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ISSUE 249 FEBRUARY 2016 Digital edition Produced in the UK
FREELANCE video SPECIAL
BRANDING How high-end motion design is revolutionising branding
Exclusive video: four freelance illustrators and their agent share the secrets of their success
MASTER THE ART OF PAPERCRAFT How Owen Gildersleeve built a life-size Nissan out of foam board and folded paper
WEL CO M E
February 2016
editor’s letter Freelancing doesn’t necessarily get easier as you gain experience: you just have a different set of challenges to face. With this in mind, this month’s retro-games-themed cover feature will help you take things to the next level, whatever stage you’re at. Whether you’re just taking your first steps into the unknown, planning to build on your existing success or are striving for full-scale world domination, there’s plenty there to help you do exactly that. In a similar vein, we’ve also shifted the focus of our regular video insight feature from the inner workings of top studios to the trials and tribulations of freelance life – an agent and four of the illustrators he represents chat to a CA film crew about the secrets of their success. Following the news that Black Pencil-winning motion graphics wizard ManvsMachine – fourth-placed in CA’s UK Studio Rankings 2015 – was recently acquired by global branding behemoth Landor, this issue’s special report asks if this is symptomatic of a much more significant role for motion design in branding. Finally, a spot of housekeeping: I’m heading off on a three-month sabbatical next issue, leaving CA in the more-than-capable hands of acting co-editors Julia Sagar and Jim Thacker. Before I go, we’ve been working together on some exciting plans for next month’s landmark 250th issue, which also happens to mark 20 years since CA was launched – it’ll be a real collector’s item, I promise. See you in April!
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Nick Carson Editor
nick.carson@futurenet.com
featuring
emmanuel pajon
Cover artist Emmanuel (aka Kaeru) is an illustrator based in Buenos Aires. He’s spent several years working for small creative studios as a full-time employee, and as a freelancer for brands including Levi’s, Cynar and MTV. He is currently an art director at mobile game studio LemonChili. www.kaeru.com.ar
Kyle Wilkinson
Award-winning designer Kyle is based in Yorkshire, England. He is a regular panellist on BBC Radio commenting on design, and his clients include Time Inc, Bosch and the NHS. He also nearly blinded himself in the name of design, projecting this issue’s Design Matters piece onto his own eyeball. www.kylewilkinson.co.uk
Stina Jones
Manchester-based freelance illustrator Stina creates quirky, fun imagery for everything from print and web marketing campaigns to art prints and character designs. Her portfolio includes work for BBC, Ordnance Survey and HTC: she shares her wisdom in our cover feature on page 42. www.stinajones.co.uk
Evaldas Cesnavicius
Originally from Lithuania, look development, design and lighting artist Evaldas studied at Los Angeles’ renowned Gnomon School of Visual Effects and now works freelance for various studios around Europe including Trizz, PostPanic and Korb among others. www.blackpixels.net
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Phoebe Glasfurd
Phoebe and creative partner Eren Fieldwalker founded Vancouver studio Glasfurd & Walker in 2007, working across graphic design and art direction for print and online, exhibitions and packaging. Discover how the studio developed a new brand for Canadian restaurant and distillery Park on page 82. www.glasfurdandwalker.com
M EET T H E T E AM
FEbruary 2016
Meet the team Future Publishing Ltd, QUAY HOUSE, THE AMBURY, BATH BA1 1UA Phone 01225 442 244 Fax 01225 732 275 Email hello@computerarts.co.uk Web computerarts.creativebloq.com
Editorial
Advertising
Jo Gulliver Art editor jo.gulliver@futurenet.com
CHRIS MITCHELL AND MATT BAILEY Account directors chris.mitchell@futurenet.com matt.bailey@futurenet.com
Nick Carson Editor nick.carson@futurenet.com
Production & DISTRIBUTION
Julia Sagar COMMISSIONING editor julia.sagar@futurenet.com
Printing: William Gibbons & Sons Ltd Finishing partner: Celloglas Distribution: Seymour Distribution, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT, Tel: 0207 429 4000 Overseas distribution: Seymour International
DOMINIC CARTER STAFF WRITER dominic.carter@futurenet.com PETE GRAY VIDEO producer peter.gray@futurenet.com Craig Stewart Managing Editor, Creative Bloq craig.stewart@futurenet.com
Art editor Jo joined Nick to meet the team at MP Arts this month, and put her formidable strength to the test bouldering in Holland. She also has a crush on someone featured in this issue, but won’t reveal who.
