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Adam BourneProfessional Practice

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My PracticeWorking ProcessInspirationFinal Major ProjectCommissionOnlineBusiness CardsPortfolioExhibitions

Next Steps

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Contents

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My Practice

My illustrative practice stems from my experiences growing up in Birmingham. The bustling metropolis of England’s second city has offered endless intrigue for me as an image maker.

Above all else, architectural forms have become a dom-inant theme throughout my work. In equal respect, the time I have spent concsiously observing Birmingham’s city streets has led to my interest in the interaction between

city dwellers and the urban environments they frequent.It is the day to day actions of those lost in the swarm; the mundane moments of every-day life, overlooked by passers by, that inform my practice.

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Working Process

In general my working process involves the development of imagery through a number of stages. Initially visual idea generation is of primary importance. Quick and loose pencil sketches will transfer my ideas to pa-per, where various compositions will be tired and tested until I reach a comfortable con-clusion. Whilst in other instances I shall gain inspiration from my own photography. Fol-lowing this I pay particular attention to the content, shape and form of the illustration, adding definition and clarity to a pencil plan.

Following this, I find that Photoshop can of-ten be an effective tool in exploring colour in addition to editing any inaccuracies in com-position and form. Next I return to the sketch-book. Using an array of mediums, wether ink, pencil, or found imagery (when dealing with collage) I will create a bank of textures ready to be digitally applied to each composition.

By archiving such textures, photographs and found ephemera I have created an extensive catalogue of materials readily available for use. Finally I use digital editing to combine the hand rendered and digital elements. I have found that this combination of techniques and materials suits my methodic approach to im-age making though I am always wary of let-ting the digital dominate over the handmade.

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InspirationEduardo Recife

Eduardo Recife has been a notable inspiration during my time studying at AUB. Whilst critical-ly evaluating his work in an essay exploring analog versus digital illustration, I came to ap-preciate the artists method and vision. By collect-ing found imagery and visual resources Recife creates beautiful mixed media collages. Whilst I find the illustrators work visually stunning it is his working method that has had an impact on the way I approach my work. Though skilled in a range of disciplines, Eduardo’s commitment to collecting interesting visual material is at the core of his practice. In addition to this he suc-cessfully maintains the authentic nature of the hand rendered elements present in his collag-es, whilst using digital means of manipulation.

Working methods such as these have offered a refreshing approach to my practice. Many of the textures and compositions that I use in my imag-es are sourced from my own collection of photo-graphs and ephemera of the everyvtday. Whilst I always try to maintain a balanced harmony between handmade and digital processes.

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InspirationAdam Simpson

Following a lecture from Adam last year I came away with a renewed passion and excitement for illustration. Above all I was most impressed by the professional standard and success of the Illustrators work. In ptarticular his poster de-signs for the Bafta awards. Each image offered a unique observation of the films nominated. Again combining digital production methods with hand rendered textures.

Perhaps of primary importance, Adam’s lecture was effec-tive in expressing the importance of authorial work. Whilst clients and commissions will always challenge my ability to answer a creative brief it is imperative that I explore my own interests and idea’s without the boundaries and expectations of a client that can limit commissioned work.

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InspirationThe Flâneur

Psychogeography has been of key interest to my practice over the last few years. Spanning from my interest in architecture and interaction with a city, this discipline has demonstrated exciting opportunities and concepts for me and my work.

‘A composite figure - vagrant, detective, explorer, dandy and stroller - yet within these many, and often contradictory roles, his predominant characteristic is the way in which he makes the street his home…’

In many instances, I began projects by quite literally wandering around urban environments. I have felt it necessary, on a number of occasions to engage with a variety of urban spaces as to fully appreciate the diverse

nature with which we interact with our man made surround-ings. Often I will take photo-graphs, draw on site and collect materials from these excursions that will later off inspiration for my illustrations.

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Final Major Project

Initially I intended to further explore the architectural themes I had observed through my negotiated practice. Only a few weeks into the project however I was presented with the opportunity to undertake my first professional commission.

Though the opportunity to work on my first professional commission has been a great benefit to my portfolio, my initial exploration of urban en-vironments was left unresolved. In order to fully realise my creative inten-tions with this project I intend to return to this line of work at a later date.

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Commission

After responding to an email sent to the illustration department, I was put in contact with Steve Wicks, an english psychologist living and working in Sweden. Following his first book ‘The Dead Dane: Twenty tips for helping others to change their behaviour’ Steve was looking for an illus-trator to create the imagery that would feature in his next book ‘The Dead Dane in Business.’

