the event through design and/or animation.

They push me as an artist, like ‘Melo’s last two All-Star Game appearance we  came up with some amazing concepts. When ‘Melo and the Knicks were hosting the All-Star Game in 2014, the digital director had an amazing idea to create a “‘Melo Mosaic” playing off of the subway theme of All-Star Game.

It was a challenge, but it ended up being one of my favorite pieces I ever created with them. When people see the mosaic, they ask me “What subway stop is that mosaic at?” 

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