New Illustration Style - Freedom!
Over a week ago (I was away in Spain last week) I completed the design of this character for free as part of my ‘freebies’ promotions recently promoted on the main Truly Ace web site. I’m extremely taken with her.
Designing things that when completed actually excite me often tends to come hand in hand with designing things for free I find.
Free = Freedom
There is a certain amount of freedom associated with designing things for free. Essentially whether you are designing for free for charity, or designing for free as part of some promotion I have on (every now and then a freebie is a good promotional tool), I find that often this is where my better work comes from.
This evening I set about designing a character for use in the marketing materials of an aromatherapy business.
I started to design using illustrative methods I’m very accustomed to and immediately deleted it thinking “Yeak, I am so bored with that whole look” and decided to go for an etchings style that I have never used before but have seen and admired previously in the work of other designers.
When designing for free, I feel I have more freedom to design in styles that ‘I want’ - I’m very happy with the result of my design freedom and so is the recipient 
I shall probably design some more in this style, I like it a lot.
Interestingly enough, now I’ve returned from Spain (came back yesterday… to a flooded kitchen, but that’s another story), this image very much makes me think of our visit to Laguna Village during our stay.
They have a fabulous Spa area (with brilliant music by the way) called ‘Purobeach’ that I probably couldn’t afford even if I wanted to, but I could see it and hear it from from my beach lounger 
Fabulous resort by the way, simply beautiful for a visit.
Purobeach….
One of the Laguna Village bar/restaurants on right and entrance to Purobeach beyond…
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I understand what you mean Amanda about designing for yourself or for free. I’ve produced a number of pen illustrations for myself which have lead to other things. I mainly liked leaving the computer behind and just drawing, trouble is finding the time, but when I do I’m always glad I did. Always good to have a little play around. Gareth
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
You know, most designers seem to like starting out with paper first and then move those ideas onto the pc, but whenever I try that it never works out very well on the whole and always takes me much longer.
I know they say you shouldn’t design straight onto the pc, you should always sketch first, but I never ever sketch first. It’s probably because I started out designing on the pc first and it’s the method I’ve got used to.
I only sketch first when I need to get design work done and my pc is on the blink and I’m sketching to save time on the design project whilst trying to fix it!
Nice link to your doodle by the way - such detail, my my you are patient
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I think that people need to do what every comes naturally and if you work more naturally on the PC then the PC it is! I generally do some sketching before projects but you can only take this so far before the Mac needs to get involved.
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
my doodles are done over a long period of time just picking them up for 15mins here 20 mins there, its almost relaxing, thanks for your feedback on them Amanda, cheers Gareth