For The Love of Hands

~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ For the

Love of Hands

~

First published in 2017 by Swinburne School of Design Melbourne, Australia.

Copyright of all work is retained by the various authors.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, without prior written permission from the publisher. Images, captions and credits are provided by the authors whose work is included. While very effort has been made to ensure the accuracy, the publisher does not under any circumstance accept any responsibility for error or omission.

Design, typesetting and some art work by Bronte Hamilton Š All other images were supplied by the artists and are credited to them.

Printed and Bound in Australia by White Laws Bindery 802-804 Glenhuntly Road, Caulfield South VIC 3162 Typeset in Mr Eaves San Modern

~ For the Love of Hands

~

~ Contents ~ ~ Gemma O’Brien ~ 12 ~ Lauren Carney ~

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~ Julian Frost ~

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~ Jasmine Dowling ~

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~ Caitlin Shearer ~

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~ Luci Everett ~

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~ Abbey Rich ~

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~ Andrea Innocent ~

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~ The Greedy Hen ~

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~ Gemma O’Brien ~ ~ Typographer ~

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Gemma O’Brien is a woman on a mission when

The industry as a whole is only growing from

it comes to her passion and love for typography.

here. Especially the craft side: letterpress

The Sydney based “type nerd” wasn’t always

printing, hand-rendered lettering, sign painting,

interested in design. After a brief stint studying

calligraphy and brushwork are all back in the

law, she then shifted her focus and decided to

spotlight Designers and advertisers are trying to

study design. The rest they say is history, since

regain the human side of the printed world and

the age of 21 Gemma has built up a seriously

bring it back to have a focus on hand crafted

impressive collection of clients.

elements in the design world after there was a momentary lose in the desktop publishing bloom

While studying, Gemma had the opportunity to

of the ’80s and ’90s.

work in a letterpress studio where she learned how to set old metal type by hand. This was the

Gemma is very passionate about sharing her

turning point for her, this is where she became

knowledge and passion for hands on craft as

obsessed with typography and found a new

she feels like Australia and the world have a

appreciation for the process that is typography.

real lack in that hand crafted skill that we often take for granted because the technology is so

Gemma believes that typography is important

readily available to anyone who wants it. She has

because it has the capacity to take on character

teamed up with Wayne Thompson who is from

and convey a particular meaning with the

the Australian Type Foundry to host hand-drawn

audience. Be it a slick logo or some hand written

lettering workshops right across Australia.

scrawl, it says something beyond the words alone. She is more focused on how typography can link a person to a certain experience or a particular culture.

Previous page “Lowercase g Illustration” “Noon” 14

Always preferring to create with her hands, Gemma often carries a pen and notepad around with her in case she has a sudden burst of inspiration comes her way and she needs to jot something down. Ironically most of the time it’ll be an old receipt or serviette. Most of the design projects start with a blank piece of paper and making sure the idea is clear before Gemma then transfers it over to Illustrator and turning the type into a vector. Creating things by hand is an important process and feeling, giving the piece of work a little bit of human-ness left in the final product, even if it’s slick, neat lines of type, she believes there can still be a little bit of authenticity in there.

“People Who Love to Eat”

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Represented by the Jacky Winter Group, Gemma

Left -Right; “Workspace” “Make it on Mobile” “B&W Alpha”

splits her time between commercial commissions and personal art projects. A typical day for her might consist of creating custom lettering designs for commercial brands or companies to experimenting and exploring new concepts for her personal typography projects.

When it comes to Gemma’s advice for young up and coming aspiring designers and typographers her words are to know your shit. Have a good understanding of culture, language, and type history and design precedents. Be willing to push the boundaries; don’t be scared to take risks. Practice and hone your skills by hand and in the relevant software. Look outside the world of design for your inspiration. And if you are choosing the words, choose them wisely.

“There’s nothing worse than a piece of beautiful typography with mediocre content or copy.”

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~ Lauren Carney ~ ~ Illustrator & Graphic Designer ~

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Can you talk me through your design process?

What made you want to get into the industry that you are in?

It starts with an idea. I take what’s in my brain and

I guess I just didn’t want to crunch a 9 – 5 at a

sketch it out as a thumbnail or a phrase in my little

company that didn’t appreciate me. I heard lots of

black book (a journal that exists purely for my

friends were working for an animation company in

scribbly concepts) That idea might sit in the book

Brisbane (I have an animation degree) and doing

for a day, a week, a month or even a year. When

ludicrous hours for minimal pay. That sounded

I decide to use it, I’ll draft the bigger version on

like the worst ever, so I was kind of like ‘stuff it,

paper, and do another 7 drafts usually with my

give drawing pictures for a living a red hot crack’.

portable light box until I have a polished penciled

It’s kind of when Instagram was kicking off, so you

outline. I then scan that piece into my computer,

really could connect with other artists online and

open it in Photoshop and redraw over the image,

see that others were making a crust from their art,

then colour.

so I could make it if I worked hard enough.

What does an average day at work look like for you?

Who inspires you?

