Ornamental Conifer

Ornamental Conifer is a British artist named Nicolai Sclater. He may be a sign painter by trade, but he takes his art further than the customary two-dimensional canvases. Employing sleek typography fonts that ode with retro aesthetics, Ornamental Conifer toys with various mediums; denim jackets, vintage automotive and garden equipment, creating unique one off objects. 

Originally Nicolai studied as a graphic designer honing his skills as a graphic designer before leaving the dependable route for the niche market of sign painting. Originally based in London he has done a collaboration with Edwin called 'Further'

This video explains a little about Nicolai, Edwin and the collaboration between the two.

Ornamental Conifer is unlike any of the other designers that I obsess over; form doesn't follow function, it isn't all precisely laid out or modernist. His work possesses a certain charm and character that I think goes back to the art, skill and origins of sign painting. What makes him jump out to me and grab my attention is the medium he uses, he applies his talent to personal interests such a motorbikes which is how I found out about him. He isn't especially well known to many people or the internet, proving it very difficult to find information on him. I learnt of him through motorcycle social media and that seems to be the only place to find bits of information about him apart from the odd article on blogs and his own blog ornamentalconifer

He emigrated to Australia in the summer of 2013 and recently toured Portland which is home to a few well known motorcycle builders, riders and bloggers where he painted a stunning hot rod

Nicolai painted a one of a kind leather jacket for Alex Turner for Arctic Monkeys upcoming  throwing his work and his designs further into the spotlight as the reputation of Alex and his style leads people to question the artist etc...

It's design features the lettering 'one for the road' a title off their latest album but features Nicoli's visual identity that features on most projects which is the love heart and bow.

Below are a few more examples of his work that I have found interesting mainly because of the way he's taken something so traditional but given it a modern feel.

Even though he does experiment with different mediums he is still commissioned to do more 'ordinary' work

The one above doesn't look too spectacular because nowadays you see designs like this everywhere because of the use of stencils, but when you look at it knowing it has all been painted with one steady hand you can really stand back and appreciate the skill involved in something so simple.