You’ve clicked on the Why? button. So you are either having an existential crisis or are interested in finding out more about Airside Shop. Hopefully the following should be of use whatever your concern.

Airside Shop is the cunningly titled online retail wing of design company Airside. Formed a decade ago by Fred Deakin, Nat Hunter and Alex Maclean, Airside quickly established a reputation for creative, original and funny design, illustration and animation work for a range of clients: from bands like Lemon Jelly and Pet Shop Boys, to museum and galleries, boutique cake shops, charities and multi-national corporations. Now, having left their original dingy, dark yet homely basement, Airside is now based in a large-windowed studio in Islington, which receives so much light it’s like living on the sun.

But it’s not all client-this, blue-sky-that, perceived-customer-base-here nor interactive-consumer-there. Our creative team rock that stuff but every so often they need to let off brilliantly designed steam without someone with money in their pocket looking over their shoulder. And thus like a magnificent seventh-day afterthought, came Airside Shop.

Whether it’s a t-shirt, print, badge, toy or whatever, this is where our designers let loose. The brightest, darkest, funniest, most serious gorges of their mind are regularly excavated and transformed into top-notch designer products.

We are committed to producing high quality goods. All our t-shirts are printed on American Apparel clothing whom we like for the style, fit and durability of their t-shirts, as well as their ethical assurances of non-sweatshop production. In addition, as the choice of colours increases in their organic t-shirt range, we will be looking to go organic as much as possible. Our prints always use high quality art paper and with all other products we endeavour to use the best materials possible.

Like our parent company, Airside Shop is also committed to environmental issues and doing our bit to keep dystopian nightmares firmly in the fictional category. As we don’t have a real world shop, most of our products don’t come in unnecessary display packaging, while orders are dispatched in simple, reusable jiffy bags. We are also doing a lot of research into more environmentally friendly printing processes and encouraging our printers to develop better vegetable-based inks. Like everyone who is concerned about the environment, we still have our weakness, but are constantly looking to improve. Suggestions are always welcome.

So that is Why? If that hasn’t answered your question then best ask it. Our contact details are here.

Oh, and if you are still suffering from Existential issues, remember the words of the great C. Hawkes:
“I am the one and only. You can’t take that away from me.”