What happens when you mix two best friends who have a taste for the wild, the wacky, and experimental design? In this case you get Mortis Studio, an all-star creative agency working as a director duo, animation practice, design studio and more.
To get a sense of what Mortis Studio is all about, first check out the duo’s headbanging creative reel, whose MTV-like nostalgia will leave you feeling inspired and excited for more. Then, head over to the Mortis Studio website and be blown away by the one-of-a-kind talent they showcase across their portfolio. From music videos with artists like Iceage and Earl Sweatshirt to content and merchandise for brands including Fender, Stussy and Louis Vuitton — not to mention podcasts, mixtapes and more — you won’t want to miss out on all that Mortis Studio has to offer.
What is Mortis Studio?
Mortis Studio brings a whole new meaning to “creative” agency. Their unique blend of pop culture and vintage imagery formulates illustrations, designs, animations, prints, and videos that are out of this world. Founded in Southern California by Taylor Johnson and Dustyn Peterman in 2016, Mortis Studio is a part of the arthouse community, working as creative collaborators and content creators for brands and artists alike.
Experimental Design Meets Print & Video Production
Their experimental design approach, direction, and innovative use of different mediums is exactly what makes Mortis Studio stand out from the crowd. Mortis works directly with artists, labels, and brands to cultivate original ideas tailored to each client, working across and integrating different media to make art that perfectly suits any project.
The Faces of Mortis Studio (Dustyn & Taylor)
Dustyn Peterman
Born in Tulsa, OK before moving to Kansas City, MO, Dustyn “Dusty” Peterman spent most of his formative years in Indiana. His parents' jobs skipped them around the midwest for the early years of his life. Comics, toys, television, rollerblading, basketball, music, games, and graffiti kept him busy.
After finishing college in the midwest, Dusty moved to California to seek more opportunity for creative work. In California, Dusty started “Dusty Dirtweed”. The small freelance art/design project worked with bands and musicians to create promotions and [eventually] music videos. After five years in the freelance circuit, Dusty was introduced to Taylor through mutual friends.
Taylor Johnson
Taylor Johnson was born and raised in San Diego, CA, moved to LA for a while then eventually to Atlanta, GA. As a kid he was pretty much obsessed with music, drawing and skateboarding. At the age of 20, Taylor dropped out of college, he then began working in construction, retail, and numerous other odd jobs while freelancing on the side.
Knowing he wanted to be involved and potentially run a creative studio of his own, Taylor began taking the appropriate steps to achieve that goal. He worked inside select San Diego creative agencies leading up to a position at Adult Swim, he ultimately moved to Atlanta. It was there that Taylor worked with an amazing creative team for 3 years… until the lure of the ocean and California sun brought him back to San Diego.
The Age of the Studio
Both Taylor and Dustyn started to work in video and animation around the same time, comparing notes and collaborating to build a shared approach to making videos. In 2016, Mortis Studio was created. The studio began as just two people working on animations with a roster of mostly design and illustration jobs—drawing was a large part of what they made and how the final deliverables were oriented.
Over time, the studio has been tasked with different types of short- and long-form animation and has taken a growing focus in live action direction, helping their practice evolve into the multidisciplinary powerhouse they are today. Nowadays, they really enjoy the challenge and experiences they gain through live action video production and working with other professionals in the field as they continue to produce eye-catching work for artists and brands alike.
The Phonecast (Mortis Studio Podcast)
What is The Phonecast & Where to Listen
As a way to learn more about other creatives, Mortis Studio started The Phonecast in 2019. The Phonecast is a combination of mixtapes and interviews where professionals discuss how they navigate their work, sustain a living, how they got started in the industry, and ultimately what music they like to jam to.
This is an ongoing series and unique spin on traditional podcasts which you can listen to via SoundCloud.
Mortis Studio Projects
WeTransfer - Standing on the Corner
WeTransfer and Standing On The Corner contacted Mortis to create an animated music video for their upcoming LP release and a write up for WeTransfer Presents. The video portrays a terrifying day in the life of the group as they navigate the streets of New York.
Standing on the Corner is an American avant-garde music collective led by the Nuyorican musician Gio Escobar. WeTransfer head of music, Jamal Dauda, spoke to them about the ideas behind the video and how it came about, “A big part of it was trying to work with Taylor Johnson and the Mortis Studio dudes. They have a similar lexicon when it comes to reference or the language that we deal in visually. I think they share a lot with us. That was a big thing.” The video, a mix of animation and found footage, merges perfectly with the Mortis Studio aesthetic, and was featured on Pitchfork.
Quiksilver - Icons Are For Everyone
Quiksilver has been delivering the best of the best to surfers everywhere since 1969. Started originally as a company simply rooted in surf lifestyle, the company quickly evolved into an influential brand that provides high-quality fashion for those seeking performance and comfort in the world of adventure sports.
“Icons Are For Everyone” is a celebration of Pride and the leaders from the LGBTQ+ surfing community creating a more inclusive surfing culture. Mortis Studio worked with Stephen Milner, a California-based sculptor, photographer, painter, printmaker, and surfer to create the artist profile for Quiksilver.
Studio Number One - Obey Records
Sound and Vision was a solo art exhibition for artist Shepard Fairey. The video showcases the political, social, and particularly the musical influences on Fairey's work. Mortis Studio created a video piece bringing together the artworks of Shepard to coincide with a live performance by DJ Z-Trip. DJ Z-Trip mixed together Shepard’s record collection to provide an auditory layer to the art experience.
Frank Shepard Fairey is an American contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, illustrator, and founder of OBEY Clothing who emerged from the skateboarding scene.
Mortis Studio is heavily inspired by music and pop culture. This video was the perfect combination of both, creating the ambience and energy OBEY was looking for.
Find Mortis Studio & More Commissionable Artists at arthouse
The creative duo that makes up Mortis Studio are part of the arthouse community of commissionable artists, ready for hire. arthouse works as a partner to agencies, brands and artists alike, to strategize, shoot, film, draw, design and deliver content from every discipline for every platform on a per-project basis.
Mortis Studio is always looking for ways to collaborate and projects to produce.
