This post sums up copyright and intellectual property as a whole, in the following posts I will take a more in depth look at different points.
The intellectual copyright law prevents other people and companies from using your work without your permission - that being said, artists do sometimes offer a creative commons licence which allows people to use their work if not for commercial reasons (they do not gain profit from using this work). It is used to protect an actual result, not an idea; if you had an idea for an artwork or a book (just two examples of creations) and someone else created the piece, there is nothing you can do about it; you have no grounds to stand on in a court of law.
For artistic creations, copyright is an automatic right - there is no charge nor need to apply for any kind of paperwork to have intellectual property protection. This falls under "design" category of property protection - there are two others, patents and trademarks (which I will discuss later).
Other areas protected by copyright laws are:
The names of any products or brands you own
Any inventions you create
Design or aesthetic of any of your products
Anything you write, create, or produce
It covers both 2D and 3D artistic creations
For artworks, copyright laws only protect work for 70 years after death - this usually results in a sudden surge of artworks being produced in clothing, pottery, etc. around 70 years after a popular artists' death (i.e. John Tenniel's illustrations being sold on cups in Whittards).
You own the rights to buy, sell, and licence any intellectual property that you have, however if you take a case to court and the judge finds the defendant's work funny, they will receive no charge under the law of parody.
Source(s) of information:
ipo.gov.uk/types/copy/c-about.htm
Notes taken from lecture delivered by Amy Dover.
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Characters Module Artist Views Pt 1
_moon
An illustrator based in Nantes, France - some influences for her work come from a background in both fine art and illustration. Most of her works rely on a monochromatic scheme using black inks though some do hold colour. Though I have been focusing on broadening my horizons and looking at a variety of style, it is this style that I favour over anything else - the sketchy style, almost scratchy, and the atmosphere built up through mainly a use of line is the kind of style I'm very interested in.
An illustrator based in Nantes, France - some influences for her work come from a background in both fine art and illustration. Most of her works rely on a monochromatic scheme using black inks though some do hold colour. Though I have been focusing on broadening my horizons and looking at a variety of style, it is this style that I favour over anything else - the sketchy style, almost scratchy, and the atmosphere built up through mainly a use of line is the kind of style I'm very interested in.
( Behance )
Ricardo Zema
A digital illustrator based in Faenza, Italy. His works contain mostly a use of neutral or calmer tones with maybe a few splashes of vivid colour - it sets an eerie atmosphere and, despite its cutesy subjects, offers up an unnerving image at times. What draws me to him most as an artist is the ability to create smooth toning despite a wide use of block colours.
( Behance )
Animals Module Artist Views Pt 3
Naomi Butterfield
An artist based on NYC, Brooklyn, however originally from Los Angeles. Her works are both a mixture of monochromatic or beautifully coloured imagery - however vivid colours do not detract from the horror/macabre style that her work boasts. A twisted imagination shows through these works, and it definitely feels like the sort of artistic direction I would like to take myself.
An artist based on NYC, Brooklyn, however originally from Los Angeles. Her works are both a mixture of monochromatic or beautifully coloured imagery - however vivid colours do not detract from the horror/macabre style that her work boasts. A twisted imagination shows through these works, and it definitely feels like the sort of artistic direction I would like to take myself.
( Behance )
Ana Stefaniak
An illustrator and animator based in London, UK. Her illustrations take on a more crude/naive style with a range of pastel colours - however to contrast this innocent style is imagery suggestive of more illuminati or occult style themes, often featuring third eyes and other references. This creates a very strange atmosphere relative to the current 'pastel grunge' trend, and is something I take interest in.
( Behance )
Saturday, 8 November 2014
Animals Module Artist Views Pt 2
Paulina Mocna
A fine arts influenced illustrator based in Wroclaw, Poland. Could not find much information on them, however looking at their work it seems they mostly work with prints (could be either screen or mono printing). The minimalistic style relies heavily on shape and line to create its desired effect. My own work tends to lean to a more dark side - even if it's not obvious, and there are subtle hints of such a style within Mocna's work that I feel like I can relate to and appreciate.
A fine arts influenced illustrator based in Wroclaw, Poland. Could not find much information on them, however looking at their work it seems they mostly work with prints (could be either screen or mono printing). The minimalistic style relies heavily on shape and line to create its desired effect. My own work tends to lean to a more dark side - even if it's not obvious, and there are subtle hints of such a style within Mocna's work that I feel like I can relate to and appreciate.