I’m up at 5am, watching the sun rise on my roof

aesthetic to me. Kelly Smith (fashion illustrator)

while sipping a cup of tea, then I’ll sit on my

Dave Collinson (Digital Illustrator) Charmaine

computer and take care of drawings. At 8am it’s

Olivia and Glenn Arthur (both painters)

“All I want is Sleep”

Mostly artists who have a completely different “Desk”

coffee & breakfast time whilst replying to a million emails / Instagram and Facebook comments. From 9am onwards my day can consist of doing postal runs, going to client meetings, photographing flat lays, creating concepts, drafting designs, putting together briefs, sending off quotes, editing photos and if I have any time in there for designing my own artwork I do. At 3 I go for a run because I’ve hit ‘the wall’ and am knackered. After that it’s shower and afternoon tea time, and I’ll power through with finishing the last of my workload or

When you first get an idea, do you instantly grab a piece of paper and start drawing or is it easier to do it on the computer?

Ahhh good question. Actually, my brain feels like a short-circuiting message board of sorts. If an idea comes to me I have to quickly jot it down on

“Lollypop Girl”

a piece of paper otherwise it will be lost forever.

Most of the time I have my little black book on me – it’s a tiny book I keep for thumb nailing ideas.

I take it with me everywhere.

getting my ‘list of stuff to do’ for the following day prepared in the arvo.

Previous page;“Space” “Caution Wet Paint!”

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What inspires you?

I think even though the themes of my work have changed over time, ‘Romanticism’ has played a huge part. Not the tacky rom-com Hollywood kind, but the real life subtle kind of love. I value my relationships with people, and like to incorporate certain elements of that connection into my drawings. By this I mean taking real life situations, and re-birthing them in cartoon form on paper with a dash of surrealism. But yeah, cartoons, colour palettes, stories, dreams are also things that are a surface influence for me also.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Honestly man, not having to wear pants.

Are you a tea or coffee drinker?

If I had to pick between the two, coffee would win.

In a digital age, do you struggle to stand out from the crowd?

Hah, honestly yes. I’ve tried hard to find my own creative style to separate myself from others.

But it kind of hit me that there will always be people who have the same thing going on as you.

Fashion illustrators, typographers - their work is always similar to others in their field. Once I came to that realization I stopped trying to make myself different and just do things that I wanted to do, that felt right in my soul that wasn’t for online gratification, things started taking off.

“Fox Girl” 23

Is there a medium that you gravitate to?

Or you do you have a favorite medium to work with?

Why does creating things by hand mean

I honestly don’t really have a fave medium.

organic, primitive state. There is nothing getting

I’m in love with all kinds. I know I binge on a

between you and your design, nothing digital

medium for a while change to something else I’m

to sway the way your brain wants your work

sick of it. Digital drawings or watercolor paintings

to be. When I create work via hand it looks

are my thing. I get a bit antsy if I’ve been drawing

super different to something that was solely

on a computer for too long though, whereas with

made in Photoshop.

watercolor I can just go for 9 hours.

What do you do to get out of a creative rut?

Hah, normally if I’m creatively drained it means it’s holiday time. If I can’t go on a holiday though, I generally switch off social media and work and just kind of do stuff that doesn’t involve creativity of any sort. Bike riding, hitting the beach, going to an art gallery, hanging with friends. After my soul feels like it’s in a content place, the creative energy levels start to build up again.

How long does a project usually take?

I’m a bit of a slow creator. Concept / first draft / second & third draft / line work / colour can take a day, sometimes two. The really simple drawings can take 10 hours, but the crazy detailed ones can take anywhere between 15 – 30 hours depending on the textures & coloring.

something to you?

I think because you’re creating in a completely

“Self portrait”

How much of your design process is done by

Have you got any advice for students or future

hand vs digitally (computer)?

designers?

I recently had this borderline creative meltdown

Apply for stuff – whether it’s magazine

over this very question. I was so used to drawing

spreads, grants, artist assistance programs, and

100% digitally that I no longer had the confidence

competitions. Collaborate with artists, go to

to do ‘pen to paper’ work. The very idea of going

exhibitions / launches / industry event nights,

out with other arty friends, having a coffee and

and make genuine friends with other like-minded

doing sketchbook drawings together horrified me.

I had become so dependent on digital that I actually developed a fear of pen to paper

humans. Oh also, don’t compare yourself to other artists. Draw things that make you feel good.

Happy heart, means happy art.

illustration – how silly. I took 2 months off to just learn my way around a pencil again, and after that I decided my art would never ever become solely one medium and not the other. It’s now 50% traditional 50% digital.

“At Sea”

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“Buck Teef”

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~ Julian Frost ~ ~ Animator ~

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Julian Frost is a man of many talents when it comes

being unemployed so Julian then dipped his

to creating. Born and raised in Christchurch New

toes into design. He designed logos for a friend’s

Zealand, he now calls Melbourne home even

dad’s software company, hairdressers, he created

though he had a short stint living in London from

Claymation sets, Christmas cards, games,

2010-2012. His witty sense of humor is evident

websites and engine control interfaces. Anything

in the characters he has illustrated; but his talent

that presented itself as an opportunity Julian

doesn’t stop there he has also turned his hand

would take. While a lot of artists and designers

to Claymation as a set maker, web and games

like to have their ideas beautifully presented and

designer and a digital advertising creative.

laid out, Julian on the other hand words better when he jots down an idea in the quickest and

The now famous ‘Dumb Ways to Die’ campaign

most disposable way possible. That way he isn’t

created for Metro Trains has made him a

making the idea too pretty too early or risking the

world-wide name. The short animation has now

possibility of getting stuck thinking in the one way

hit an impressive 137,063,276 views since it

and not being able to change it. The solution,

launched in 2012. The annoyingly catchy tune,

thumbnail sketches on scraps of old paper.

the cute characters and humorous concept behind the animation suits Julian to a tee. When

According to Julian the best thing about being

he was a kid he was always drawing silly characters

an illustrator and animator is being able to stay

– a passion that hasn’t disappeared yet.

in touch with his silly side. Not ever wanting to ever grow up Julian has since realised that people

When he realised he could turn that passion

who don’t grow up are tiresome and/exasperating

for drawing into a career he went and studied

according to multiple ex-girlfriends and his wife.

