Mobile Apps: Advice for Illustrators

The use of illustration for mobile apps is widespread. I see plenty of jobs from the Directory of Illustration for mobile apps. Some pay a whole lot of moolah!

We're hearing about mobile app jobs for just about everything and every industry. Some of these projects assigned to illustrators have amazing budgets and some are more mediocre but nevertheless the popularity of mobile applications has continued to rise, as their usage has become increasingly prevalent across mobile phone users. The illustrations used in apps are user friendly, addictive and extremely interactive.

The public demand and the availability of developer tools drove rapid expansion into a lot of categories, such as mobile games, factory automation, GPS and location-based services, banking, order-tracking, and ticket purchases,.apps for personal finance, teaching kids, dating, food guides, medical apps, apps for the gym - they have done it all.

Check out the Windows Phone for Apps & Games and EVERY visual is illustration.

Here's some advice from UX/UI Designer Ryan Whisenhunt, owner and operator of WhisenhuntDesign.com

"Look beyond the software and take a moment for the hardware, how it is used, who the demographic is, where it is used and why it is used. Create with context. In illustration it's all in the details and do not spare them. This is not your 72dpi flip phone anymore, smartphone resolution is higher than ever, the iPhone 5 for example displays at 326 dpi.

With that, so many apps rely on the vector clip art and rarely do you see anything organic and truly unique. An app designed/illustrated by an artist has it's place as long as you keep the user experience in mind because no matter how cool you make it look, if it is hard to use it will not be used.

Push your partnerships with shops by knowing product limitations. A lot of application development companies outsource the cool stuff. This is your chance to do more than artwork framed in a clean gray box. Look at apps, play with them, know that whatever you want to do can most likely be done.

Create so the application is art rather than a frame of your art and always keep the user experience in-mind.

Tip: Think about new or existing apps and rebuild them visually into an app portfolio based on your creative style. Look up some of the hot application development companies like Bottle Rocket Apps (large) or SlimPixel (small) and start sending your work. This will be a unique find for shops and you might be surprised at the response. Show them what they have not thought of and be creative. Companies are looking for unique ways to enter the flooded marketplace, be that unique answer." 

~ Ryan Whisnehunt

© Infomen / Début Art as seen on DirectoryofIllustration.com portfolio

Picasa for mobile
Image by Tom Chitty as seen on Directory of Illustration.com
Interactive in-store display illustration for Google mobile apps

Whisenhunt Design example of organic app design with function

Communication Arts Banners drive traffic to Directory of Illustration

As you may already know the Directory of Illustration consistently runs 50,000 banner ads every month on Communications Arts Magazine’s website driving creatives to DirectoryofIllustration.com. These banners are free to every illustrator on our site and will send a creative directly to your portfolio. These banners run consistently in rotation on our home page as well.

Regarding the Directory print + internet program: Overall site traffic is up 29% on top of a 19% increase the previous year. We average 20,000 visitors per month with a bump after the 18,000 books are distributed in January -- for example, we had 24,000 visitors last February and 29,000 last March. An advertiser can monitor their own stats/activity on the back end of the site as well.

Click on these and you'll see them full size:

How are you using color in your illustrations?

Colors emit emotions and catch the eye of creatives who hire illustrators. In art and design color influences, engages & drives decisions for creatives and consumers. Color can act to stir emotion, create magic and set the atmosphere of your marketing presentation. 


How are you using color in your illustrations? 

Whether you cater to the advertising, entertainment, design, fashion, toy/game, packaging, publishing or editorial markets you need to keep in mind that color sends emotional and subliminal messages to your audience. 

For example: 

~ "Color is top priority in vehicle design," Ford Senior Interior Designer Anthony Prozzi said in a recent Bloomberg radio interview. During Fashion Night in New York he also said, “Our goal is to offer a car that is drop-dead gorgeous – something our customers can justify on a rational level as well as one they can relate to on an emotional level. You expect that car to drive, but its design makes you desire it. Beauty has that effect on people.” 

Digital Progression - www.DirectoryofIllustration.com

~ Trademarks - Cadbury just won the right to stop rival chocolate makers using its signature color, Pantone 2685C purple, on their wrappers. The chocolate giant has been battling its Swiss rival Nestlé for the last four years over the use of the purple, which has appeared in Cadbury’s packaging for almost 100 years. Last December a court ruling gave Cadbury exclusive rights to the hue, despite Nestlé’s claims that a color could not be used as a trademark. Now Britain’s High Court has overturned Nestlé’s appeal, ruling that Pantone 2685C purple is “distinctive of Cadbury for milk chocolate.”

Cadbury Chocolate bar - image courtesy Trend Journal

~ Branding - A good branding example using color is Owens Corning's choice of pink to denote its brand. They incorporated the Pink Panther image in its entire strategy and its website is based on the color pink association. Using color in your brand can have long-term benefits too as the Supreme Court ruled that a particular color can serve as a defensible trademark for a product.

Trademarks: The “Owens Corning” logo, the color PINK, and other trademarks identified with a ® in these documents are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC INNOVATIONS FOR LIVING and other trademarks identified with a ™ in these documents are trademarks of Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC THE PINK PANTHER ™ & © 1964 - 2012 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All rights reserved.

