Behind the JPEG: ClegFX RTFKT
Behind the JPEG: ClegFX RTFKT
The RTFKT creative mastermind, who is he?
From developing skins on CSGO and DOTA to becoming the RTFKT co-founder and creative director, ClegFX is pioneering the digital fashion industry. But where did it all start and where is it going? Most importantly, what is the story behind him hanging out with Paris Hilton! Find out in this exclusive interview below.
Connecting the physical world with the virtual world, ClegFX has become a master at innovating and establishing some of the most high-tech, apollo-12 like creations! From cyber sneakers to meta-pigeons, to viral holograms. You could say that Cleg is definitely preparing for the future. RTFKT has seen enormous success, pioneering, and entering uncharted territory with their digital sneakers, catching the eye of luxury brands and fashion, they are on the pathway to becoming one of the most adept creative brands in the NFT scene.
But where did it start for Cleg? In his younger years, he began as a designer, creating games and eventually forming his own independent studio. Preceding his early design, he paved the way in the music and film scene, dipping into production and directing. Finally, he found his wave in the video game industry, working on the design of skins for some of the most influential games including CS:GO, Dota, and Rainbow Six. Cleg is a jack of all trades with a wealth of experience across the entirety of the media industry. Reflecting on this, it is no surprise that he has become one of the most creative minds in the NFT community.
After a recent collaboration with Fewocious, the NFT community was able to get their hands on some exclusive, vibrant physical sneakers designed by the team and Fewocious himself- a historical day in the NFT scene. But that is not all, RTFKT or ‘artifact’ are simultaneously leading the way in the metaverse, enabling holders to take their sneakers in-game, living universally on the blockchain. The potentiality of being able to express yourself virtually is something that Cleg advocates for, having an inventory that is decentralized and owned by the user is the future. RTFKT are at the forefront of this and making history with each concept and project that they propose.
What is next for Cleg? While he sets the standards in the creative world, he is also continuing his creative journey, from Paris, to Miami to London. He is taking on the world with RTFKT with no plans of stopping anytime soon. Cleg has a number of projects lined up including his very own NFT collectible drop, code-named project Akira. This unique, generative avatar collection is set to rival some of the biggest collections in the scene, and I am sure that the community will get behind it encouraging another RTFKT success. With all of this hard work, Cleg happily maintains a steady sleep schedule, reads, and works out. Perhaps, RTFKT do have robots working for them after all!
If you are wondering, how the hell did he manage to hang out with Paris Hilton? Read on below to find out exactly that in this exclusive interview!
As the creative director at RTFKT you are spearheading the movement of the brand, where do you see the studios in a year’s time?
RTFKT will be the main brand of the metaverse that also connects the physical world to the virtual world. I'm predicting that AR glasses will start to see mass adoption and RTFKT will be that brand that you would see everyone wearing in AR.
RTFKT has partnered with a number of designers, Fewocious most recently. Who has been your favorite collaboration and why?
There is no favorite. Every artist that we have worked with has very unique styles from one another. It’s super inspiring to see these artists put their own spin on our RTFKT objects.
From sneakers to digital fashion, RTFKT are always ahead of the game. Are you working on anything at the moment that could stun the NFT community?
Project Akira (Code Name, not the final name btw). It’s our own generative avatar project with utility. I'm super hyped on this one!
When did you first get your punk and how has it changed your NFT experience?
Ahh it was dope! I felt like I was instantly put into a dope community of like-minded people. Everyone is so supportive.
Where do you get your artistic inspiration from and how did you initially get into design?
I started out as a designer back in 1997 when I was 11 years old doing 3D. I designed my own indie games when I was a kid and eventually created my own design studio designing album artwork and myspace / web layouts for the music industry working with artists like (Jhene Aiko, The Game, Anderson .Paak, etc). Eventually I moved into the music video scene where I directed/produced and edited. I always incorporated VFX into all my work. After the music video era, I moved into films where I had my first film THAT I produced on Netflix titled "Zombie Hunter" starring Danny Trejo. I then fell into the video game scene by designing skins for games like CS:GO, Dota 2, Rainbow Six: Seige. My inspiration comes from the games I grew up with like Half Life, Half Life 2, Doom, Quake, Dota 2, Counter Strike, Final Fanatasy, etc. and science fiction films.
What one piece of advice would you give to an artist who is looking to enter the NFT scene?
Before entering in, study the NFT space and see in what ways you can make your art stick out from the rest of the pack. There are tons of artists, do something unique! Also, make sure you always add some type of utility!!!
What was the story behind you and Paris Hilton hanging out!?
Ahh, we linked up in Miami at Bitcoin Con! She is super cool, hard-working and smart af. We linked up to film some content and plan some dope shit together!