Illustration at university but soon realised that being an illustrator was also another word for

Previous page;“Toast” “Storm” Opposite Page “Bored” 30

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For Julian projects can take anywhere from two

Measuring success however is challenging for

months, however he prefers a shorter time-frame

Julian, at times has been proud of his work and

as the more time spent working on a project Julian

been thanked sincerely by clients, however, it

struggles to look at it with a fresh pair of eyes.

wasn’t until he was about 28 when there were

Working by himself doesn’t allow him to take on

enough people who liked what he made that he

long projects as in his words “struggles to keep

could start to make a dignified living. It was only

focused” so he usually just sticks to or is limited

then he stopped wondering whether taking the

to the smaller jobs that come his way. Julian often

visual career path was the right one to choose as

jokes that if he was asked to produce or make a

opposed to a science path.

feature film it would be near impossible for him!

Julian feels that the challenges of working in the With the direction that design is heading and

design industry comes down to one’s perspective.

the use of the Internet Julian believes that it is

Creative work can seem really important but

very easy for everyone to reference the same

sometimes at the end of the day a job is just a

styles. However, he doesn’t think that it is difficult

job and Julian has to sometimes remind himself

to create work that is visually or conceptually

not to let other areas of life or relationships slip.

different. It is easy to draw something that the

Being in the industry for some time he has seen

internet won’t care about but being able to

people sacrifice a lot for the creative lifestyle or

make and uphold a sustainable creative career

be seduced into doing so by their employees

is a completely different story. Julian says he is

and he doesn’t believe that there is anything of

very fortunate to have had ‘Dumb Ways to Die’

substance in return.

otherwise he would just be puttering along doing things for other people or freelancing in house.

Being an animator, most of Julian’s work is digitally created. On the upside of technology, he can draw and animate things that would have taken much more time and expensive equipment 30 years ago and then show thousands of people globally. However, the downside is that there is a

“Spaceman”

lot of time reading useless things online or wasting time staring at the blank screen having forgotten what he was sitting down to do.

He describes himself as being a moderately good animator/illustrator with a slight sense of humor.

It is the combination of these two things that sets him apart from the crowd.

“Moose”

“Hair Fire” Opposite “Piranha”

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~ Jasmine Dowling ~ ~ Typographer ~

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Can you talk me through your design process?

It really depends on the project that I am working on. Usually it will start with a mood or phrase that I am working to, then move to sketching or drafting up lettering. From there I might scan them all in and see if I need to change anything with the originals. Once I am happy with my scans I then move onto post-production. That can mean just editing in photograph or taking it into Illustrator to create a vector file.

Do you have memories of being creative when you were younger?

I have always wanted to work in a creative field whether it was in fashion, design or architecture.

I went to Primary in the late 90’s/early 2000’s and at the time Bubble Writing was a bit of a thing and I was the go-to girl for the style. So if there was any early indication that this would be my career I think that would be it.

What made you want to get into the industry that you are in?

It has always been what I gravitated to.

Even through university I knew if I ended up in a visual field, no matter which I would be pretty stoked. I think my love for visual expression as a whole has meant I have freely been able to create in various fields, whether it be my lettering, my photographic artworks or blogging.

Is there a medium that you gravitate to?

Ink, no doubt.

What do you still do by hand?

Why do you still do that by hand?

I still start every project by hand. I sketch and hand-illustrate all my lettering and even artworks for blogposts by hand. I try only use digital practices for post-production.

How do you think your work differs from others?

I would like to think that my work is unique in the content. Anyone with enough practice can hand-letter with the same materials as me, but you can stay unique in the content that you create with and with what point of view you come from when creating.

How long does a project usually take?

It really depends, some take a day, others can be a year between initial draft and it being in stores.

In a digital age, do you struggle to stand out from the crowd?

It definitely can be tough but I never try to focus on that. All you can do is stay true to yourself, be authentic and do the hard work.

What inspires you?

Pop Culture, Current Affairs, Art, Music, Lyrics, Nature, People.

What’s the best thing about your job?

That it gives me the freedom to create.

Image previous page “Lisa Mitchell Poster” Opposite “Desk Drawing”

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What does an average day at work look like for you?

At the moment my days are a little chaotic as I am working on lots of different types of projects.

I always like to start with getting back to any urgent emails but limiting the time I spend on this as I could do it all day. Since I work best in the mornings I like to get all my painting done so it has time to dry before lunch. In the morning I also like to shoot any content that I need to get done before the light in my house fades in the afternoon. After lunch I like to scan through all my work and spend the afternoon editing whether it be content, blog posts or artworks for clients. I then usually end the day by emailing off work for the day and working out my next social media posts.

“All or Something�

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What’s your favorite method to use?

I am very process-driven so I love the mixture of analogue & digital. Processes like illustrating with Ink then scanning then printing again just to re-illustrating on top I find inspiring and interesting it itself.

“Make your Mark”

Where do you see your industry in five year?

It will be less about the ‘style’ and more about the meaning and content.

Describe your ideal workspace in 5 words.