( Behance )
David G. Ferrero
An illustrator/art director based in Gijon, Spain; he has a great interest in character designing and cartooning, something that definitely reflects in his work. His pieces boast an unusual style - simple figures and shapes with vivid colours however toned down by a gritty overlay or filter which brings an almost sinister or darker tone to his work. I feel his work almost seems to be an animation, even if it is just stills, which is an interesting effect that I find favourable.
An illustrator/art director based in Gijon, Spain; he has a great interest in character designing and cartooning, something that definitely reflects in his work. His pieces boast an unusual style - simple figures and shapes with vivid colours however toned down by a gritty overlay or filter which brings an almost sinister or darker tone to his work. I feel his work almost seems to be an animation, even if it is just stills, which is an interesting effect that I find favourable.
( Behance )
Animals Module Artist Views Pt 1
Andrew Fox
A freelance illustrator based in London, UK. His work is unusual in that many of his series are created through the sole usage of a calligraphy pen - very short pieces however effective in their style. These simplistic designs are well suited for business cards. As a part of my own influences, I'm looking a lot more into simpler pieces - its this minimalist design though coupled with ingenuity through use of materials that draws me to Fox's work.
A freelance illustrator based in London, UK. His work is unusual in that many of his series are created through the sole usage of a calligraphy pen - very short pieces however effective in their style. These simplistic designs are well suited for business cards. As a part of my own influences, I'm looking a lot more into simpler pieces - its this minimalist design though coupled with ingenuity through use of materials that draws me to Fox's work.
( Behance )
Juliana Cuervo
An illustrator and 2D animator currently working in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A use of simplistic colouring styles coupled with additional detail through line creates an interesting effect in these cutesy illustrations. This naive illustration style is very attractive to me - the aesthetic of rough textures and hastily drawn line is something I feel I could maybe look more into.
Reportage Module Artist Views Pt 3
Ilaria Proietti
A freelance graphic designer/illustrator with a penchant for character design, so most of their reportage work focuses on the observation of people as compared to buildings and locations. A fine art influence leads to a series of interestingly styled drawings and colour themes - not to mention pattern, finely displayed in the first image, is the first thing that caught my eye about these images.
A freelance graphic designer/illustrator with a penchant for character design, so most of their reportage work focuses on the observation of people as compared to buildings and locations. A fine art influence leads to a series of interestingly styled drawings and colour themes - not to mention pattern, finely displayed in the first image, is the first thing that caught my eye about these images.
( Behance )
Rhiannon Ladd
Based in East Grinstead, UK. She has a passion more for painting and as a hobby takes up another craft (sewing cushions). Her reportage features full colour detail resembling that of almost a graphic novel style through boldly applied colour and outline. Her reportage work almost boasts a feel of Britishness, a concept of national identity that I find appealing.
( Behance )
Friday, 7 November 2014
Reportage Module Artist Views Pt 2
Philippine d'Otreppe
Illustrator in training originally from Belgium however now located in Bournemouth studying at the Arts University. Works from traditional drawing and print design with a specific interest in reportage and location drawing. Her work relies heavily in linework rather than detailed colour or shading. Heavy, bold pencil lines that are almost daring is my favourite part of d'Otreppe's works.
Illustrator in training originally from Belgium however now located in Bournemouth studying at the Arts University. Works from traditional drawing and print design with a specific interest in reportage and location drawing. Her work relies heavily in linework rather than detailed colour or shading. Heavy, bold pencil lines that are almost daring is my favourite part of d'Otreppe's works.
( Behance )
Katie Tomlinson
Another illustrator in training (final year in Visual communication; illustration). She has a passion for traditional methods such as drawing and print making, following a favoured brief of reportage and documentational drawing. Her bright colours coupled with naive-styled line work boast work with a more uplifting atmosphere - and this uplifting, almost child-like atmosphere contrasts my own work enough for me to find interest in Tomlinson's works.
( Behance )
Reportage Module Artist Views Pt 1
Amanda Rivera
A designer/illustrator based in Brooklyn, NY. She works with both digital and traditional media, rotating between the two. Her Chinatown reportage study shows a great usage of complementing colours and a texture that almost implies movement. It is the use of vivid colours that draws me to this artists work - I really like the almost psychedelic feel.
