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Signature Style versus Style-less?     16th Aug 2012

Signature Style versus Style-less?

This week I happened to spot this on a Creative Review blog featuring my work:

(Yes, occasionally I Google myself. Who doesn't?)

 

Creative Review Johanna Basford

 

To be fair, Mystery Man TM has a point.

My work does all have a signature aesthetic.

But I thought that was good thing?

(As did Mark seemingly).

 

I dismissed the comment and went about my business.

 

A few days later, I read an interview with someone I admire greatly, Seb Lester.

The man is a genius with a quill.

(It's not often you get to say that).

 

This part caught my attention:

 

Seb Lester interview

 

So now Mystery Man TM, Seb Lester AND Bruce Lee are all telling me that anonymity is aspirational?

This could no longer be ignored.

 

Is a signature style really a bad thing?

Should we be aiming to strip the fingerprints from our work?

If so, I'm in trouble.

 

Cut me and I'm pretty sure I would bleed black ink.

Intricate, monochrome pen and ink drawings are ‘my thing'.

 

This was deliberate.

I set out to try and become the very best at my chosen niche.

I wanted people to see a black and white drawing and wonder if it was mine.

I wanted to be synonymous with that style.

 

Why fade into the generic masses when you can stand out from the crowd?

 

Or so I thought.

 

Jack of all trades, master of none?

OR

One trick pony?

Which is worse?

 

Does a style spectrum increase your client net or dilute your appeal?

 

I asked Twitter and Facebook.

 

Flexibility was commonly hailed the Holy Grail.

The ability to turn your hand expertly to any task,

To silently morph yourself into the client's vision.

 

But then why hire me?

 

You want 3D neon typography?

Am I really the best illustrator for the job?

 

Surely my clients approach me because they like my style, not in spite of it?

That signature aesthetic that caught their eye is the foundation for each new piece,

not an annex.

 

Then there's the issue of boxing yourself in.

Small horses with miniature magical repertoires...

 

Getting stuck in a creative rut will doubtless loose you:

a.     clients

b.     your sanity

c.     your passion for the job.

Copy and paste is not a creative process.

 

So, evolution or revolution?

 

I aim to evolve and develop my signature style,

Not continually redefine it.

And with no regard for those things called ‘trends'.

*shudders*

 

When I scroll through my folio I see progression.

But I also see very clear and inky fingerprints.

There's one thread that runs through everything.

 

I've been told:

"You'd get more jobs if you worked in colour"

more often than you'd imagine.

 

I just don't believe it.

I'm ‘that girl that does the black and white'

Add CMYK and I'm...

Well, just another illustrator, surely?

 

So maybe it's all to do with disciplines.

Perhaps the Graphic Designers need to be fluid, bendy, discreet.

Whereas us Illustrators can benefit from a recognizable form?

If so, where does that leave the Photographers, the Typographers, the Animators and the Fashion Designers?

 

Personally, a signature style is something I have deliberately carved out.

I believe it is at the very core of my practice

and

(without sounding like a hippy)

me as a person.

It aids - as opposed to hinders - my progress.

 

I don't think it's an ego thing,

I just don't want to be extracted from my work.

 

I don't want to be aesthetically anonymous.

I want to be stylistically synonymous.

 

But you can't argue with Bruce Lee, can you?

 

J

Posted in - Ramblings

Comments

  • This is something I have been wondering about recently as I have just turned freelance. Lots seem to have a signature style but I have always thrived on challenging myself to come up with a whole variety of styles and I enjoy this. I think this is a good thing for me as I can then work for different companies without creating a conflict of interests (i design greetings cards and fabric designs).

    I dont think there is a wrong and right way, it is just what makes you happy - and I dont think you should feel pressured into working in a way you dont feel comfortable with as it will always show in your work.

    You create beautiful black and white illustrations x
    Claire Hocking     16th Aug 2012
  • Its the difference between being the Main man or a mere session musician, I know which I would prefer...


    Lindsey Gardiner     16th Aug 2012
  • What I beautifully written debate. I think as discussed the other day there is a fine line on this one between Graphic Designers and Illustrators. Often a designer will not have this option if working on bigger brands and trapped in a whole world of brand guidelines. But this is often my issue with being a designer, as great as it is to have these big brands in your portfolio I often question whether Im a glorified artworker? With so many restrictions how you you claim it to be your design. Thats why i love working for my own smaller clients having full flexibility often from the very beginning.

    I get huge design envy from illustrators with such imaginative creations. Its not just a case of not getting that type of work but also that I simply could not do it. But happy being an admirer from the sidelines!

    And with the whole black v CMYK thing, you are so right to stick to what you do. I have honestly even asked that very question - I wonder if that Johanna did this? Big fan of your work so please do not change!
    Lisa x
    Lisa Butler     16th Aug 2012
  • Signature Style every time - you can tell an Oasis/Take That/Stone Roses song straight away - nothing wrong with that - you know what you are getting, so you buy the album!! It is the same thing - I dont think you would get Gary Barlow writing a track for Ian Brown!! I coud be mistaken mind you!!
    Nik Griffiths     16th Aug 2012
  • I think you hit the nail on the head.

    Graphic Designers (like me) need to be a little flexible, but I would much rather incorporate the work of an artist or illustrator with a strong identity into my work than some generic scribblings.

    I find that my own work, quite irritatingly at times, all looks like my work. Does not make a heap of sense, I know, but when I try to push things in different directions it can seem hard to break. I have found the trick is to embrace it and tie a thread all the way through my work.

    I am sure there will be people who disagree, but that is my two penneth.

    *Your blog does not allow apostrophes for some reason. The grammar pedant in me dislikes this!
    Steve Armstrong     16th Aug 2012
  • I both wholly agree and passionately disagree with you here, Johanna. I think there is a very important distinction that everybody (yourself included) seem to be missing; the distinction between style and medium.
    I would humbly suggest that an artist like you works in a signature medium, highly detailed illustration in black ink, however your style & content varies dynamically according to the needs of the client. It is this combination that clients are buying into. They want black ink illustration, they want detailed iconic imagery, but they want it to their specifications, they want it to fit in with their brand.
    Clients select you based on what you have done, but they do not want stock material or cut-n-paste content. They want bespoke creativity, in a manner that only you can deliver. If they do not want what you are selling, they will go elsewhere and you will never have to deliver substandard material.
    Andi Ramsay     16th Aug 2012
  • Is it not Holy grail?
    Scott     16th Aug 2012
  • Sorry about the apostrophe situation everyone, I am in the process of having this fixed :)
    Johanna     16th Aug 2012
  • Haters gonna hate no matter what you do.
    Regan Marshall     18th Aug 2012
  • Nicely put!
    Caroline     16th Aug 2012
  • Well written, Johanna! Thanks for this examination and dialog. "I find that my own work... all looks like my work." this is what I'm striving for and not just to be known for it but to develop and explore. Love your work!
    Nicky Ovitt     17th Aug 2012
  • Well, you know my thoughts on this to a degree, because I touched upon this very subject in my recent post about why I wasn't selling online anymore, which I know you read ;) It comes down to this, do you to be in work or not?

    I am very much what you call a 'dial a style' artist. Many things, mediums, subjects and genres interest me, and that is reflected in my work. After 29 years of being a 'working artist' (and I use those words losely), I still have no truly definable style, and as a result, am still poor! What more can I say? Do what you do Johanna. It's what you like and it pays your bills, what more can you ask for. You are still young and you can worry about these things later on down the line. xxxx
    Lorrie     28th Aug 2012
  • How many awards did you say you have won to date??
    Travellednews     23rd Aug 2012

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