Faces of HAAM: Fumihito Sugawara
HAAM musician and artist Fumihito Sugawara of Fumanstudios
Ever wonder what happens when you mix Austin's legendary music scene with a whole lot of heart? You get HAAM and all the musicians, DJs, music teachers, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners who have supported access to healthcare and essential services for our local music community since 2005.
For the past 20 years, HAAM has been working to ensure our city's incredible musicians can get the healthcare they need without missing a beat. To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we commissioned HAAM musician and artist Fumihito Sugawara to design a special logo for HAAM. Fumihito’s logo design features bold colors and a modern take on our iconic logo design to represent our vision to continue the HAAM mission into the next twenty years!
We asked Fumihito Sugawara of Fumanstudios about his background as a musician and artist, and how his experience as a HAAM musician has shaped his creative work. If you've ever wondered what HAAM actually means to the musicians it serves, read our Q&A below!
How did you get started in music, and where do you like to play in Austin?
My initial inspiration was witnessing my older brother practice and perform a Japanese folk/ pop music performance using an acoustic guitar. I think I was 13. I admired him and wanted to learn how to play, too. Soon after, however, I happened across the song "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple, and a profound love of the electric guitar took root and never wavered. The general path I followed was a high school thrash metal band, a move from Japan to Chicago to learn the blues, and then a move to Austin so I could play everything else. Austin, at that time, had the reputation as the most musically creative city, and live music was an ordinary part of the lifestyle here. I have played in most every type of band and most every type of place, and loved it all. Lately, my favorite venue is the Jewel of the East side: Sahara Lounge. They have an incredibly skilled and talented musical community there, which is also very warm and sincere. I also love seeing people engage with live music and dance.
How did you get started in art and design?
Fumihito’s 2015 poster design for Corporate Battle of the Bands
I was the kid in class doodling on their textbook. I also had the good fortune of having to practice Japanese calligraphy every day while growing up, since my mother is a master calligrapher (teacher) and insisted on it. On the more personal side, I always loved 'film noir' movie posters, illustrations in books, and even store signs. The path to the type of design and animation I do now has been a twisty one, and involved font-making, European calligraphy, photography, a stint in collage art, and even some painting.
My first real public design debut was a poster I created for HAAM’s Battle of the Bands in 2015. I submitted a poster for that contest using free online software and ended up winning first prize! This event changed the course of my life. Since then, I have been working as a graphic artist (when I am not onstage as a musician), and even have my own company now: Fumanstudios. So, thank you HAAM!
What are your favorite design projects to work on and why?
So many of my favorite projects have been in collage-style music videos, album covers, and logo designs over the last ten years. Doing album covers is probably the most satisfying because I get to be a part of a creative milestone in someone else's life, which will last through several generations, as music tends to do. Also, making my own style of collage animations for songs is both challenging and fun. I get to turn music into something visual, and I do it collaboratively, getting ideas and inputs from the musicians that created the songs.
However, I did enjoy designing HAAM’s 20th anniversary logo, and the cover for their annual report because after ten years, I was able to work with them again! Thank you so much to Doug Leveton, who recommended me to HAAM, and Bailey Morrison, who worked with me patiently.
What has your experience been like as a HAAM member?
Being an artist in Austin has its challenges, especially when it comes to healthcare. I’ve always struggled to afford basic medical care while juggling multiple jobs. HAAM has always been by my side when I need help. I became seriously ill and was hospitalized for ten days in 2017, and without HAAM’s support, I would have been overwhelmed by the financial difficulty. I will be forever grateful for the assistance I received then. HAAM has helped me stay healthy and keep doing what I love. I am extremely grateful for everything HAAM does for the Austin music community.
After all, who really cares for artists in Austin besides our mom and HAAM?