if you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.
a one degree increase will be more later. (think of it as an angle... the further from the starting point, the higher you get.)
Some Rules
not rigid, more of a process.
integrate these into your workflow
everything feels awkward at first
Project Prep & Research -A solid foundation
understand client expectations/purpose/target
understand the personality of the client. define it with a creative brief.
use photo reference to know what to draw.
- pick up on the attributes of objects
- use your own pics
- blow it out in PS
- movies (combine with your own source files)
- from the client
Style Selection - Does the style fit?
(personality & target)
- will the target audience embrace it?
- can apply to typographical illustration
**core concept is the body, style is how you clothe it.**
- can you pick the wrong style? yes.
Thumbnail Sketching - The lost art
- many old rules have fallen to the wayside. this one shouldn’t.
- **our industry may be digitally driven, but the best ideas are usually driven in analog.**
- you can never have too many ideas. do a “brain dump.” no bad ideas at this point. it’s OK to rip yourself off.
- work out concepts
- isolate your strongest directions
- refinement (clean up the best ideas) finish strong. be more specific about shape/content. clarity of comm. improve your art. art direct yourself. layering. when in doubt, redraw.
- use the “Fresh Eyes” effect. walk away for a while, come back to it. ideally, next day.
- avoid visual tension. either commit to it, or back off.
- think in shapes. rather than lines. ex: draw it in shapes
Build Your Artwork
leave no room for guess work
become a bezier curve Jedi. (logo lettering bible by leslie cabanga) putting your handles at 90 deg parallel angles.
symmetry is your friend. 2x the speed, 1/2 the price.
pay attention to the details.
Final Art & Beyond
continue your growth
only show your strongest ideas.
stay creatively consistent. the more you do it, the easier it becomes. not every project will go smoothly. (search for “switch” on artbackwash.)
have FUN. :)
www.illustrationclass.com
q&a
best process if no formal design bg?
apprenticeship. work with others.
what tools?
uses a mouse. used a wacom before but carpal tunnel.
negative space?
not really. mostly logo design. rarely gets to see the finished product.
font choices/uses?
on logos: we have “crutch” types...be aware of that. just cycle thru fonts. organize files by style. for logos, customize the font. hand-letter the fonts.
you’re an expert until you work for a church. how do you avoid situations where you become a risk?
“this font looks evil” “how can you say it’s evil?” ... try to give them it from the end customer’s point of view. look at it from the everyday person, who uses your services, perspective.
giving them 4 comps? how many comps should you do?
kinda depends on your relationship with the client. talk about it upfront. give reasons why you need to limit.
how do you try not to offend?
use humor. make ‘em cringe but make ‘em smile. keep your sense of humor, but explain why. simplify things. people don’t understand industry speak.
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