After responding to Steve’s brief with an image tailored to his initial description I was awarded the commission and selected to create 21 illustrations for this new publica-tion. Aside from the imagery itself the whole commission process has been a valua-ble learning experience. Through regular email contact with the client, short term dead-lines and the creation of my first professional contract, this commission has been of real benefit in developing my practice as an illustrator from that of a student to a professional.

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Online

In terms of promotion and cultivating an on-line presence as a professional illustrator I have endeavoured to set up my own person-al website and various other profiles across a host of social media platforms. Whilst still basic in terms of design, my website acts as a platform for me to showcase my work online.

With respect to other social websites (such as Face-book, Twitter and LinedIn) I have set up profiles that all reflect the same branding, information and design. By maintaining a standard format across the board those viewing any of my online pages can instantly recognise it as my own, strengthen-ing the continuity as a ‘brand’ in many respects.

In addition to this I plan on creating promotion-al mailers that I can send out to clients, agen-cies, friends and family both to further promote my work and to keep in contact with clients who could potentially offer work in the future.

www.acbourne.com

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Business Cards

Business cards can act as an invaluable tool for an illustrator. Containing all the relevant contact information a client could need they are a simple but effective means of networking. Aside from the necessary con-tact information a business card can also offer a small preview of an illustrators work.

With these factors in mind I have cre-ated my own business cards that I feel sum up my practice and interests as an illustrator with simple but elegant image-ry. Again linking back to promotion and marketing, these cards encompass the ‘brand identity’ I am seeking to develop for myself as a professional image maker.

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Portfolio

At this point in time I feel my portfolio is only now begin-ning to grow as a profession-al body of work. Though each project I have completed over the last three years has ben-efitted me in ter§ms of my progression as a practicing illustrator, is only recently that I feel my work has reached a standard worthy of represent-

ing my practice. During my fi-nal major project I have spent considerable time reflecting on what specifically drives my work. Though my time at Uni-versity is now coming to an end I intend to spend the following few months further refining my portfolio and visual language.

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Exhibitions

Over my years of study at AUB I have been involved in only a few exhibitions and events. Though I feel it is a neces-sary and important to vuse events such as these to showcase work in addition to net-working and promotional opportunities, it is here that I have limited experience.

In an attempt to better my under-standing of an event such as this, my-self and a small team of my peers organised a silent auction to raise money for our final show in London.

2011 - ‘This Is An Adventure’

2012 - ‘Boscanova Exhibition’

2013 - ‘Silent Auction’

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Next StepsMy time studying Illustration at AUB has been a thoroughly enjoyable and enriching three years. My con-

fidence, in relation to my practice as an illustrator, has been rather inconsistent over this period. Now

however, at the end of my degree, I feel as though I am totally prepared to tackle the uncertain path

of a freelance illustrator. Engaging with a live brief during my final major project has provided me with a con-

fidence and understanding of the professional world of illustration and I am excited to pursue this career path.

Though it has taken a considerable amount of time I now feel as though my work is finally beginning to reach

a standard I am pleased with. My practice has been something of an exploration during my time in Bourne-

mouth and it is only now, nearing the end of this journey that I fully understand what informs and drives my practice.

My time at University is coming to an end however it is only the beginning of my path as a practicing Illustrator and it

is imperative for me to continue developing my work and promoting myself. After graduating I’m fortunate enough to

have another professional commission that is currently in development. Aside from this I intend to enter a host of vari-

ous competitions and open briefs to further my professional work whilst also exploring my own authorial illustrations.

I currently intend to live and work in Bristol with fellow practitioners pursuing careers as graphic designers. For me it is

imperative to surround myself with like-minded creatives, enabling endless opportunities for collaboration. Whilst I believe

London is the cultural hotspot of the country - and perhaps therefore the most beneficial place to live and work as an Illustra-

tor, I feel Bristol offers a variety of creative opportunities.Here I believe I can make my mark as a creative more effectively.

Aside from commissions I would like to develop my own exhibitions/events perhaps utilising a ‘pop-up gallery‘ format that

often contributes to Bristol’s cultural identity as a city. Over the next few years I would love to find myself in a studio envi-

ronment where I can focus on my illustrative ventures whilst also trying to find an agency to represent me professionally.

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