~ What do the colors connote in the country of destination? Vibrant, attention-grabbing red sometimes signifies “warning” or “danger” in the U.S., but in Chinese culture, it indicates luck. A slick black package with touches of embossed gold or silver conveys elegance and sophistication in the U.S. and some newly industrialized countries, but in certain parts of Africa, for example, it suggests death! Even if your design principles have been fool proof for products to be sold in the U.S., expect to have to scrap them and start fresh when it comes to marketing products abroad. (from “How to Prepare Your Product for Import/Export” by Laurel Delaney for About.com)

 

2012 the official color is Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango.  

2011 was Honeysuckle Pantone 18-2120.   

2010 was Pantone 15-5519 Turquoise.

Pantone's Color Guide - Essential color tools can always be at your fingertips

Are your colors current and relevant to your viewers' eyes?

 

Whether discussing your latest images in your portfolio, your website design or your marketing presentation, the similarities between what art buyers and consumers want are numerous and compelling. The use of color might be one tactic to help you get work.

Mona Daly, Mendola Artists Representatives - www.DirectoryofIllustration.com

CA Magazine Illustration Annual

I love the new CA Magazine Illustration Annual with the awesome portrait cover painted by my friend Greg Manchess. The stellar panel of judges did a great job. So many of my artist clients from the Directory made it too. Congratulations to everyone!!!

Communications Arts Illustration Annual 2012 painted by Greg Manchess

Sitting at my desk with the Directory of Illustration

Art work created by Scott Burroughs - courtesy of Scott who is represented by DEBORAH WOLFE LTD/illustrationOnLine.com

Art created by Scott Burroughs represented by DEBORAH WOLFE LTD/illustrationOnLine.com

SCBWI Golden Kite Award poster by John Parra

Each year SCBWI features their Golden Kite Award winning books on a full color poster illustrated by one of their members. The 2011 Poster was illustrated by 2010 Golden Kite Picture Book Award winning illustrator John Parra.

In addition, the artwork from this limited edition poster will be recognized in the upcoming May/June 2011 Communication Arts Illustration Annual, a prestigious publication that highlights the best in illustration from the past year. 

  

John has also been seen in Directory of Illustration and as always, Directory of Illustration will be featured in the inside cover of this year's CA Illustration Annual. 

Congratulations John!!

The Golden Kite Award posters are free to public libraries and independent bookstores and cost $10 for current SCBWI members (postage included).

If anyone would like to order a poster please email SCBWI for more information.

SCBWI Golden Kite Award poster by John Parra

Rudy-Jan Faber - self taught, winning artist from the Netherlands

Rudy Faber is a self taught illustrator based in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.  He first came to my attention as 1st runner-up in the International Breakthrough contest.

Often, the real winner in any contest is the 1st runner up. Why? Because they know they have what it takes to win but fate hasn't allowed it this time. Generally they become even more determined to be successful. Someone's success isn't measured by a mere contest...it is measured throughout their lifetime. 

Rudy said, "I love illustrating pin-ups. Sometimes I choose bright and colorful themes with some urban, pop-art, lowbrow influences. Other times I enjoy painting dark, eerie and macabre themed illustrations. My main focus in my work is giving my characters lots of personality."

I love tattoos! You'll see Rudy's work in the Directory of Illustration now and in the 2013 book. 

Directory of Illustration is now being distributed - see Ken Orvidas' cover art plus inside illustrations

What a great way to start the new year – the Directory of Illustration is landing on creatives’ desks throughout January!!!! I’m posting Ken Orvidas’ cover art again along with the inside illustrations. This year’s theme is “Very, Very Visionary". Inside the book you’ll see “Eagle Eye”, “Eye of the Storm”, “Black-Eyed Susan”, Apple of My Eye” and “ButterflEyes”.

Year in and year out the book drives traffic to the site as does the monthly email blasts, the Illustration Voice e-newsletter, the 650,000 banners running on CA Magazines website, etc.

If you would like to talk about anything “illustration”…you know how to reach me. The door is always open to talk about your work.

Directory of Illustration 28. Cover ART by Ken Orvidas

I started working with Ken Orvidas over 10 years ago when I had the privilege to review his portfolio in Seattle. Ken has always been aware of positioning himself in the market to gain greater recognition. He knows the economic future will be populated by the movers and shakers who are poised for success. So in his own words..."Sometimes luck goes one’s way. So it did for me earlier this year when I was asked if I would provide a color illustration and five black and white illustrations for the new Directory of Illustration #28. I was also lucky to have worked with Dave Plunkert as the art director on this one. Dave suggested we try simple imagery versus complex and busy as we address the theme for the book, “very, very visionary”. So, the concept of “eye of the tiger”, “eagle eye”, “black-eyed susan”, “eye of the storm”, etc. was born. Since the cover image is now showing up in printed collateral as well as on the DI website I am able to publish it here. To see the black and white images you’ll have to nab your own copy of the book." Advertisers have already received their copies and reprints. Directory of Illustration 28 lands on 18,000 art buyers' desks mid-January. Read what artists and art buyers have to say about the Directory of Illustration