interview

Anoop Bhat : Illustrations

Anoop Bhat is an architect and a freelance illustrator currently based in Bangalore, India. Born in Mangalore, he studied at Sir J. J. College of Architecture, Bombay. He works primarily in pen and ink and creates illustrations for gig posters, album covers and t-shirts for bands. 

He is currently exhibiting some of his work across venues in the UK as a part of the ‘Self Help’ art tour, a traveling exhibition put on by Cats and Bats – an art collective from Hereford, UK.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I have been drawing since a very young age, so that’s been there. I was decent at it and I didn’t have plans as such to make anything out of it. It did get me interested in design, so I chose architecture. I thought architecture was all-inclusive in a very mother-of-all-arts sort of a way – meaning, I knew I wanted to get into design but I didn’t want to restrict myself to say, graphic design or product design. Architecture allowed me to dabble in a bit of everything, including illustration.

If I had to pin-point a particular instance, it would be when I started listening to the kind of music that I listen to – heavily distorted, guitar-based music. It introduced me to a whole bunch of stuff – art, literature, history and of course, more experimental music. That’s what set off my interest in the relationship between art and music, their inter-dependence and the sub-cultures they’ve spawned together. I just wanted to be a part of it somehow and contribute to it in whatever little way that I could. I was pretty terrible with playing any instrument (still am) but I was decent at drawing things – so I said that’s it. That’s how it began really and it is why I’m still at it – to actively contribute to this sub-culture that I identify with.
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Abhishek Chaswal : Interview With A Senior Advertising Creative

Self-proclaimed Led Zeppelin groupie in past life. Dhakkan of IITJEE 1994. Faizabad returned. Anti-depressant salesman. Occasional poet and balcony singer.  Pharmacist by education. Copywriter by profession. Time-killer by choice.

Why are you into Advertising?
Because it keeps my best instincts blissfully stimulated. Also, it’s probably the only profession in the world where everyone (sometimes, even the client) wants to do your job. Copywriting saved me from doing MBA.

Did you attend school for fine art or design or Communications?
Yes.
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Vrushali Somavanshi : Interview With A Graphic Designer

Vrushali Somavanshi (Artopus) is a graphic designer, an Engineer and a pattern lover. She is also an occasional poet and loves watching films. Often looking for inspiration in the nitty gritty of things, and finding ways to communicate the commonplace observations visually through her idiosyncratic art her work ranges from colourful flat illustrations to intricately detailed pattern art. She currently is freelancing and also sells her artwork online on different types of merchandise. She has never attended a design school and is planning to pursue a Post graduation degree in Visual communication

Why are you a Graphic Designer?
A quote I read sometime back by Ira Glass kind of resonated with me, she talked about how in the beginning all of us who do creative work get into it because we have good taste and it is because of that good taste that our work keeps disappointing us, so only after time and lots of practice one day our work will be as good as our ambitions.

I think it’s the joy of being able to see my ideas come alive on paper that got me started. It’s because of the funny feeling of weird satisfaction I get when I see good typography and clean design.
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Charbak Dipta : Illustrations

Charbak Dipta is a Commercial Illustrator,cartoonist and graphic storyteller. An M.A. In Philosophy from Jadavpur University,Kolkata, he started his career as an illustrator in the Times of India.He worked for various tabloids, magazines in between as a cartoonist and illustrator. Currently he is working as a freelance illustrations and writing comic books all over the world. Charbak Dipta is also a trained singer/musician from ITC SRA, Kolkata and Calcutta School of Music.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I primarily consider myself a story teller.  The best way to tell stories is the audio-visual medium but since its a very costly and one of the most toilsome job,  I prefer illustrating my ideas.  Here I am an one man team with control in everything from lighting to body language and that is without any barrier.  Thus, I illustrate.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Never. I am a self taught artist. I think art cannot be taught just like the 1st ever painters i. e.  the cavemen.  They did not learnt painting from anyone.
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Yamini PM : Illustrations

Yamini is a Dubai based Freelance Illustrator/Artist.. The artist was born in Kannur, Kerala. She spent her childhood and academic years in the beautiful Indian state, later graduating from the College of Fine Arts, Trivandrum, Kerala, in 2008. She currently lives in Dubai with her husband and daughter. From creative illustrations for corporate clients such as IBM, Titan, Deepam and others, to T-shirts designs, to portraits in charcoal of her favourite footballers, to murals, to graffiti, Yamini’s creative range is truly diverse. “Originality and fluidity seem the best words to describe the work of Yamini .

Why are you an Illustrator?
I love Art and love to express everything through art. While doing illustrations I can depict more surreal, imaginary and creative visuals. I love to do free, bold and power full lines and strokes. Which is easy to express feelings… easy to tell a story… etc.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes, I did my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from College of Fine Arts, Trivandrum, Kerala.
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Manoj Jacob: Interview with an Advertising Creative

 

Singer, songwriter, copywriter, creative director. Loves playing sport, reading and listening to music. A sucker for biriyani and the odd chilled beer.

Listen/download his music here.

Why are you into Advertising?
I got started in advertising because I loved writing clever stuff. Today, the satisfaction comes from creating communication solutions for business problems.

Did you attend school for fine art or design or Communications?   
No. I studied electronics in college.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
Ravi Eshwar. He plays with words the way Knopfler plays with notes. I had the good fortune of sitting next to him as a rookie writer, and observing his work.

