Posted by Nate Williams
Which commissions do you enjoy the most and which are the most beneficial to you, as a working designer / illustrator?
I’d love to do more book covers. I redesigned 6 John Steinbeck novels for Penguin Publishing. That was a dream job. It was such a pleasure working with the art director (John Hamilton). I had complete creative control and I just loved the outcome of the books.
more Questions and Answers with Kathryn Macnaughton
Posted by Nate Williams
How would you like your work to be used in the future?
Ideally, I’d like to be doing more creator-owned, self-initiated work. Client work is great and all that, but nowhere near as rewarding as doing your own thing. Ideally it would be great to be publishing my own books, writing and directing movies and animated projects, making weird products. In terms of client work, I’ve been lucky enough the past couple years to be getting a lot of the kind of work I really enjoy doing. The one project I’d love, though, that I have yet to get, is doing a movie poster. That would be really cool.
more Questions and Answers with Neil Swaab
Posted by Nate Williams
What is something new you have noticed or learned recently?
I’ve learned to say NO to things, projects, illustration and people whose vision I don’t share. I’ve noticed that it is almost always a good idea. An opportunity that doesn’t feel right is not an opportunity.
more Questions and Answers with Helen Dardik
Posted by Nate Williams
What do you think hinders creativity?
Focusing too much on the business side of the industry and losing sight of yourself. I’ve always been a huge advocate of improving your business skills, but it’s so easy to get too wrapped up in what you think will sell and trying to cater creatively to unseen forces outside of your own true vision.
more Questions and Answers with Thomas James
Posted by Nate Williams
Is your work more conceptual or decorative?
Conceptual. Maybe it’s just the way my mind works. I never decorate much of my personal things, I wear plain clothes, not that fond of stickers, and don’t like frosting on a cake… I like simple things. I like hand lettering and graffiti that I can read, bold lines, and solid colors. When it comes to illustrating something, I think it is important to get whatever point I make to be obvious, easy to read, bold, and all that kinda’ stuff. I want people that are seeing my work to know exactly what it’s for. No frills or confusion. PS… I do decorate my X-mas tree. Big time. That’s the exception.
more Questions and Answers with Jeff Meadows
Posted by Nate Williams
How did your childhood influence your decision to pursue illustration?
I grew up in an immigrant family with tired, strict parents that liked to read and sing. In many ways I found interest in art as an act of rebellion, and in other ways to continue their legacy of hard work and having fun where you can find it.
more Questions and Answers with Kenard Pak
Posted by Nate Williams
Which commissions do you enjoy the most and which are the most beneficial to you, as a working designer / illustrator?
I really prefer to work on a long-term project, like a movie or a book, rather than on multiple projects at the same time for different clients. It better suits my perfectionist personality and my interest in meeting new creators, and gives me more satisfaction in my artistic research.
more Questions and Answers with Janice Nadeau
Posted by Nate Williams
What makes a good conceptual illustration?
Combining 2 different objects from 2 different paradigms to create a new one that doesn’t exist for real, for example an apple that becomes a face.thinking out of the box, possibly to stay away from overseen concepts. Illustration is design and the mission of design is based on 2 very important principles: functionality and aesthetics so It’s supposed that a good image should have a sense and should be at least nice or, even better, beautiful.
more Questions and Answers with Emiliano Ponzi
Posted by Nate Williams
What do you think hinders creativity?
Fear and laziness. Fear: afraid of looking dumb, trying new things, thinking in new way, etc…Laziness: wanting to do something but not mustering the energy or desire or passion and just sticking with the norm/default “oh, tomorrow I’ll try THAT, for now I’ll just do THIS distracting thing again”. Your imagination develops when you work at it - it’s work - but the most fulfilling kind!
more Questions and Answers with Ohara Hale
Posted by Nate Williams
What do you think hinders creativity?
When you have to draw just to earn money and don’t get satisfaction of your work. I always try to find something new and enjoy the process even when I get really boring commission. If I can’t do this I decline the order. From my opinion, it’s a huge mistake to think that you can split your time for just making money and the rest to create something for your personal projects. The work just for money becomes more frequent while the time to create something new squeezes. So, I think It’s important to have a fun with any work you do.
More Questions and Answers with Victoria Semykina
