Felicita Sala

I was recommended that I look at Felicita Sala as part of my Cop research and I've just fallen in love with her work.

Last year I was really stubborn in my practice and in terms of what medium I'd work with. However, although this year I've seen myself work primarily digitally, I've started playing around with shape and texture. This is all down to illustrators like Felicita Sala.

She mostly works with coloured pencils, creating tone and texture. It's her recipe illustrations that I love the most. I really like drawing small things like objects or bits of food rather than illustrating a scene for example. So it that sense our work is similar as she draws bits and bobs and I love it! Her work feel really organic! I like how they're not drawn exactly how the object looks but is a little wonky or misshapen.

Domareen Fox Gif

I just really wanted to share this because it's so simple but is so good! It also shows I feel pretty much all the time haha. I really want to get better at gifs and digital work. My animation for moving pictures was all made from shape and collage so I didn't trust my ability enough to do a digital drawing. Maybe this is something I will try in the future?

Promo Pack mockup based on Cop folder

I recently submitted my Cop module and I was so happy with it! One thing that worked really well was the folder that I made. I thought I'd take the same design and expand on it for my promo pack.

Mockup Promo Pack:

I've based this on my Cop folder design but expanded on it. I have taken away the side edges so it's flatter for when it's posted to people. I've also added an extra section on the bottom that once glued acts as an area to slot in my CV and examples of my work in. There will be slits cut so that I can slot in my business card on the front. This is my favourite bit as I think it looks professional and a clever way to add my business in.

RIFLE PAPER CO.

Rifle Paper Co are very well known and popular. They produce a wide range of illustrated products including gift wrap, notepad and calendars. I've been looking at their illustrations and products as part of my research in to OUIL505 as I intend to produce a similar range of products in my own style of work. Looking at their website I can really see the range that can be achieved through product and packaging. This area of illustration is something I've always been interested in so maybe this is what I could aim my practice towards.

Domareen Fox

I want to get better at my digital skills and want to try produce work that is purely digital. For this I wanted to download some textured photoshop brushes and Aggy recommended that I look at Domareen Fox and download her free brushes as they are what she uses!

I had a look at her work and I love what she can achieve on photoshop. Here is a link to her tumblr. 

t was mainly her character design that interested me, but I like her other works too. I'm currently working on my Alice brief so looking at illustrators like is really inspiring!

Thoughts:

• Must catch the eye and begin to 'sell' a potential employee
• Contain specific information such as experience and understanding of personal goals and achievements.
• Communicate quickly, that include something interesting about the applicant
• Must stand out
• It is important to communicate both visually and with the written work in a professional presentation.

Initial content for my CV:

Profile:
I am a productive, self-motivated, enthusiastic and creative individual. I am both organised and work well to deadlines. Although generally quite independent, I also work well alongside other people and is reliable, responsible and have good communication skills. I have a friendly and open personality, enjoy challenge and acquisition of new skills. 

Education:

BA Hons Illustration

Leeds College of Art 2013 - present

Art and Design Foundation Diploma: Distinction 

New College Nottingham

A-Level: Double Art and Design (A,B), Media Studies (B)

New College Nottingham

12 GCSEs, 3 A*s, 1 A, 3 Bs, 3 C, 

South Wolds Community School

Previous Employment and Work Experience: 

October 2009 – Nottingham Evening Post 

During work experience I worked with the graphic designers producing adverts and web banners. Gained a bit on knowledge on Adobe Flash and Indesign

June 2011 - Present - Fred Hallams Ltd. 

Sales assistant, sorting and dealing with money, taking calls and handling orders. This job has helped me gain confidence with working with others and people skills.

June 2013 - January 2014 - Bakerdays

By communicating via email, I drew and digitally enhanced designs such as celebrities to go on top of cakes. It taught me the importance of client/employer communication and time keeping. 

Creative Skills:

• Good computer skills
• Familiarity with Adobe programs
• Attentive eye for detail
• Good eye for layout and composition
• Good eye for colour
• Good drawing skill

Attributes:

• Good time management
• Effective problem solver
• Approachable personality
• Responsible
• Team player

Interests: 
When I'm not working on my upcoming deadlines I enjoy travelling, skiing, photographing, watching, drawing, painting, spending, and sleeping.

References: Available on request

Chabe Escalante

Chabe Escalante is someone I came across on Instagram and loved her character design. So I checked out her Tumblr and it's full of wonderful illustrations. Her final works are mainly digitally illustrated but it shows some of her initial sketches too. I love the textures she gets from the brushes she uses on photoshop. I've been trying to get better at my digital work for my Alice brief so I'm looking at illustrators like her for inspiration. Her tumblr shows her development process from initial sketches to final work which I love to see. I love learning about other illustrators process and the stages of their work.

I particularly like the way she managing to create the look of light hitting the girls face which she does often in her other pieces. This is something I really want to practice on and learn!!

Promo Pack Research

Follow Rebecca's board promo pack ideas on Pinterest.


I've looked at some promo pack and format ideas for inspiration. I don't want to make something too complicated that I might make a mess off as it won't look professional. I also want to make something simple as if I need to make a lot of them myself, they need to be quick and easy to make.

Emailing Illustrators

As part of my research I wanted to get a better idea of the industry and information that will help me pick a suitable audience for my products. I felt that a great way to do this was to email some working illustrators that specialise in illustrated products as they'll be able to give me informed answers.

I've asked them all a list of questions relating to their practice and experience:

1. Who is your most popular target market? Who is most likely to buy your work?

2. How do you research the current market? 

3. Freelance illustration is very competitive and I know it’s hard for people starting out to get their work noticed. How did you start your own freelance business and shop and how do you maintain its success? 

4. How do your find your clients? How do you get your work noticed?

5. Who and what are your influences?

6. Finally, do you have any advice for someone starting out like me?

Here is my email below:

So far I've received one reply from 'Clara Works', a freelance illustrator and letterer. She's given me some really helpful answers. She's also some other illustrators that I can look at for inspiration. 

In terms of audience, she said that 'the stationery buyers tend to be younger women, but I've found my lettering work and art prints have attracted more men. Ideally I'm looking for a more even balance - there's definitely a market for men's paper goods, and I'd like to tap into that more'.

She recommended flowing stationary blogs such as Oh So Beautiful Paper and Paper Crave, so I will give them a look!

I'm so pleased she's taken the time to give me some great answers. They'll inform both my research for this brief and my overall practice.

Clara's reply:

Cv Inspiration

Follow Rebecca's board CV on Pinterest.


I've been looking at Creative CV ideas and formats. I want to make something quite simple so it just slots in to my promo pack.

What should your identity convey about you? 
- Should be clear that I'm an illustrator and what my work is like. 


Is it actually important to have an identity as an illustrator
- yes, it's clear to the client what kind of work I do. I need to distinguish myself from other illustrators.


What could be included in your pack and why?
- business card- something with my details and style on that I have on my all the time incase I meet people.
- CV- Show what work I've done
- Examples of work- to show what kind of what I do. Where my work exists.


What are you wanting to achieve by producing promotional items?
- something that illustrates me and is unique to me
- something that stands out
- something that people will want to keep
- something consistent across all media platforms
- more clients

Business Card Ideas

Follow Rebecca's board Business cards on Pinterest.

I've been looking at business cards for inspiration.