Ask a Pro
What do you think hinders creativity?
Laziness, complacency, feeling down, and not having an artistic support base.
Dean MacAdam
Illustrator
What is success to you?
Not having to go to an office and sit in traffic everyday, working in my boxer shorts, sipping a glass of wine at my desk, taking off a day or two, or three...
Dean MacAdam
Illustrator
What are the three most important qualities an illustrator must have in order to succeed?
Determination, patience and business skills.
Dean MacAdam
Illustrator
When are images better than words?
I guess when you want to get the point of your message out right away. We're a visual society, we all look at the pictures in magazines before reading the article, or is that just me?
Dean MacAdam
Illustrator
Do you have tips on developing an illustration style?
If you're a newbie, please don't directly copy other illustrator's style, no respect or satisfaction will ever come from that. Yes, be inspired by many illustrators/artists/designers, study how they've mastered the fundamentals, then ultimately develop your own style that feels natural to you.
Dean MacAdam
Illustrator
Is studying illustration in college worth the cost or do you recommend an alternative?
That's hard for me to answer because prior to going to college I had several opportunities to start my career immediately with some local agencies. But fate led me to South Florida on a scholarship to study graphic design. I think college can be a great foundation, depending on the school and instructors. Everybody needs to learn the basics but I think it's possible to also learn these basics in other ways through apprenticeship, practice, practice, practice and studying what you love. Also in 20+ years, no client has ever asked me what school I went to and what were my qualifications. The most important thing is to master your style, be reliable, keep your clients happy, keep getting more clients.
Dean MacAdam
Illustrator
What do you think hinders creativity?
Every feeling that stops you being free. Sadness and fear are two things that occasionally block me from expressing the way I want to.
Inma Lorente
What is success to you?
Success to me is receiving nice compliments about the work I do, to be told my work is inspiring ... Just the fact of knowing my work is reaching someone out there, that is being successful.
Inma Lorente
Have you ever thought about quitting illustration? Why?
I haven't thought about it because drawing is a part of my life, but I have had some existential lows about my professional future. I think its something inherent to this generation. We fund our own work, we edit our own work... All this makes you rethink your goals, decide what are you drawing for.
Inma Lorente
Do you have tips on developing an illustration style?
I reckon that the most important thing is not the style, but being able to transmit, communicate an emotion, a concept... anything. The style is only the language in which you feel comfortable working. If you free yourself and let yourself go, you will find your style pretty easily.
Inma Lorente
Is studying illustration in college worth the cost or do you recommend an alternative?
I was personally gratified by studying Illustration in Eina, my school in Barcelona. It gave me the chance to get in touch with different illustrators, and to learn from them. It was very enriching. In that period I discovered the way of working in which I feel comfortable. It was from there that I started my way into the world of Illustration.
As an alternative, everyone can learn from themselves, nourishing yourself with things that inspire you, looking at other artists' work, traveling... all these things can have the same value as an academic learning in a school. The contact with other illustrators is also very useful in order to learn, exchange knowledge, experiences...
Inma Lorente
What do you think hinders creativity?
I think the biggest inhibitor is self-doubt. The internet can be quite a distraction as well.
Lily Padula
Illustrator
What is success to you?
Being happy with the work you are making, feeling excited about the future you are building for yourself, and making enough money to live simply, but without worrying about paying your bills.
Lily Padula
Illustrator
Have you ever thought about quitting illustration? Why?
I haven't been illustrating professionally for very long, actually. Each new client is still really exciting and I still feel like I am learning a lot. I don't plan on quitting anytime soon!
Lily Padula
Illustrator