Cat Ellis
Circulation
Operations editor Cat had a great time interviewing creatives for this month’s Showcase, but worries what kind of impression she’s made on the team after receiving a Cliff Richard calendar in the office Secret Santa.
JULIETTE WINYARD Trade marketing manager: 07551 150 984
SUBSCRIPTIONS
charlotte lloyd-williams Direct marketing executive charlotte.lloyd-williams@futurenet.com UK readers: 0844 848 2852 Overseas readers: +44 (0)1604 251045 Online enquiries: myfavouritemagazines.co.uk computerarts@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
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Matt Ellis Senior licensing and syndication manager matt.ellis@futurenet.com Tel: +44 (0)1225 442244 Fax: +44 (0)1225 732275
Contributors
MANAGEMENT
Want to work for Future? Visit www.futurenet.com/jobs
jo gulliver
VivIENNE CALVERT Production controller Mark Constance Production manager
Kerrie Hughes CoNTENT MANAGER, Creative Bloq kerrie.hughes@futurenet.com
Becca Allen, Zaneta Antosik, Paula Benson, Paul Blackburn, Ladislas Chachignot, Tom Dennis, FranklinTill, Michael Lester, Stasys Mačiulskas, Tom May, Emmanuel Pajon, Anna Richardson Taylor, Jamie Schildhauer, Ben Tallon, Alex Thomas, Kyle Wilkinson, Anne Wollenberg, Tom Woolley
editor Nick is preparing to depart on a well-deserved sabbatical, soaking up the culture in India and Indonesia – but not before travelling to London to interview the team at MP Arts for this month’s video.
SASHA MCGREGOR Ad manager sasha.mcgregor@futurenet.com
Cat Ellis Operations editor cat.ellis@futurenet.com
SAMMY MAINE DEPUTY COMMISSIONING editor sammy.maine.@futurenet.com
Nick Carson
Nial Ferguson Content & Marketing director MATT PIERCE Head of Content & Marketing, Photography, Creative & Design DAN OLIVER Group editor-in-chief, Creative & Design RODNEY DIVE Group art director, Photography, Creative & Design TOM MAY Group content editor
staff COntributors julia sagar
COMMISSIONING EDITOR This month, Julia is facing a small logistical challenge: how to transport a car bonnet, as well as her family’s Christmas presents, from Bristol to Bahrain via public transport. Suggestions on a postcard, please.
Next issue on sale 5 February 2016
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sammy maine
deputy commissioning editor Sammy is struggling to decide on her favourite album of the year (though The Hunger Games is a clear winner for best film). Despite being spoiled rotten over Christmas, her dog Pickle is failing to help.
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february 2016
ISSUE 24 9 f ebrua r y 20 16
10
Culture
Trends: A project that transforms physical objects in digital space, plus knitwear-inspired resin furniture
13
P laces: Nina Geometrieva, chief creative officer of Paktor, shares the hidden delights of Singapore
14 People: Kjell Ekhorn and Jon Forss of Non-Format discuss their new partnership with design giant ANTI 16
vents: The London Illustration Fair comes of age, E and Stack celebrates the best independent magazines
20
B ack to the floor: How Form co-founder Paula Benson achieved the ideal work/life balance
Insight
Stop punishing freelancers: Illustrator 24 Ben Tallon speaks out for freelancers’ right to tax relief
Showcase
26 give in to your inner socialist: Don’t let commercial work drain your soul, says Paul Blackburn
Our selection of the world’s best new graphic design, illustration and motion graphics work 28
d iary 2 diary 1
Project diaries
A new brand identity for a restaurant in the Canadian Rockies, a life-sized papercraft car for Nissan and an astonishing showcase of BMX talent 82
d iary 3
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v id e o ins ig h t
MAKE IT AS A FREELANCER
In a freelance video special, four illustrators and their shared agent reveal the secrets of their success so far 76
C O N TE N TS
february 2016
ne e d t o k no w
Pay less tax
Working for yourself means taking charge of your own tax affairs, but don’t panic – it’s not difficult and you might be surprised what you can claim back to reduce your bill 70
i ndu str y i ssu es
GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Anne Wollenberg reveals how to tackle the various challenges that freelance life holds, from first starting out through to building a thriving career 60
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE UP TO 63% Three great ways to subscribe to the world’s best design mag: Print Digital Both See page 40 Or join Computer Arts Pro! See page 74
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s p eci a l r ep or t
Motion matters
Motion design is no longer an add-on in brand development – it’s an essential part of helping clients tell their stories 42
IN CONVERSATION
EVALDUS CESNAVICIUS Don’t let geography hold you back – follow the opportunities wherever they are, says this in-demand Lithuanian freelancer 52
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CULTUR E Tr e n d s
W E L O VE...