Flowers, Coffee, Books, Chaos, Ink. How do you clients influence your work?

There is usually always a brief that I am working to so of course any client work is influenced by the clients needs. Nearly every project will not be 100% you, unless it is a personal one. You have to take on their clientele, their brand and the project at hand and see how you can add to that.

Have you got any advice for students or future designers?

Make sure you are putting your own opinion into your work. There is no use spending time trying to be like someone else.

“Desk Space” 40

When you first get an idea, do you instantly grab a piece of paper and start drawing or

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

is it easier to do it on the computer?

Fuck Perfection.

Paper instantly. The computer creates boundaries around your idea from the start.

If you are sitting on the phone on hold, what is the one thing you always draw

Are you a tea or coffee drinker?

while trying to pass time?

Coffee. Ideally an Iced Latte with an extra shot.

Words for sure.

When in your career did you realize you were doing okay and actually pretty successful in what you are doing?

Firstly when I was able to support myself financially and then secondly when I was able to do what I love for work.

What are some of the challenges that you face in your job?

A lot of copyright issues, I have had to do after quite a few major Australian stores and brands due to my work being used without my knowledge. Being a freelancer, finance is always a challenge. Even if you do a lot of work one month, larger companies may have 90 day payment terms .

L-R “Make your Mark 2” “Abbie Heath” “Poppy” “Cassandra Keogh” 41

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~ Caitlin Shearer ~ ~ Textile Designer ~

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Caitlin Shearer is a Melbourne based illustrator, seamstress, curator and textiles extraordinaire.

Her love of bodily or plant-based subject are intrinsically female at all times. A typical day for Caitlin is stacked full of emails, piles of sewing, a trip to the post office, packing orders into pink envelopes at her desk, trying to squeeze in time for lunch, a quick glimpse at Pinterest or Instagram, taking in Collingwood’s exhibitions and exploring restaurants by night.

Being creative is something that has always been within Caitlin. As a child her mum used to surprise her with handmade costumes and they would often draw and do craft projects together.

Her mum was always encouraging Caitlin to do whatever came to mind without having any reservations. These moments of encouragement are still treasured by Caitlin to this day.

When it comes to her creative process Caitlin likes things old school, anything involving paper, where she can use paint, where she can get messy!

Her work always begins with a scribble, whether it be clothing silhouettes, roughs for an illustration or textured beginnings of a textile design. She then mulls colours over in her head for weeks before putting things to paper; sometimes they tumble out and are more successful than others.

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Images supplied by artist

Not wanting to fit into the typical fashion industry, Caitlin loves to be a part of the grassroots art and craft scene that is happening here in Melbourne.

To her it feels like a home and it has furnished her with friends for life. This world allows Caitlin to feels like she is highly capable, people like her, they’ve created their own world where they can feel safe and everyone solidifies their dreams and where everyone is welcome.

Being a woman of many talents, if Caitlin finds herself in a creative rut instead of drawing she will sew or vice versa. The nature of her business allows her to have the flexibility to switch things up easily. Running her own business also gives her the freedom to follow her own creative dreams without having any guilt. It’s a huge passion of Caitlin’s to be able to plan collaborations with other amazing creative artists and be able to call it her job.

Now that Caitlin has taken more of a textiles approach rather than illustration based, she doesn’t have a lot of commercial work. However, from time to time she will make some custom work for ladies, which always sparks something amazing that she just couldn’t have envisioned by herself. That moment and process of trying things for the benefit of someone’s eyes is something that Caitlin really loves about freelancing and completing custom work for different clients.

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It isn’t all fun and games though, running your own business is something that Caitlin struggles with.

The stress, long hours, having enough money to experiment and try new things also contribute to making freelancing hard work. Especially when it’s a one woman team who is doing the packing, cutting, sewing, textile designing, social media correspondent and website designer!

In terms of standing out from the crowd, Caitlin believes that her work takes on the sensitivity of the hearts, longing and feelings that are her own.

By doing this she hopes to have an impact.

To her by creating objects by hands is a way of making emotions real, pulling them out of her brain and then assigning them to colours, shapes and textures.

Preferring to make things by hand, Caitlin loves to use watercourses, paper and pencils as her main method to create. When it comes down to technology she rarely uses it, all of her ideas come out on paper first because Caitlin feels like she is more in tune with her hands and trusts them more than if she were to use a Wacom tablet.

She believes that being able to carve out an idea on paper is the most important thing. It gives her the sense of being both secure and courageous in the movement of her hands and the precision of line. She can’t make a mistake because she can’t just press the delete button and it’ll be gone, especially with working with fabric paint on her latest projects, there’s no room for an unsteady hand!

Caitlin doesn’t have a shortage of inspiring inspiration, seeking sources from beautiful girls on Instagram who document their bodies, faces, lives, plants, pets with audacity and charm.

Amazing artists like Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, Colette, David Lynch and Sylvia Plath, pretty petals, raw silk, 1950’s new look, shoes with matching fabric of dresses, abstract paint and second hand shops.

Even though she prefers do to things by hand, Caitlin would be lost without the power of the Internet and technology. It gives her a platform and a home to present all of her creations and ideas giving her the opportunity to connect with people that she would never have met otherwise.

Too stubborn to learn technology back to front, Caitlin believes that using technology hinders her creative process, which is why her work is done 80% by hand and only 20% by computer.

