Formed in 2008 as a blog by Scott Tepper, Ignored Prayers was a virtual clubhouse for himself and his friends, where they could exchange obscure videos from the dark recesses of the internet, as a form of communication before the social media boom. Over time, Scott began sponsoring friends' art shows and releasing printed matter, like the Seasonal Depression zine, showcasing his friends' art.

Each piece of content and graphic output confronts taboo subjects, pulling from influences across a broad spectrum of found imagery on vintage t-shirts, product packaging, pop culture, counter culture and the underground; every design idea is approached with a DIY attitude and irreverent stance on politics, social norms and humour.

In 2016, after leaving his previous job as a creative director for HUF, Tepper launched Ignored Prayers as an official brand on Halloween, with a collection of jackets, sweats, t-shirts and assorted paraphernalia. 

Below, we asked Scott Tepper a few questions about how Ignored Prayers began and his influences...

When and how did you start Ignored Prayers?

Ignored Prayers began in 2008, initially as a blog that served as a means of communication between myself, having just moved to Los Angeles, and friends back home in NYC.  It was a before group text was an option and pre-social media… we used it as meeting place to share photos, music, art, dark humor & event flyers.  Eventually I would make some tees and zines under the IP name. I gave them out only to friends and family but people got wind of these and the demand grew.  My inbox blew up.  In 2017 I left my full-time design job to begin the next phase of Ignored Prayers as a brand.

Your blog digs deep into the obscure and eccentric content of the 80s and 90s. Are you naturally drawn to that era or is that something you consciously explore?

Yes to both.  Those 2 decades represent a time where you had to really seek things out.  Pre (or early) internet and pre-social media.  Authenticity was guarded and earned by dedication over time.  You could not just google a sub-culture and be instantly a part of it like you can today.  Those were eras very much rooted in the ethos of D.I.Y..  Also things were not as documented like they are today.  We did not have digital cameras and smart phones recording every little thing.  These little treasures I dig up are rare.  Nowadays, finding an article from a 1992 issue of The Face magazine on the Lo-Lifes in Brooklyn or footage from a Beastie Boys set circa a ’94 Lollapalooza show, these things get me hyped and I like to share them with anyone interested.  

Do you have a favourite creative era or movement?

That’s tough, but I tend to be drawn to movements that at their time went against the grain.  Post-Modernism, Dadaism, Surrealism… most of the ’ism’s actually..  I tend to dig for design and typography books from the late 60’s - early 70’s. I really appreciate the individualism that the 80’s represented. You had the Memphis Design Movement and Pop Art took off.  80’s skate culture was what really influenced me to where I am now.   I appreciate the rebellious nature of that time across many genres.  But without a doubt the 90’s probably had the greatest impact on me.  Music and fashion wise.  I associate the 90’s with a lot of freedom.  No cell phones, no email blasts.  I spent most of this era smoking weed, painting graffiti, racking and skating... so that is probably why I romanticize it so much.    

I think blogs are still very important, in this day and age, to express an idea…what are your thoughts on the blog in the current social media obsession? 

I feel like a majority of the really solid blogs fell off when the social media boom hit.  A lot of people abandoned their sites and tumblr feeds to pursue social media “fame”.  All that stuff can be a slippery slope… a gift and a curse.  Pre-social media, I had already felt a way about culture vultures swooping in, using the the internet to research a sub-culture and then trying to claim it without paying dues.  I do feel we will see the social media wave crash somewhat with people looking to disconnect a bit.  I also feel that platforms like Twitter and Instagram are limiting in telling a whole story.  Some topics deserve more than 144 characters.  I feel blogs can be a super important source of education and a means to preserve history.  I definitely value them.

Did IP start out as a community of friends communicating as a blog?

Yeah, I moved to LA in 2007 for work and I really missed home (NY).  I would constantly be hitting up friends back east, but this was pre smart phones and the ability to share stuff was super limited.  We were still worried about exceeding our minutes!  Then we found out about blogspot.  Right away a friend of mine and I set one up and began filling it with the gnarliest and most interesting shit we could find.  We definitely got dark on there.  It really ran the gamut from dark dark humor to like an mp3 download link of an obscure Nas freestyle recorded off the radio in 1995.  It was only intended for like 6 people.  Very quickly it just spiraled out and a lot of people began checking for it.  Early on I fully took over all posting duties and friends would supply me with content.  After that it just organically became a community of like-minded people around the world.  

Did you grow up reading comics? if so, what was your favourite series?

I was super into comics growing up and I still love them.  I read X-Men, Wolverine of course.  Loved the Alien vs. Predator books, Darkhorse titles, all that.  Spawn and all of the early Image stuff.  But Punisher was my guy.  I used to redraw all the guns in the Punisher War Journals.   That and Akira.  Akira had a huge influence my life.

What are your current influences?

Jun Takahashi, Nam June Paik, poorly hand painted signage & my friends.

Has designing changed from when you were at HUF to now, doing your own things at IP?

Yes… although the early days at HUF felt similar.  We had a lot of creative freedom when I first began there.  Over time I began to feel burnt out there and the freedom we once enjoyed was slowly diminishing.  Ignored Prayers became a breath of fresh air.  I feel alive again with it and I can get ideas out without any interference.  I got into design because I just really like designing and making stuff.  I never really got into it to make a ton of money or anything.  IP now gives me a structure, it allows me full creative freedom and provides an opportunity work with talented friends without ever being asked “how many followers do they have?  Is this a good look?”  Hate that shit.  Literally we get an idea and we just make it, no bullshit.  An idea can materialize and become available in week or so!  I feel recharged again working on IP. 

What’s on current rotation on your music player/playlist?

Clean White Linens -  https://soundcloud.com/cleanwhitelinens

DJ Screw - All Screwed Up Vol. 2

Do you have any favourite vintage t-shirts you own?

Not sure if I have just one favorite but I really like this one Natural Born Killers tee.  The art is really sick.  That and I like obscure camouflage.  This one is an early version of the Predator Desert Camo I found digging around up in Portland.

What’s one item you want, but has been elusive to get?

More so than clothes I tend to search for books, magazines and furniture these days.  Design annuals and obscure typography books from the late 60’s and early 70’s. Magazines from the 90’s like Grand Royal, On The Go, The Face.  Been trying to complete a set of Wet Look spray paint cans from the 60’s… about 5 or 6 to go.  Oh and actually I have been looking for this one New Order poster designed by John Baldessari.  No luck so far but I haven’t abandoned hope yet!  I feel good about it… only a matter of time now.

Images: Scott Tepper/Ignored Prayers

Interview: Anthony Kwang