NOTE: The client chose a different color combination for the final piece .. but this one is my favorite .. but hey I’m colorblind so what do you expect?

Another variation before we added more text and changed some characters.

Another giveaway!!!! Nate you sooooooo crazy!

What: I am giving away 3 pillows . (your choice)

About: When I was working in a corporate environment we measured everything …  ROI (return on investment) was king—finding a way to measure a campaign’s success was extremely important. We ran usability tests, held focus groups, reviewed eye tracking studies, analyzed statistics, tracked youth macro/micro trends, and much more … I think that information was very valuable but I felt we put far too much emphasis on things that were easy to measure, and not enough on things that were less calculable and more intuitive—things that live on the subconscious level.

And so, in response to this deliberate environment, I launched my own zine. Hola Amiga was about doing exactly what I wanted—for some or absolutely no concrete reason at all. And it was about not having to explain why I did what I chose to do. It was about nurturing and exploring the subconscious realm, all in a very low tech way.

How: To enter, leave a comment on the following:  ”When  do you trust your gut over your brain?”.

When: On March 1st 2010 I will randomly select 3 people from below and mail each person a pillow of their choosing.

Rules: Just one comment per person on this page http://www.n8w.com/wp/2725.

The lecture will be complemented by a print signing by the artist.
The Society will host a Wine and Cheese Networking Reception from 8:30 – 10pm for art directors and illustrators.

$15 non-members $10 members $7 students Limited to 120 people.

RSVP jessica@societyillustrators.org or call 212 838 2560 www.societyillustrators.org

What: I am giving away 5 sets of  Ecojot  journals I illustrated . (Each set includes 2 journals)
How: To enter, leave a comment on the following: What is your favorite quote? (funny, inspirational, whatever) For example “I intend to live forever – so far, so good.” –Stephen Wright
When: On January 1st, 2010 I will randomly select 5 people from below and mail each person 2 journals when they are available.
Rules: Just one comment per person on this page http://www.n8w.com/wp/2519. The journals will need to be mailed to an address within the United States or Canada.

Available for Retail
If you are you interested in carrying this product in your shop, please make a retail request here.

To learn more about this environmentally progressive company, Ecojot, be sure to check out:
www.ecojot.com

“It always seems impossible until it’s done. ”
-Nelson Mandela

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
-Ghandi

“He who plants a tree plants hope.”
-Lucy Larcom

“Dreams are necessary to life.”
-Anaïs Nin

Ser y Grafia by Estúdio Diálogo, Sao Paulo – BRAZIL with the support of the Secretaría de Sao Paulo Collective silkscreen project between the cities of Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires with 8 artists from each city Collaborative curation by Estúdio Diálogo (SP) and Tristan Rault (BA)

Buenos Aires artists: Laura Varsky Nate Williams Chu DOMA Tester RDW Gustavo Eandi Zear FC Matías Malizia Tristan Rault

Ser Y Grafia group show in São Paulo, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina

What do you mean by  “style” ?

• The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed:
• Sort; type:
• Feeling/Tone

A lot of artists have trouble committing to one style  because it  goes against an artist’s nature of exploring, being curious and not limiting their expression to one voice. I struggled with this question for a long time.  After working a number of years as a designer and art director  it became clear to me why having a “style” would help my illustration career.

First, I would just like to show you some illustrators with very strong styles.

Jordin Isip

http://illoz.com/jordinisip/

Red Nose Studios aka Chris Sickels

http://www.rednosestudio.com

Kevin Dart

http://www.kevindart.com

Michael Slack

http://www.slackart.com

Silvia Dekker

http://www.silviadekker.nl/

Glenn Jones

http://www.glennz.co.nz

“Style” isn’t only  visual … for example, when you think of Glenn Jones you think of creative funny concepts.

Modern Dog

http://www.moderndog.com

Now I would like to show you some work examples from the world renowned design studio Modern Dog. Illustration is a huge part of what makes Modern Dog who they are.  They create 99% of their illustration work  in house and have a wide range of illustration styles.

So you are probably wondering “How does Modern Dog have success with so many styles?” To understand their success you just need to look at the typical process. They are playing more roles than just an illustrator.  Most of the time they are a design agency that hires themselves as an illustrator .. and they choose the best “sytle” for the project.

Process

NOTE: I know this process varies .. but for the sake of simplicity I broke it down to 4 simple stages

#1 – Idea

The idea usually starts as a text document … it could be a strategy brief, creative brief, power point slide outlining marketing/business objectives, etc
The “Idea Person” could be an Editor, Marketeer, Creative Director, Writer, etc

#2 – Art Direction

The art director is like a bridge between the “Idea Person” and the designer.  They outline the artistic/visual direction that supports/reinforces the idea.

#3 – Designer’s Toolbox

Based of the art director’s vision the designer chooses possible illustrators that reinforce the art directors vision.

#4 – The Illustrator

The illustrator brings the idea to life

Conclusion

When an illustrator is approached by a client  what is the client usually looking for?

They are usually looking for one of the following:

• Feeling (subscious) - visual aesthetic, a tone, a mood
• Thought (conscious)-  a creative way to visualize a concept, idea, subject matter
• Subject Matter – an expert in a specific subject matter  (ie: famous people, medical illustration,  etc)

How can they find it?

• Consistency / Predictability
• As an illustrator, art directors hire you because they want to give a project a specific tone, feeling and they need to be able to count on your work being a certain way for their project, campaign, etc. It’s kind of like choosing a font.  Imagine if you bought a Metallica CD and it was full of acoustic Bolivian folk music .. you would be kind of confused??? Art directors usually don’t want to play “style roulette”. This doesn’t mean you can’t do other styles…it just means when you present them to clients have consistency between the bodies of work. A number of illustrators, writers, and musicians work under various names for this vary reason. For example, my other style .. or alter ego is Alexander Blue. This is a wackier, colorful style geared for kids.
• I recommend reading The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al Ries and Laura Ries

Does having a “Style” = never changing, never growing?

• No, it just means have consistency between the bodies of work you present. (ie Nate Williams, Alexander Blue .. both me .. just grouped accordingly)

“Style” Related Polls

Here are some style related polls I’ve conducted on  illustrationmundo.com

If you are in Buenos Aires and dig Mexican Food …  check it out

Loca Chihuahua
Vidal 2600
esq Roosevelt
Belgrano
4547-0323

Tue thru Sun 20-24 hs

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Lettering used in context