When sitting on the phone you can find Caitlin drawings endless amounts of daises with as many petals as she can muster! And lastly her advice for any up and coming designers is to connect your work to your emotions and to be creating and making things that you really truly care about. Nobody wants to see you trying to do somebody else’s thang.

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~ Luci Everett ~ ~ Illustrator & Graphic Designer ~

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What does an average day at work look like

Can you talk me through your design process?

for you?

It definitely differs depending on the project, but

They’re always different in terms of work

basically:

happening. I’ve recently moved into a studio

- Make sure the brief is clear and that I have all the

space with my friend Lauren, so there’s always a

information I need

commute on my bike. I’ll arrive around 9, earlier

- Look for inspiration and references – usually

if I’m busy (I’m better working in the morning),

online (often Pinterest) With the mood board

set some music going and check my emails.

of references in mind, create a first draft. If it’s an

At some stage in the morning I’ll head downstairs

illustration or music artwork, often I’ll present a

for a coffee from Duke’s. We’ll work pretty quietly

PDF, which includes a pencil sketch, a page or

but chat occasionally about work we’re doing or

two of the references I’ve collected along with a

social stuff (eg exhibition openings we’re going to

bunch of notes explaining my thoughts/intentions

that week!) Eat lunch about 1pm – something from

- From here, it’s back and forth with the client in

home or grab something easy like sushi. If we’re

feedback and revisions until completion.

meeting friends after work, they might pop into the studio around 5.30 for a drink before we leave

Describe your ideal workspace in 5 words.

for the day.

Light, relaxed, warm, friendly … coffee

What made you want to get into the industry

What’s the best thing about your job?

that you are in?

Working on my own terms – the freedom

I got very into magazine layouts as a kid/teenager.

of a freelancer.

I was always also into art too, and so the mix of graphic design/illustration was a natural outcome.

Previous page “Right Now”

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Who inspires you?

A whooole bunch of illustrators, artists, designers, photographers. The blessing and curse of the internet is that you have access to so many great visuals – and it’s also easy to forget names in that vast sea. There’s always favorites I’ve seen stumbled across recently, but some classic memorable ones would be: Helen Frankenthaler, Cy Twombly, Chris Silas Neal, Danielle Kroll, Kirsten Sims, Dane Lovett When in your career did you realize you were doing okay and actually pretty successful in what you are doing?

Probably the recent couple of years, when after people as what I do, I still answer “I do graphic design/illustration… I just freelance” , and I realised I’ve been saying that for years now and I’ve kept afloat in it quite comfortably (despite just falling into the freelance world).

You’re a new addition to the crayon box.

What color would you be and why?

I’d probably be a soft, warm pink.

“Bridal Bouquet” 55

“Loose Froot”

Do you think technology helps you or

What do you still do by hand?

do you think sometimes it hinders your

Why do you still do that by hand?

creative process?

I still do textures and illustrative line work by hand.

It nearly always helps me. The only hindrance

It’s the only way I know how to get the feel I’m

I can perhaps think of is maybe I’m a little more

usually going for.

impatient that I would be without technology.

I’m used to things coming together quite

How do you clients influence your work?

smoothly and being able to constantly amend

A lot! Their requirements are the whole

easily. And so if I’m working on something

foundation of the work, usually. Luckily often I’m

without technology (like a piece of original art) –

approached because of a specific style I’ve already

mistakes take more time! I’m not used to that.

used, and so I’m familiar and/or comfortable with the direction from the beginning.

In a digital age, do you struggle to stand out from the crowd?

Have you got any advice for students

No, I think people are still drawn to things

or future designers?

that look hand-created – maybe even more so

If you’re in a workplace – as an intern, or a new

in a digital age.

employee, whatever – don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re unsure. You’re still

Do you have memories of being creative when

learning and everyone understands that.

you were younger?

For sure – creating things was mostly what

If you are sitting on the phone on hold, what

I was interested in. I was always doing crafts

is the one thing you always draw while trying

of some sort.

to pass time?

Flowers, always.

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“Pears” 57

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~ Abbey Rich ~ ~ Textile Designer ~

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Previous page “Turtle Neck” Far Left “Skate” Left “Protect Smock”

With a name like Abbey Rich, it is certain that

When asked what the best thing is about her job,

this girl is going to be doing something cool.

Abbey says “that it’s being able to do something

The textiles designer is based in North

that she loves and makes her happy.” She doesn’t

Melbourne, she runs a small independent

get tired about going to work because she gets

clothing label. Abbey does everything from

to be creative and express how she feels, what

designing, printing and sewing her limited

she is thinking and what she believes in and then

edition, hand printed and handmade clothing.

shows the world. Watching people being able to embrace that and put her hard work onto their

This control and attention to detail is something

bodies is what Abbey really finds joy in.

that is really important to Abbey and her partner Laura. Together they made the decision create

A lot of Abbey’s design process is all still done by

a business that was ethically and environmentally

hand. It is very rare that you will find her sitting on

connected. The power team love the process

a computer designing. If anything you’ll find her

and take pride in making handmade, ethical

sending emails or working on her website but

and unique products.

everything else about her business is all done by hand. Every pattern is rendered and created

A typical day for Abbey starts early, getting to

by hand – at most she will scan it into the

work around 7.30am. She then prints out the new

computer to then print on acetate.

orders for the day and checks emails.

