9 things to know before you study illustration
If I am completely honest, I didn’t fully understand what illustration was until after I started studying it.
The true breadth of what being an illustrator can involve is one of the countless things I learnt whilst studying Illustration at DJCAD, some of which I wish I had known a little earlier. With the help of some fellow 2020 graduates, I have compiled a list of 9 things to know before you start studying illustration…
© Greg McIndoe / @HeadlessGreg - Still Here, Still Life
01: So what exactly does an illustrator do?
It’s a question every illustration student will be asked at some point (probably by an elderly relative after admiring your “cartoons”). It’s a tricky one to respond to as there is an endless list of correct answers. I had been writing about illustration for a few years before I started studying it so really thought I understood what it was. However, there were plenty of briefs which took me by surprise.
As well as more predictable challenges like children’s books, editorial illustrations and packaging designs, we were also pushed outside of our comfort zones. During my three years at art school, I designed a set for a Shakespeare play, a magnetic puzzle inspired by a box of old letters and a very poorly embroidered book made out of a cut-up shirt. These were the most challenging and frustrating briefs but also turned out to be the most rewarding.
02: Illustrations don’t have to be 2D
As well as not having too narrow a view of the definition of illustration, don’t put limits on what kind of illustrator you are going to be. When I first started studying, I was convinced I had a “2D brain” and couldn’t fathom making things that weren’t flat. With some gentle encouragement from some unexpected briefs, I slowly developed an obsession with laser-cutting and making 3D models has since become one of my favourite ways to illustrate.
© Greg McIndoe / @HeadlessGreg - WOODSTAK for YCN candle packaging brief set by Oliver Bonas and Fedrigoni
03: Drawing isn’t everything
This is maybe a little bit controversial when talking about illustration, but in my opinion, drawing isn’t everything. By that, I mean traditional drawing with a pencil and paper isn’t the only way to become a good illustrator.
I used to think that true illustrators just want to spend day after day sitting under a tree with their head buried in a sketchbook. It’s an idyllic vision of what a true artist looks like but it’s far from reality. My mind is far too impatient and neat to want to spend hours creating piles of drawings. I’d much rather spend time playing with shapes digitally and that’s okay. Whether you are covered in paint or prefer the cleanliness of pixels; all artistic approaches are equally valid.
“Whether you are covered in paint or prefer the cleanliness of pixels; all artistic approaches are equally valid. ”
04: Basic digital skills
I remember my dad once saying to me that university is where you go to learn to think. This is definitely true for art school as there is far more emphasis on idea generation and conceptual thinking than on practical skills. No matter how traditional your process is, I think it is useful to know the basics of how to use Adobe programs like Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
Whether you study at college before university like I did or simply following online tutorials, these skills will help you stand out online and learning them early will prevent you from having to play catch up later on. You can’t save a flawed concept or dodgy drawing with good computer skills (that’s like putting make-up on a pig) but you can make your great ideas and beautiful illustrations look their absolute best.
© Greg McIndoe / @HeadlessGreg - Wilson Strange
05: How to make images move
And if you fancy really challenging yourself then I’d think about learning to make your illustrations move too. I’ve been to countless talks and read several articles which advise that all illustrators should know the basics of animation as it makes their portfolios stand out to potential commissioners. It’s important not to be too influenced by trends but you will never regret being able to bring your illustrations to life. I waited until my very last semester at art school to learn how to use Adobe Animate and definitely wished I had started a whole lot sooner.
06: You don’t need a style yet
One of the heaviest weights on an illustration student’s mind can be about having a recognisable style. Again, industry talks and articles often profess that having an aesthetic that is instantly known as yours is so important in building a client base. You do need a style, just not yet. Personally, I don’t see the point in going through university and producing a body of work that looks exactly the same. Switch up your mediums, techniques and drawing styles whilst there is so little to lose.
I used all sorts of odd materials like sand, thread, LED lights and polystyrene balls in my art school creations and drew in countless different styles. Looking back at my work now there is a part of my perfectionist little brain that wants to edit all my old work so that it is neat and geometric. Deep down though, I know that had I not made all this work that bothers me to look at, I wouldn’t have been able to settle on a style.
Deciding exactly how all of your work is going to look for the rest of your career when you have only just started studying is far too much pressure so give yourself a break and experiment a little.
“Deciding exactly how all of your work is going to look for the rest of your career when you have only just started studying is far too much pressure so give yourself a break and experiment a little. ”
© Greg McIndoe / @HeadlessGreg - Ancestry: Blitz 80
07: Everyone is faking it
It’s always important to remember that no creator is consistently 100% confident with what they are creating. It is part of our nature to be riddled with self-doubt even if we don’t show it.
Whether it is that person in class who’s work seems way more advanced than yours or someone on Instagram who is constantly churning out finished pieces; they too will have days where they are creatively blocked or sick to death of looking at their own portfolio.
It’s also good to bear in mind that what you are currently making might not be to the same standard as the work you admire. Your taste levels are often a few years ahead of your skillset. The only way to narrow that gap is to keep on creating.
“It’s always important to remember that no creator is consistently 100% confident with what they are creating. It is part of our nature to be riddled with self-doubt even if we don’t show it. ”
08: Illustrate in an inclusive world
Diversity should also be evident in whatever it is you are creating. As illustrators, it is essentially our job to visualise the world in a creative way. It’s important to make sure the world we are bringing to life is inclusive of all genders, sexualities, races and abilities.
It’s also key not to fall into stereotypes whilst designing. For example, not only showing people of colour as minor characters but authority figures too. Again, working this into your design process is easier the sooner you start and will lead to more interesting work.
09: Enjoy yourself!
As our time in the studios ended so abruptly due to the pandemic, the class of 2020 feel a longing for the opportunities, resources and creative community that art school offers even more intensely than other years. Looking back, there are already things I wish I had taken better advantage of when I had the chance, so make the best of it while you can.
It is easy to get bogged down in the stress and drama that come along with the bubble of university life, but just think of how much you’ll miss this time one day. Having time where your sole objective is to develop as a creative and as a person is so important so make sure you use it wisely. Art schools are magical places - enjoy your time there!
About the author
Greg McIndoe, also known as Headless Greg, is an illustrator and design writer based in Glasgow. He recently graduated with a First Class Degree in Illustration from Duncan of Jordanstone and has since been picked as One To Watch by D&AD and won a YCN student award.
Over the Summer, Greg has started building his freelance career and been involved in lots of different writing and design projects. He recently started working with the Make Bank - a social project striving for true representation within the creative industries - and was involved in Ancestry’s The Blitz 80 campaign. To see more of Greg’s work, visit headlessgreg.com or follow @headlessgreg on Instagram.
