ITAP Lecture- Week 2

An understanding and knowledge of ‘an audience’ can enhance and focus the communication.

References: shelleyillustration.com

Audience is an integral part of an illustrators and designers work and success. In order to gain more success and trust from their chosen audience, they need to explore and really understand the needs of the audience. Experiment, get into the mindset of what it is they are looking for, as well as what is current, and your own style to “freshen” and “revitalise” an idea.

An example of this is illustrator John Shelley, who does children’s illustration most famously, and also character designs.  He prefers to produce hand rendered work, using pen and ink rather than digital which he tries to avoid. 

As well as this, his aim is to keep his images strong and memorable, which is vital to maintain attention and interest from a younger audience. Shelley’s work is detailed and full of character, as he liked to look at children’s novels and fantasy, which would suggest that a more “innocent and gentle” approach is being used for children . His detailed work is very complex in some ways that is original.

Most definitely the audience can specify what your style is suitable and what is appropriate, which is why John Shelley’s work really has the children at the forefront of the ideas and final outcome.

The notion of ‘inspiration’ derives from constant inquiry, based on research,

observation, recording and experimentation.

references: shaundoyle.co.uk, illustrophile.com

When an illustrator has an idea, they need something to help push it forward, and this can be in the form of experimenting with colour, texture, and media. But an important aspect is that of inspiration, and this could be from fellow illustrators and designers, as well as collecting items to use, for example flyers, leaflets, and other media.

Practically every illustrator applies some form of inspiration is used in their work, as it is a good way to improve and define their skills.

Through research, I have discovered illustrator Shaun Doyle, who creates hand drawings and computer work combined to create very textured work that’s very effective, which is broad and can be applied to all different areas of design.

I emailed Shaun Doyle to gain more information on his work and thought process, and gratefully he replied, saying;
“1. Experiences/events I hear about in which I think there is a great in image in there somewhere.
2. Vintage decorative type - I just think it’s great. Especially the type used on 1920's-50s products, food cans etc. I also love the textures created when the products have aged.
3. A little bit of music - not necessarily anything in particular but what I have playing at the time may affect the way in which an image develops.”

From actually hearing something from a real professional illustrator, it confirms that almost anything can create inspiration for an illustrator or designer, from all different walks of life, which enables us to see and understand their thoughts and passions in life.