Abbey carries around a sketchbook and a journal

Once Laura arrives Abbey is off getting them

with her everywhere. For her it isn’t just about

both some coffee to start the day . . . an essential

the visual documentation but also the written

for any designer. From there the day consists of

documentation as well so she will often jot down

Abbey painting fabrics while Laura sews and their

thoughts and record lots of everyday things that

intern helps out with production and the odd jobs

inspire her.

around the studio.

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For Abbey the textiles, the pattern development is

When she first started creating, Abbey was a

done by hand and then Abbey will screen-print all

little bit scared to do things differently, which she

the fabrics herself. She then passes it onto Laura

thinks, is quite normal in University. She thinks

to sew up the garments. Everything is done in

that the essence of her style is still 100% there it is

house and by hand because that is a passion that

just braver and more truthful than when she first

both Abbey and Laura share and they wouldn’t

started textiles. She’s managed to turn textile and

have it any other way.

fashion design into more of an art based practice for herself and she sees it as more of a creative

When you ask what inspires Abbey, she’ll laugh

outlet for herself rather than a commercial job.

and say it’s a pretty cliché answer, but the world around her inspires her. To be able to look around

Abbey isn’t one for technology. Being very

and see what events are happening around her

strong willed she leaves her computer at work

or to be in the company of inspiring people

and doesn’t own a TV or have Internet at home

in her life, everything sparks some creativity

so she lives quiet removed from technology

within Abbey. She doesn’t consciously look

for the most part. Which is pretty impressive

to what everyone else is doing in the fashion/

considering a vast majority of the population

textiles industry so she doesn’t get stuck in a

struggle to switch off and disconnect from the

rut. Her upcoming collection is a reflection of

Internet and devices. On weekends she tries to

these last crazy couple of months that she has

leave her phone, however Instagram has been so

experienced. The people she’s met, loved and let

important for the rise of her label that is often

go of. Abbey is constantly visiting exhibitions and

a struggle to leave the phone at home. Abbey

flipping through art books and magazines, as it

says she literally owes her career to Instagram, she

is really important to her to be sourcing different

doubts that she would have found the “success”

inspiration and art styles.

that she has today if it wasn’t for technology but she believes it would have taken her a shit load 63

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“Pants”

“Workspace”

longer if it wasn’t for it. Abbey loves the thought

In terms of the textiles industry, Abbey would like

of being able to survive without technology but

the fashion for our generation to be remembered,

she also thinks she would be kidding herself at

not for a defined aesthetic but for it’s push

the same time! As for separating her work life and

towards a sustainable and ethical future. She

workspace from her home life it’s only something

really hopes that this continues and she that in

that has happened recently. Up until March of this

five years, we as consumers will have more of a

year she and Laura were working out of her living

conscious approach to fashion. Abbey hopes that

room in her small one bedroom apartment. Since

we will buy and throw away less. To her clothing

then they have been working in a studio space in

should be viewed as a piece of art that is worn on

North Melbourne allowing them to really expand

the body as a reflection of the wearer and also the

on their space and get messy and creative. Abbey

designer who created it.

finds that there is a very fine line between her work life and home life but she puts that down to the creative side of things. She works hard to keeps the business side of things very separate to the rest of her life.

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~ Andrea Innocent ~ ~ Illustrator & Motion Designer ~

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Andrea Innocent is a woman of many talents.

When she was younger Andrea remembers

Originally studying fashion design she has just

creating lots of character designs, sparking her

finished her masters degree in multimedia

passion for illustration. She also remembers

and to say that is her true calling is a massive

her dad bringing home computer printer paper

understatement! She loves that animation

from work, the one that was like a long scroll with

and illustration was the way to go, it just

perforations every so often and holes along the

seemed like a perfect way for her to use my

edge. With this Andrea used to create long scroll

drawing skills and get to collaborate on fun

stories with the paper. Both of her parents are

projects with other people.

creative but never had the opportunity to work in the design industry, so they always encouraged

A typical day for Andrea consists of dropping

Andrea’s creativity. She was surrounded by lots of

her 18-month old son off at day-care, then

inspiring books at home that Andrea would flip

catching up on emails and doing some general

through and she knew from then that she would

housekeeping for her shop or for her website.

end up in the art world or in a design firm.

Then it’s onto the creating, depending on what stage Andrea is up to in a project it could be

Andrea’s design process consists of getting a

anything from initial sketches to the final art.

brief where she can spend anywhere between an

After a quick lunch break its back to working on

hour or two to a day brainstorming and sketching

the jobs. When it hits about 3’o’clock she likes

ideas and putting together rough ideas to send

to take a break and take some time to work on

through to the client. After sending through the

some personal projects such as drawing or making

first concepts there is often feedback from the

collages, anything that frees her mind from the

client and art director to fine-tune the illustration/

structure of commercial work.

character design.

