DD2000: David Hughes visit

My peers and I (and most of graphic design, too) were visited by David Hughes, who can be considered one of the most experienced local illustrators in the business. Hughes began the talk by admitting that there was a 13 year gap in which he didn't work, which shows that none of us should expect work as soon as we leave uni. Sure, I imagine most of us will, but I digress. Hughes claims he began his art and design career at about 16 years old, a circumstance I can relate to. I never really considered becoming a designer or illustrator until the last year or two of high school; truth be told, I would have probably ended up on a science career path.

Hughes showed us a slideshow of his work throughout the talk, showing the contrast between his more complex detailed work, and the simple nature of his book 'Walking the Dog', etc. Hughes heavily insisted that the best work comes from artists and designers that have fun and indulge themselves, as opposed to those who treat their discipline as a sort of chore. One such example of this, Hughes told us, is when he would collect the carcasses of sea birds, and pieces of flotsam and driftwood, to use in his work. Amusingly, one of these pieces had to be thrown out, due to the dead gull being full of maggots and other writhing creatures.

Hughes' work is universal in the way that it can be used for anything, from advertising, to editorial, to children's books, and so on. Whilst still retaining the Hughes look, the way in which the work is presented, coloured, etc, can change the tone of a piece instantly.

To say that we were privileged to have Hughes come in and talk to us, is a gross understatement. Even the tutors present said it was probably the most important talk I will ever hear in terms of illustration, and with complete honesty, I agree. 
 

DD2000: Fig Taylor's Visit

Our class was visited by Fig Taylor today, a well respected illustration agent, and member of AOI; the Association Of Illustrators.

The initial purpose of Taylor's visit was to discuss portfolios, and how they should be arranged if we are to achieve the best results in interviews with clients and agencies.

Taylor started the talk by outlining the unfortunate truth; there are a lot more illustrators than there are illustration jobs in the UK, confirming what I have heard many times, that getting work as an illustrator or designer is quite difficult. Apparently, it's not bad in countries like Australia, but this means almost anything goes, thus letting a lot of bad design getting through.

Taylor then went on to discuss the ideal arrangement of portfolios, giving lots of helpful hints which I'm sure will cause most of the class to start taking things out right away. One such piece of advice is to not be too assertive when it comes to tutors overlooking your portfolio; if there's something in there that they like, but personally you don't think it represents your style, you should probably take it out, or at least move it towards the back of the portfolio. It is also worth moving any published or particularly relevant work to the front, to give your clients a concise idea of how you work.

There are a number of things Taylor covered, some of them fairly basic, like keeping a compact portfolio, like A3 or A4, because not all art directors have a lot of room for a colossal A2 or even A1 portfolio. Taylor also decided it was worth pointing out that, essentially, some clients really do not know a thing about illustration or design, but just as many are on the ball, and know exactly what's current, and that's what they'll be looking for in our portfolios. Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean we have to conform to a new style, especially if we don't really like it. Going back to what I've been told for a long time, style isn't important. According to Taylor, it's that individual way of working that's going to make your work stand out in the middle of hundreds, maybe thousands of other submissions.

It was indeed a privilege to have Fig Taylor visit us today, and I think I speak for most of the class when I say we have gained a lot of information, and I'm sure it has quelled the fears most of my colleagues have (myself included) when it comes to what to do after university.