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Manpreet : Photography

Based in Delhi, got into photography without any formal training,
however learnt art of capturing frames while assisting.
Follow simplistic approach & try to develop own distinct style.
Has a knack for portraits & enjoy story based projects

Why are you a photographer?
I think it completes me as a person.

Do you remember any decisive moment when you felt ‘I want to be a photographer’?
Photography started way back in childhood , when use to eagerly wait for a one more chance to get hand on Father’s camera. In college it became more than a hobby with my first SLR but decided to take it as a career only after leaving my father’s business

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Kawal Oberoi : Graphic Designer

Why are you a Graphic Designer?
Strange part is that I always wanted to be Physicist and I was pretty great at Academics especially Sciences. But at the other end, I had a strong inclination towards visual creativity. When I look back, I feel that I was made for the profession I am in currently. I always loved colors, shapes, visuals and the fact that what I saw made me feel particular feelings and how we can control what to make others feel through Graphic Design.

Recently, when I went back home my parents showed me preserved small publications that I used to make by hand. And among those were comics that I used to make. I also used to make small animated clips using stop-motion technique. Even though all of those looked naive, still I could see that I had a sense of Graphic Design and a passion for creating since early childhood and seems like I am following the same now!

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I come from a school of design. I am trained as a Graphic Designer.

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Kiran Kumar C K : Concept Artist, Illustrator, Matt Painter

Kiran Kumar C K is a self motivated Concept artist, illustrator, matt painter and visual designer who from India,kerala. Currently he is working in different kind of Hollywood films. He starts to draw from very young age. He has a bundle of talents and skills both Creatively and Technically. He is a self developed artist, and he has extraordinary ambition to achieve something that he loves to do. And he is so polite, humble and very social minded person too.

Why are you an Illustrator?
Thanks for giving such an interesting question and for a chance to interact trough your sites. . . !!!
I love to draw when I was very young, and my drawings was very quick. I never like to do tiny tiny details in my works,i wanted those all feelings in a single stroke if I can.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes, I finished diploma in fine arts from KGCE Kannur, Kerala. And I Believe an art school never make an artist. The Passion,dedication, Approach and hardwoks make an artist.

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Archana Sreenivasan : Illustrator

Archana Sreenivasan illustrates for magazines, picture books, comics and lifestyle products. She enjoys exploring new styles and techniques, and has illustrated for Puffin, Scholastic, Red Turtle, Karadi Tales, Katha, Manta Ray Comics, Forbes Life magazine, and The Mint newspaper. She likes cats, traveling, exploring the great outdoors, bird-watching, and doodling in cafes. She lives in Bengaluru.

Her illustration blog is here. 

Why are you an Illustrator?
I love to draw. Plus, illustration is a wonderful combination of visual communication & self-expression, design & art, which is a space I enjoy working in very much.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes. I did my BFA at Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore, and did a Post Graduate Diploma in Animation at NID, Ahmedabad.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I’m not sure I have a distinct style. In fact, I enjoy trying different styles. If there is indeed a distinct style, I didn’t specifically spend time trying to develop it.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
Growing up, I always looked up to my older sister, and her friendship and unconditional support has helped me follow my heart, and do what I love to do.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Illustrations?
Perhaps it was my boss, mentor, and a dear friend, from my very first job. He taught me (and terrorized me) to pay attention to little details to commit myself fully to any job that I undertake.

What made you decide to become a freelance illustrator? When did you start freelancing? Do you illustrate for advertising?
Illustration studios or full-time positions for illustrators aren’t much of an option in India, so freelance was the alternative. I’ve been freelancing full-time from 2011. I’ve been working mostly with publishing houses so far. I haven’t done many projects with ad agencies, although I’ve been wanting to explore that.

Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
I do see illustrations being used quite widely in ads, but as I said before, I’ve been working more with publishing houses than ad agencies.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrations?
I think I will continue to draw always, because its what comes naturally, but there have been times when I’ve considered taking on/have taken on other kinds of employment, due to financial pressures.

Have you considered turning your illustrations into toys?
Not really, although I’ve worked on some projects where I had to design characters intended to be made into toys/dolls.

Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire?
Quite a few. Topping the list is Prabha Mallya. I also admire illustrations by Sameer Kulavoor, Priya Kuriyan, and Ajanta Guhathakurta.

Do you have any favorite fellow illustrators or resources relating to your fields?
The internet is my go-to place for discovering exciting illustration resources. Pia Meenakshi aka Gumani, a fellow illustrator, maintains an art material review blog called http://brokeforart.tumblr.com/ I find her blog very interesting and useful.
You have such a wide experience as a top working professional. What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on Illustration as a career option? Is it paying well enough?
A career in illustration usually isn’t a very well paying one. I suppose that’s something one has to be aware of before deciding to commit to a career in illustration. But many people do supplement their income by also doing design projects in either Graphic Design or Animation, which fetch better fees. I’d say a career in illustration is best suited to those who really love the work, because it involves being lost long hours in doing what you love, but forgoing the securities offered by a steady job is probably not a comfortable choice for everyone.

Mac or PC?
Mac.

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
If I could’ve, probably Dr. Salim Ali, or Kenneth Anderson, or Jim Corbett.

What’s on your iPod?
I don’t have one. I listen to random stuff on Grooveshark.barbet

bikernaut

Blue_Umbrella

chaisamosa_lowres

chimp

Chumbak

croc

Isantim

Orange

Scholastic

TwistInTheTale

wily_bedouin