Emily Hicks

DESCRIPTION //

This concept was a university assignment for a Pork and Cider festival. I needed to create something that would appeal to a higher socio-economic target market. As this was the specified audience for this assignment. As such, I designed this piece in clean cut and minimalistic style. To contrast this, I utilised a hand-drawn style that would convey a sense of “rawness.” The purpose of this was to encourage engagement from the primary target market without being exclusionary of other individuals who any potentially also be interested in the event.

DESIGN PROCESS //

The first step was to source images of pigs and apples in varying styles and forms. From there I hand drew a basic outline of the various collected images. I selected the outlines that I felt were most appropriate for the brief, these outlines formed the base of the image. I then worked back into the selected outlines by using the technique of etching/shading to create depth and add details. This hand-drawn process enabled me to create the raw and minimal feel that I was aiming to capture. I then scanned both images, and digitalized them in Adobe Illustrator. This allowed me to further manipulate the images until I was satisfied with their presentation. I was then able to combine them into one document as a pattern that served as the final design.

How would you describe your style?

I love to utilise traditional hand drawing techniques as a large component of my design process as I feel that this drawing with pen and paper is a strength of mine. I find that I lean on a monochromatic colour scheme in a lot of my work, however I try to incorporate different colours into my work where I can. I admire Minimalism as a style and like to take the key principles of this genre and apply it to my work, resulting in pieces that stay true to my style, but are simple - conveying only the information that needs to be expressed.

What are your influences?

I’m always inspired by the Perth art scene - what my university colleagues are creating as well as other Perth artists. Anya Brock is an example of a Perth based artist that I really admire. Brock, is a prominent artist within the Perth art scene, who paints bright and exciting pieces from canvas to murals. As an individual who enjoys painting as a hobby, I can admire the techniques that Anya invokes in all her pieces, especially the warm pastel colours that are a feature in her signature style. I love that you are able to instantly recognise her work all over Perth and especially appreciate her murals around Northbridge, Leederville and Fremantle.

If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why?

A cat - obviously! Although dogs are my favourite animal, have you ever met a cat that didn’t rule their own house? They sleep all day, wake up for food and demand cuddles whenever they want! That’s a bloody good deal if you ask me.

If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Probably “Father Stretch My Hands Pt.1” by Kanye West. It’s that feelgood song that gets you up and about and always gets you in the mood to get started!

ILLUSTRATION | PERTH, WA

AGE | 21

INSTAGRAM | @ehicksdesigns

TOOLS | Adobe Illustrator, pen and paper