Katrina Kissell
A freelance illustrator based in Savannah, GA. She works mainly through traditional means and uses digital almost solely to clean up work. In full colour pieces she applies the colour almost hastily (whether it be with watercolour or soft pastel) to create a more hazy or dreamlike effect. The use of line (especially in pencil sketches) and overall sketchy style is what I like about Kissell's work.
A designer/illustrator based in Brooklyn, NY. She works with both digital and traditional media, rotating between the two. Her Chinatown reportage study shows a great usage of complementing colours and a texture that almost implies movement. It is the use of vivid colours that draws me to this artists work - I really like the almost psychedelic feel.
( Behance )
Katrina Kissell
A freelance illustrator based in Savannah, GA. She works mainly through traditional means and uses digital almost solely to clean up work. In full colour pieces she applies the colour almost hastily (whether it be with watercolour or soft pastel) to create a more hazy or dreamlike effect. The use of line (especially in pencil sketches) and overall sketchy style is what I like about Kissell's work.
( Behance )
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Design Houses
Design houses are groups of (as the name implies) designers (illustrators, graphic designers) that all work within the same house style. Those within these groups often have to adopt a certain style and work to that. People of design houses usually work with clients who have been discovered by the company itself, working through an agent, it is easier to find work, and will be a lot more regular than those in freelance.
These jobs supply a lot more security in that you don't have to depend on your own networking to find work, and your work will usually be shown to a fairly large audience. However, it has its drawbacks - most companies require you to conform to a certain style and cater to more corporate customers; those that don't demand you have very impressive work and stand out. In order to have your creative freedom, you need to work much harder for it.
This way of working is a lot more stable and probably offers a lot more restful nights - however I personally don't think I could work this way, as I require a lot more freedom; the stability would be nice but it is more my style to work hard for a more regular income than to give up some of my creative freedom.
These jobs supply a lot more security in that you don't have to depend on your own networking to find work, and your work will usually be shown to a fairly large audience. However, it has its drawbacks - most companies require you to conform to a certain style and cater to more corporate customers; those that don't demand you have very impressive work and stand out. In order to have your creative freedom, you need to work much harder for it.
This way of working is a lot more stable and probably offers a lot more restful nights - however I personally don't think I could work this way, as I require a lot more freedom; the stability would be nice but it is more my style to work hard for a more regular income than to give up some of my creative freedom.
Freelance
Freelance illustration is a very independent way to go - you get to keep your own style, work your own hours, and work from the comfort of your own home- this makes it sound like the ideal lifestyle with a lot of creative freedom.
Whilst the latter is true, this ideal lifestyle doesn't come without its hardships. Though you get to choose when you work, you will have to work hard and often and this requires a lot of self motivation - especially in the beginning. You can go weeks without work, only for it to all come through at once, which can seem quite overwhelming. Though you get to keep your own style, you have to make sure you sell it well - and to top it off you have to network as if your life depends on it (which, it kind of does).
All of these facts make freelancing a difficult (but enjoyable) path of work. It is important to keep enthusiastic about what you're doing, and to never turn down any opportunities - this includes competitions, exhibitions (make sure you photograph them well!) and - mainly in the beginning - any cheap or free work. Collaborations are important too, as they expand your network and show your work to a wider audience - not only to your own following but the person(s)' you collaborate with too
Ultimately, it seems like something I would find difficult but much prefer over to any other style of work. Though I like working to a brief, I love to have my own freedom, and freelancing is a bit of a mix of the two.
Whilst the latter is true, this ideal lifestyle doesn't come without its hardships. Though you get to choose when you work, you will have to work hard and often and this requires a lot of self motivation - especially in the beginning. You can go weeks without work, only for it to all come through at once, which can seem quite overwhelming. Though you get to keep your own style, you have to make sure you sell it well - and to top it off you have to network as if your life depends on it (which, it kind of does).
All of these facts make freelancing a difficult (but enjoyable) path of work. It is important to keep enthusiastic about what you're doing, and to never turn down any opportunities - this includes competitions, exhibitions (make sure you photograph them well!) and - mainly in the beginning - any cheap or free work. Collaborations are important too, as they expand your network and show your work to a wider audience - not only to your own following but the person(s)' you collaborate with too
Ultimately, it seems like something I would find difficult but much prefer over to any other style of work. Though I like working to a brief, I love to have my own freedom, and freelancing is a bit of a mix of the two.
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