Examples of illustration as an applied art

Nomar Bar's illustration as been applied to a book cover. The design works well because of the subtle composition. The abstract, simple structure creates a sense of urgence to read the book and find out what its really about. 

This watermelon illustration has been applied to a pencil case. It serves the role of being aesthetically pleasing, appealing more to the younger generation. I think the product is very successful as it shows a real sense of humour and character. The contrasting colours work really well creating a striking image.








This Sailor Jerry's illustration has been applied to a rum bottle, used for branding. The illustration corresponds well with the text, creating a character, representing the title 'sailor jerry's' well, with the drawing of a sailor. The limited colour palette of more dark and warm colours creates a real sense of sophistication - the reds really stand out against a black background. I think the product is really successful as the striking illustration really draws you towards the product.









This Roy Litchenstein illustration has been applied to a shoe. This serves a purpose of fashion promotion. The pop art design makes the item stands out and creates an edgy, comical outlook. The overall shoe is well composed and would appeal to more of the nerdy type of person, someone who is into their comics of perhaps someone who enjoys the visual, aesthetic aspect of the shoe.









This cat illustration has been applied to a water bottle. The cute little illustration makes the water bottle appeal more to the younger generation, along with the pastel colours.  I like how there is a little narrative going on within the bottle, makes the bottle have a lot of character, engaging to viewer and drawing them to see what is happening.

Illustration as an applied art

What does this mean?

Serves a purpose - differentiation from Fine art, has a bridge. The bridge between idea and audience. Working for/with people, communication, function. Illustration can be applied to so many different items.

Practice 2

Noma bar - Illustrator

Influences:

'Charlie Chaplin would be my first choice for the ability to entertain without using a words'

Quote from Oliver Wainwright (writer) - 'Bar's images have an uncanny likeness, given that they generally employ just a few shapes and lines.'

What I love most about Bar's work is the simplicity of shapes and colours. I like how the image itself is fairly simple but at closer observation, the image starts to become more complex with a lot going on. I really like the combinations of two subjects in some of his work, corresponding so nicely together creating one strong image.

His pictograms are digitally created but he starts off with rough sketches.

He has worked for Time Out London, BBC, Random House, The Observer, The Economist and Wallpaper. Bar has illustrated over 100 magazine covers, published over 550 illustrations and released two books of his work through Mark Batty Publisher: Guess Who - The Many Faces of Noma Bar and Negative Space.

Bar has an overriding theme which is hiding images within images. His work related to some of the stuff I've been doing in terms of composition. I like to use simple shapes to create pieces of art as i feel it is more striking and abstract. His use of bright contrasting colours also links quite well with some of the work I've been doing.

Practice

What is practice?

Methods and processes, job, occupation, Hobby, something you do all the time.

Expanding knowledge, illustrative approach to ideas. Influences, application, ideas, methods. Translate a subject. Involves clients/projects.

Style?

Individual takes on...

Personal expression, visual language, Tone of voice.

Individual tasks on problem solving for clients/brief. Personality, Ideology, Life experiences.

Level 5 & 6 Inspiration

This is a collage of a ladybird using coloured card. What really drew me to this particular piece of art is the fragmented colours. The shapes correspond nicely with one another creating quite a cohesive structure. The bright colours add well to this coherence. The colour conveys a sense of significance and power, with the brightness portraying deadly poison. In contrast to this, the colour portrays a real sense of happiness with hippy vibes - making it very aesthetically pleasing.

This is a meticulous drawing. The attention to detail is something which i was very much drawn to, I really like the powerful tonal values making the image somewhat striking. The unfinished look creates a strong focal point towards the centre of the image. .  

Study Task 1 - Image, Idea, Context

These are pieces of print made by 'The Print Company' by designers Nick Loaring and Lucy Johnson. I found this in 'Skinny', an independent culture journal. I feel the success is mainly due to the simplicity of the design and the selected colours used. Most of the designs have a very limited colour palette which allow the print to become more meaningful and have a greater significance. The designers use six letterpress machines and a vast collection of wood and metal type to hand craft these high quality vibrant prints. The prints are also used for gig posters for local promoters Golden Cabinet. I chose this specific piece of work purely because of the aesthetic The  minimalist style, alongside the bright use of colour is something which really inspires me. Much of my work relates to this simplistic process, but with more of a complex meaning within it - a simple design with multiple perspectives and ambiguous meanings.