Astrid's inspiration
Since my main audience at this point are women magazines, I'll talk about my inspiration there.
* The brief
Whether it's a clear idea from the magazine art director, a rough of the text, or an open brief with just a mention of the text theme, this input gets me started. I consider which target group the magazine has (young? girl next door? sophisticated upper class?...), and the feeling the magazine is looking for with the illustration (if they have such a request). Then, images automatically start forming in my head.
* going for a walk
I heard once it's scientifically proven that thought processes move easier when someone's walking, instead of just sitting around. So when I get stuck and ideas aren't immediately forming to something useful, I go for a walk, which helps a lot!
* sleep on it
If I have enough time, I like looking at the briefing on one day, and then start working on it on the next. The thoughts may follow me during the day, for instance when I'm in the shower, and often an idea forms in my head just when I'm not under pressure and trying to force it, but relaxing and thoughts are just flowing freely. Of course there isn't always enough time for this. If not, I'll do the walk thing, whenever I'm stuck.
* current fashion pictures
Often, clothing isn't overly important in my illustrations. I just sketch up whatever I think is cute or fits the overall illustration best, and get feedback from the magazine. Sometimes I need fresh ideas though, and so I'll start browsing on the internet for new clothing trends that a reader of the specific magazine would wear. That can vary greatly, depending on the magazine's audience structure. For instance,for the stylish home decor and lifestyle magazine DECO I'd look for clothing inspiration for a rather affluent woman, living in Germany, enjoying design and lifestyle, around 30-45 years old. For the magazine LAURA, I'll look more for the "girl next door" type of fashion, for readers of around 25-40 years, not too extravagant. Sites I may visit for clothing inspiration are Manolo's shoe blog, Vogue, Swiss woman magazine Annabelle, The budget Fashionista, and of course the website of the customer himself!
* other artists, for grown-ups:
As long as the inspiration is just "inspiration", and not copying, I think it's perfectly okay to look at other artist's work. There are many illustrators that make my heart beat faster: MargueriteSauvage.com, Tokidoki.it, AnjaKroencke.com, and many more.
* other artists, for children:
the cool illustrator ladies of IllustratorGroupSoup.com, jaimezollars.com, IllustrationGroup.com, Susan Mitchell's blog, and many more.
* inspirational websites:
Hulagirl Design blog, Drawn.ca, Sugarfrostedgoodness.com, TheLittleChimpSociety.com, and others. You find more inspirational links on my website, PotatoMammaDesign.com/links
* artists' portfolio sites
Here's a thought when you're stuck in your ways, or trying to get into a new field, or just trying to see what the market is doing. Check out portfolio sites like theispot.com, or Folioplanet.com.
* color inspiration
I usually choose my color themes according to the common color theory color wheel. Monochromatic, analogous, complimentary, triad themes... those were a revelation to me in art school! =). If you need more color inspiration, colorlovers.com may be worth looking into. A color networking website with fun potential.
* every day of my life:
I try walking around with my eyes open. There's tons of inspiration out there for illustrators, if you've got an open mind, and a curious mindset. You'll find new potential target markets, cool architecture inspiration for lifestyle illustration, new girlie book publishers' addresses, and more it's endless! I always have my digital camera on me, and something to write, business cards on me, and my cell phone. Sometimes (of course I'm thinking I'm very sleek that way, ;-)), I type in book publisher's addresses into my cell phone instead of on a notebook, when I'm in a book store. Seems less rude, and they hopefully don't guess what I'm doing that way ;-)
* The brief
Whether it's a clear idea from the magazine art director, a rough of the text, or an open brief with just a mention of the text theme, this input gets me started. I consider which target group the magazine has (young? girl next door? sophisticated upper class?...), and the feeling the magazine is looking for with the illustration (if they have such a request). Then, images automatically start forming in my head.
* going for a walk
I heard once it's scientifically proven that thought processes move easier when someone's walking, instead of just sitting around. So when I get stuck and ideas aren't immediately forming to something useful, I go for a walk, which helps a lot!
* sleep on it
If I have enough time, I like looking at the briefing on one day, and then start working on it on the next. The thoughts may follow me during the day, for instance when I'm in the shower, and often an idea forms in my head just when I'm not under pressure and trying to force it, but relaxing and thoughts are just flowing freely. Of course there isn't always enough time for this. If not, I'll do the walk thing, whenever I'm stuck.
* current fashion pictures
Often, clothing isn't overly important in my illustrations. I just sketch up whatever I think is cute or fits the overall illustration best, and get feedback from the magazine. Sometimes I need fresh ideas though, and so I'll start browsing on the internet for new clothing trends that a reader of the specific magazine would wear. That can vary greatly, depending on the magazine's audience structure. For instance,for the stylish home decor and lifestyle magazine DECO I'd look for clothing inspiration for a rather affluent woman, living in Germany, enjoying design and lifestyle, around 30-45 years old. For the magazine LAURA, I'll look more for the "girl next door" type of fashion, for readers of around 25-40 years, not too extravagant. Sites I may visit for clothing inspiration are Manolo's shoe blog, Vogue, Swiss woman magazine Annabelle, The budget Fashionista, and of course the website of the customer himself!* other artists, for grown-ups:
As long as the inspiration is just "inspiration", and not copying, I think it's perfectly okay to look at other artist's work. There are many illustrators that make my heart beat faster: MargueriteSauvage.com, Tokidoki.it, AnjaKroencke.com, and many more.
* other artists, for children:
the cool illustrator ladies of IllustratorGroupSoup.com, jaimezollars.com, IllustrationGroup.com, Susan Mitchell's blog, and many more.
* inspirational websites:
Hulagirl Design blog, Drawn.ca, Sugarfrostedgoodness.com, TheLittleChimpSociety.com, and others. You find more inspirational links on my website, PotatoMammaDesign.com/links
* artists' portfolio sites
Here's a thought when you're stuck in your ways, or trying to get into a new field, or just trying to see what the market is doing. Check out portfolio sites like theispot.com, or Folioplanet.com.
* color inspiration
I usually choose my color themes according to the common color theory color wheel. Monochromatic, analogous, complimentary, triad themes... those were a revelation to me in art school! =). If you need more color inspiration, colorlovers.com may be worth looking into. A color networking website with fun potential.
* every day of my life:
I try walking around with my eyes open. There's tons of inspiration out there for illustrators, if you've got an open mind, and a curious mindset. You'll find new potential target markets, cool architecture inspiration for lifestyle illustration, new girlie book publishers' addresses, and more it's endless! I always have my digital camera on me, and something to write, business cards on me, and my cell phone. Sometimes (of course I'm thinking I'm very sleek that way, ;-)), I type in book publisher's addresses into my cell phone instead of on a notebook, when I'm in a book store. Seems less rude, and they hopefully don't guess what I'm doing that way ;-)
2 Comments:
Love your inspiration. I feel we have a lot in common. Colourlovers is an interesting site, thanks for the link!
Thanks Leezy. Great to hear you like it! =)
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