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Andrea finds there are around three changes until

Taking time out and spending time with nature

a final design is finally settled on and then it’s

also gives her brain the space to think and just do

proceeding onto the final artwork. All of her line

nothing is really therapeutic for her. Andrea also

work is still created by hand if possible because

finds that being able to teach helps to dissect her

Andrea feels as though digital work can feel a little

own practice and process and allow her to fine

“traced” and contrived if the lines aren’t as ‘fresh’.

tune the important business of ideation. When

She also doesn’t use the computer for preliminary

you ask her what the best thing is about her

work and concept sketches as she finds her ideas

job that would be hands down being able to

flow better on paper. Andrea believes that it is

be paid to draw!

important to keep it simple for your brain when you are working on concepts and brainstorming

With her background in multimedia Andrea

so the less complicated the tool the better.

doesn’t struggle to stand out from the crowd,

Paper and mechanical pencils are her weapons

as she was lucky that she made her contacts

of choice always when it comes to those first

before the web hit saturation point. She does

initial drawings and ideas.

feel like it is important to have an edge and some sort of differentiation from others in your work

The hardest thing about freelancing Andrea finds

to stand out, but at the end of the day the reality

is beating the clock, as the deadlines are always

is that its all about the contacts that you make in

too tight. Trying to meet her client’s expectations

the real world that matters. Andrea also feels it

when there are issues with communication and

to be important to try and create work that you

unclear expectations and getting paid on time.

personally find meaning in, clients and customers

Sourcing inspiration from her son and her partner

like to know that there is a story behind your work,

as cheesy as it sounds really helps to spark that

its process and how you got there.

creativity within Andrea.

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Previous page “Fox Girl” Above “Let’s go to Japan”

“China Girl”

“Spaghetti Arm Sally”

“Dimension Love”

When you ask her to describe her work, Andrea

With any medium Andrea thinks that technology

struggles a little bit as it is often hard to describe

has its limitations, as there are also limitations

your own work. It is so intrinsically linked to your

to your skill and time you have to complete a

hand eye coordination you developed as a child

job. These are some of the constant challenges

and the lines you’ve been drawing your whole life

she faces as a designer and illustrator. Spending

and that are something that only no one else can

more time on the conceptual process Andrea’s

understand. From what she has heard from other

time is split 50/50 with using technology and

people’s comments she would say that her work is

creating by hand.

obvious in its Asian influence and that it also has a dark side and deeper meanings to it. On the other

Her advice for future designers is to ask for more

hand it also has been described as whimsical and

money than you think you are worth and her

quirky! Since she started creating, Andrea thinks

best of advice she has ever received is to answer

that her works has developed and become more

the phone. Get out and meet people and do the

sophisticated and efficient.

things you have to do to make your mark on the world. Speaking of answering the phone, you’ll

As for the future of hand crafted design Andrea

usually find Andrea doodling circles with faces in

only sees it going up and up. She believes that

it while having a chat trying to pass time!

there is a backlash against mass production in general and people prefer to curate their own objects and personal items as much as they can.

And when it comes to using technology there’s one piece that Andrea could never live without her Wacom tablet. She jokes that she would never have become an illustrator without it!

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~ Greedy Hen ~ ~ Collaborative Artists ~

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Previous page “Burn Chills” Above “Greedy Hen”

Can you talk me through your design process?

We get excited about an idea and bounce it around like table tennis till is becomes something real and tangible. Fortunately we have the same sense of humor so the process of making is an easy visual communication between the two of us.

Do you have memories of being creative when you were younger?

Absolutely! Kate would draw the insides of dinosaurs non-stop and create stamps for all the countries in the world (real and otherwise) and Katherine would paint clothes onto her body instead of getting dressed.

What made you want to get into the industry that you are in?

It was a natural progression of our interests and passions. Working with visuals is the only thing we both know how to do.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Making images to exist in the world.

“Greedy Hen Photo” 78

What’s your favorite method to use?

How long does a project usually take?

We are conceptually driven so the artworks always

It 100% depends on the nature of the project.

operate on multiple levels. We use everything;

A stop frame animation can take 6 months to

Photoshop, crayons, over head projectors,

make and an Illustration can take a day or two

cameras, watercolor paints, collage, etc

sometimes a week.

Who inspires you?

In a digital age, do you struggle to stand

Anyone who commits to doing what they are

out from the crowd?

passionate about regardless of the social climate

We don’t think about it like that. We have a

they find themselves in.

particular aesthetic and we hone in on that.

Obviously we’re always looking at what other

Is there a medium that you gravitate to?

artists are doing and we’re constantly inspired by

Kate loves paper, textas, and cutting out and

what folks around us are making. But everyone has

Katherine loves collage and watercolor paint.

their own style, even those that are aesthetically

We both could not live without Photoshop.

similar, always have something else unique going on with them.

What do you do to get out of a creative rut?

Kate talks, paces around, looks at things, tries to suspend the mind chatter for a moment, runs, eats, talks some more. Katherine likes to lie in the park and talk through all the possibilities. Usually we get out of the rut the moment we start talking.

Do you think your art style has changed and evolved since you first started?

Absolutely! An art practice should evolve over time as you learn new skills, new techniques and become curious to test out ideas.

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“The Tallest Ship” Opposite page “The Secret Level”

What do you still do by hand and why?

Have you got any advice for students

Photoshop is a tool to us like the pottery wheel is

or future designers?

to a potter. We like to use digital in an analogue

This profession is a long term vision, be in it

way, with scanned in painted elements, textures

for the long haul, work really hard and do it

from paper, pencil markings etc, which are real

because it excites you!

elements coming together in a digital program.

We don’t see that there’s a hierarchy of processes or skills it’s just that we prefer to still be able to see that makers hand in digital processes.

You’re a new addition to the crayon box.

What color would you be and why?

We’d want to be all vibes in one. A multicolored crayon! So I guess all the colours mixed together

How do your clients influence your work?

Clients provide the framework for a project, a structure. You’re working with them to realize a vision they have. Other times they let us run free and wild, we like that too.

would be mud huh? Ha ha! That’s us “Mud”.

If you are sitting on the phone on hold, what is the one thing you always draw while trying to pass time?

Kate: Flowers, hundreds of flowers.

