Finding a style

What makes an illustration stand out from the rest? It is the artistic style employed by the artist that helps to give the image its unique look. This is probably the most common question I get when people view my work and the most challenging aspect for me as an illustrator. There's no magic formula for finding your own graphic style. It's a combination of who you are, what you like, and what you're good at. However, there are a few things you can do to help develop your own style:

1. Define your goals. What do you want your style to communicate? What feeling do you want it to evoke? Keep these goals in mind as you experiment with different techniques and styles.

2. Study the work of others. Find artists whose work you admire and try to understand what it is about their work that appeals to you. Then see if you can incorporate some of those elements into your own work.

3. Be patient. Developing a strong sense of style takes time and practice. Don't be discouraged if your early attempts don't quite look the way you want them to. Just keep working at it and eventually, your unique style will emerge.

4. Start making your own toolbox: A traditional illustrator toolbox is made up of several essential items: a sketchbook, pencils, pens, erasers, and a ruler. These items are necessary for any illustrator to create their work. Sketchbooks are where most artists keep their ideas and sketches. They come in a variety of sizes, but an A5 size is a good general size to start with. Pencils are used for sketching out initial ideas and making preliminary drawings. A variety of pencils with different lead hardness can be useful, from 2H to 6B. Pens are used for more detailed line work and can be found in various thicknesses and nib sizes. Erasers are important for making corrections and modifying drawings. A kneaded eraser is especially handy as it can be shaped into various forms to erase small or large areas accurately. A ruler is also useful for drawing straight lines and measuring proportions.

Ways to Find Inspiration

If you're struggling to find inspiration for your graphic style, here are a few tips and tricks that may help:

1. Take a look at other artists' work. This can be a great way to get some ideas and see what styles you like.

2. Experiment with different mediums and techniques. Don't be afraid to try something new - you never know what you might come up with!

3. Use reference materials. Whether it's photos, sketches, or even just words, getting some visual references can help Spark your creativity.

4. Take breaks. Sometimes the best way to find inspiration is to take a step away from your work. Go for a walk, watch a movie, or read a book. When you come back to your project with fresh eyes, you may be surprised at what you come up with.

What to Consider When Designing a Piece

Before you even start thinking about what your graphic piece will look like, you need to take some time to consider the purpose of the piece and who your audience is. Once you have a good understanding of these factors, you can start exploring different design options that will help you communicate your message effectively.

Some things you may want to consider when designing a piece include:

-The overall tone or mood you want to convey

-The specific message you are trying to communicate

-Who your target audience is and what they are looking for

-What kind of reaction or response you want from your audience

-What kind of emotions do you want to evoke in your audience?

Consider all of these factors before settling on a final design for your piece. The more thought you put into it upfront, the better the final result will be.

Finding Your Unique Voice

If you're reading this, chances are that you're a creative person with a passion for art and design. Finding your own unique graphic style can be a daunting task, but it's definitely achievable with a bit of hard work and determination. Here are some tips, tricks and process tips to help you find your own graphic style:

1. Take inspiration from everywhere: the world is your oyster when it comes to finding inspiration for your artwork. Whether it's nature, architecture, fashion or music, there's no shortage of places to look for visual inspiration.

2. Experiment with different mediums and techniques: don't be afraid to experiment with different mediums and techniques until you find something that feels right for you. It's all about trial and error until you find a style that works best for you.

3. Be yourself: ultimately, your goal should be to create artwork that represents who you are as an individual. Don't try to copy someone else's style – focus on developing your own unique voice.

4. Keep practicing: the more you practice, the better you'll become at finding and refining your own personal style. Never give up – keep pushing yourself creatively and eventually you'll get there!

Conclusion & Resources

When it comes to developing a graphic style, there is no single correct way to do things. However, there are some helpful tips, tricks and general process considerations that can help you find and hone your own personal style.

Think about the kind of work you want to produce and what styles appeal to you. Do some research and looking around for inspiration. Experiment with different techniques and approaches until you find something that feels right for you. And don’t be afraid to evolve and change over time – your style will likely do the same as you grow and develop as an artist.

Once you have a good understanding of your own graphic style, you can start applying it to your work. This might mean creating mood boards or templates to help guide your designs, or simply being more aware of the choices you make when it comes to colour, composition, etc. Whatever works best for you, make sure that your finished products reflect your unique vision and voice.

There are plenty of resources out there to help support you in finding and refining your graphic style. I’ve compiled a few of my favourites below – check them out if you’re looking for some extra guidance:

Albers, J. (2013). Interaction of Color, 50th Anniversary Edition. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

Arntson, A. (2012). Graphic Design Basics, 6th Edition. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Berryman, G. (1990). Notes on Graphic Design and Visual Communications, Revised Edition. Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, Inc.

Bowers, J. (2011). Introduction to Graphic Design Methodologies and Processes: Understanding Theory and Application. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Itten, J. (1993). The Art of Color. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Itten, J. and Birren, F. (1970). The Elements of Color: A Treatise on the

Color System of Johannes Itten Based on His Book the Art of Color. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company.

Kandinsky, W. (2013). Point and Line to Plane. Eastford, CT: Martino Fine Books.

Klee, P. and Moholy-Nagy, S. (1968). Pedagogical Sketchbook. London: Faber & Faber.

Landa, R. (2014). Graphic Design Solutions, 5th Edition. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Lupton, E. and Cole Phillips, J. (2015). Graphic Design: The New Basics, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press.

Meggs, P. (1992). Type and Image: The Language of Graphic Design. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Meggs, P., & Purvis, A. (2006). Meggs' History of Graphic Design, 4th Edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Munari, B. (2008). Design as Art. London: Penguin.
Santoro, S. (2014). Guide to Graphic Design, 1st Edition. Upper Saddle

River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc, Prentice Hall.

Wheeler, A. (2006). Designing Brand Identity, 2nd Edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Wong, W. (1972). Principles of Two-Dimensional Design. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.