Digital upcycling Bastiaan de Nennie reverse-engineers everyday physical objects into completely new forms in digital space ver recent years we’ve witnessed the democratisation of the idea of craft and craftsmanship. The revered masters of traditional design practices have been joined by digital designers mastering 3D printing and algorithmic design. ‘Code-craft’ is usurping handicraft in the hierarchy of skillsets as we see the emergence of the digital artisan. These designers are challenging the preconceived notion of what a digital aesthetic should look like. No longer conforming to the clean, perfected finish that has been synonymous with such design in the past, this bold new generation of digital designers is manipulating established processes and exploiting the infinite potential of the digital palette to create chaotic and ad-hoc approaches with signature styles. Brash and beautiful, Bastiaan de Nennie’s Digital Virtuosity project is a collection of futuristic products for a post digital age with a bizarre and hybridised aesthetic. Through his ‘reverse design process’, De Nennie first deconstructs and digitises familiar objects with the use of a 3D scanner before reconstructing the individual elements in a digital bricolage. The result is a set of curious, amalgamated objects treated with rendered surface patterns and highly synthetic colours that retain an oddly nostalgic resonance of the original form. Through combining ‘man-made’ choices with computer generated distortions, de Nennie sketches entirely new objects for our post-digital future, virtually upcycled from objects of our present. Learn more about de Nennie’s transformative work at www.bastiaandenennie.com Each month, our Trends section is curated by experienced creative consultancy FranklinTill www.franklintill.com
image CrediT: Bastiaan de Nennie
O
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CULTUR E T rend s
February 2016
D E S I G N ED FOR LI FE
COzy curves KNIT by Curver’s Cozy Stool combines emotional response with functional design he KNIT homewear collection is the fruit of a collaboration between creative plastic expert Curver and design studio FranklinTill. Curver has followed FranklinTill for some time, and its forecasting expertise, combined with its work curating exhibitions, made it the perfect partner for the collection’s launch at the London Design Festival. Knitting elicits feelings of warmth and nostalgia, which Curver sought to capture in each piece. Its parent company, the Keter Group, undertook long and intensive research to understand how a resin-based product could have the ‘feel’ of a knit to create the same reaction. For the collection’s launch, FranklinTill created a designled and colour-inspired five-storey staircase installation and exhibition, with tools, tables, baskets and planters suspended from the ceiling in a playful display. “As creative trend and colour forecasters, we are delighted to be collaborating with Curver on KNIT to curate and showcase an exciting collection that combines true material innovation with directional design styling and colour application,” says FranklinTill’s Kate Franklin.
T
KNIT by Curver www.knitbycurver.com Retailers and prices available soon
Stay one step ahead with our barometer of visual cool
m ainstream
Pastels rule following Pantone’s announcement of Rose Quartz and Serenity as colours of the year for 2016.
STILL FRESH
Food becomes art as ingredients are arranged in strict geometric still life photographs to form colourful patterns.
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emerging
Bright 1980s graphic characters and bubble fonts lend communication design a playful retro direction.
Illustration: Michael Lester www.michaelwilliamlester.com
T R E N D ING
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