What are some of the challenges that you face in your job?

Creative ideas and dreams that are bigger than our budget.

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Katherine: Abstract shapes and typography.

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~ References ~

Gemma O’Brien Spreads Gilmore, C. (2016). On ‘knowing your shit’ and word to the wise: typographer Gemma O’Brien, the interview. Warhol’s Children. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://warholschildren. tumblr.com/post/48176185959/on-knowing-your-shit-and-word-to-the-wise magazine, l. (2014). lamono #95 PURE. Issuu. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from https://issuu.com/lamonomagazine/docs/mono95_issue_ok/39?e=1409834/6984035 O’Brien, G. (2016). Jackywinter.com. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://jackywinter.com/artists/gemma-obrien/attachment/gemmaobrien_20160317-jpg_02 O’Brien, G. (2016). How to Be an Effective Typographer by Gemma O’Brien | STATUS Magazine. Pinterest. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from https://au.pinterest.com/ pin/543317142529720208/ O’Brien, G. (2016). T Y P O G R A P H Y //. Pinterest. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from https://au.pinterest.com/pin/543317142529720213/ O’Brien, G. (2016). T Y P O G R A P H Y //. Pinterest. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from https://au.pinterest.com/pin/543317142529720422/ O’Brien, G. (2016). T Y P O G R A P H Y //. Pinterest. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from https://au.pinterest.com/pin/543317142529792432/ Profiles – Gemma O’Brien {For the Love of Type} | Designers Journal. (2016). Designersjournal.net. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://www.designersjournal.net/jottings/profiles/ profiles-gemma-obrien-for-the-love-of-type Q&A: Typographer Gemma O’Brien « We Love Perth. (2013). Weloveperth.net.au. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://weloveperth.net.au/qa-typographer-gemma-obrien/ throwback thursday - gemma o’brien. (2013). Frankie.com.au. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://www.frankie.com.au/blogs/design/throwback-thursday-gemma-o-brien Lauren Carney Spreads Carney, L. (2016). lauren carney. Laurencarneyart.blogspot.com.au. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://laurencarneyart.blogspot.com.au Carney, L. (2014). Lauren Carney artwork. Laurencarneyart.com. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://www.laurencarneyart.com Instagram photo by Lauren Carney • Jul 26, 2016 at 8:01am UTC. (2016). Instagram. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from https://www.instagram.com/p/BIUTZjlgYCf/ Julian Frost Spreads Frost, J. (2013). Dumb Ways to Die posters. Julianfrost.co.nz. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://julianfrost.co.nz/work/DWTDillustrations/ Frost, J. Black and white pictures. Julianfrost.co.nz. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://julianfrost.co.nz/work/blackandwhite/ Jasmine Dowling Spreads Dowling, J. (2016). BECOMING JASMINE: ALL OR SOMETHING... Jasmine Dowling. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://jasminedowling.com/blog/2016/7/12/becoming-jasmineall-or-nothing-or-some Dowling, J. (2016). PORTFOLIO. Jasmine Dowling. Retrieved 15 September 2016, from http://jasminedowling.com/studio/ All other images supplied by Jasmine Dowling Caitlin Shearer Spreads All images supplied by the artist Luci Everett Spreads Everett, L. Bridal Bouquet. Lucieverett.com. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from http://www.lucieverett.com/Bridal-bouquet Everett, L. Loose Froot. Lucieverett.com. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from http://www.lucieverett.com/Loose-froot Everett, L. Pears - Luci Everett. Lucieverett.com. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from http://www.lucieverett.com/Pears Everett, L. Right now - Luci Everett. Lucieverett.com. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from http://www.lucieverett.com/Right-now

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Abbey Rich Spreads Rich, A. (2016). Instagram photo by Abbey Rich • Aug 28, 2016 at 1:28am UTC. Instagram. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from https://www.instagram.com/p/BJokkqdgsJa/?taken-by=abbey_rich Rich, A. (2016). ‘leafy’ top. Abbey Rich. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from https://abbey-rich.squarespace.com/shop/vcwi2ayp4s53bxj4sati6g5lp0ndbq Rich, A. (2016). ‘preservation’ jumpsuit (denim). Abbey Rich. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from https://abbey-rich.squarespace.com/shop/yo6a87dr3f6qmygk44eauqq9y3uaoi Rich, A. (2016). ‘protect’ smock. Abbey Rich. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from https://abbey-rich.squarespace.com/shop/protect-smock Rich, A. (2016). ‘warmed’ turtleneck sweater. Abbey Rich. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from https://abbey-rich.squarespace.com/shop/keep-me-warm-turtleneck Andrea Innocent Spreads Innocent, A. Iniwoo.net. Retrieved 19 September 2016, from http://iniwoo.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/illustration-inspiration-andrea-innocent-china-girl.png Innocent, A. (2016). otoshimono | Dimension Love. Otoshimono.org. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from http://www.otoshimono.org/projects/dimension-love/ Innocent, A. (2016). otoshimono | Japanese Folktales. Otoshimono.org. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from http://www.otoshimono.org/art/japanese-folktales/ Innocent, A. otoshimono | Let’s Go Japan. Otoshimono.org. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from http://www.otoshimono.org/projects/lets-go-japan/ Innocent, A. otoshimono | Otoshimono. Otoshimono.org. Retrieved 18 September 2016, from http://www.otoshimono.org/projects/otoshimono/ The Greedy Hen Spreads All images supplied by the artist

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