Hasta La Creative!

Born and raised in Baroda, Jitendra Patel (aka Jitu) has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Currently, he works as an art director at Ogilvy and Mather, Mumbai. Besides his art, Jitu is also passionate about movies and old-time songs. He spends his leisure time sketching and lately, attempting to learn how to play the flute!

Why are you an Illustrator?
Since childhood, drawing and painting have been my first love. My notebooks were filled with drawings rather than notes. So you could say my childhood passion lead me into the world of art.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
Yes, I went to one of the best art schools in India – Faculty of Fine Arts MSU University, Baroda.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I love doing realistic illustrations. You have to really bend your back and put in those extra hours. But once you master in realistic style, you can do any style of illustration. I remember in college we would do handwork and when I became comfortable with my craft I started doing my work with digital tools.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
I was lucky to have some brilliant teachers and mentors at the university. Their work always inspired me to get better.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Illustrations?
There’s no oneperson who had been influential. With me, it has always been the phenomenal work happening around in the world that has always pushed me to improve and keep working.

Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
Touchwood! There is plenty of work. Also, with more and more illustration based print campaigns winning big time at the national and international awards, agencies are always looking for talent. I also get good amount of work from publishers.

What made you decide to become a freelance illustrator? When did you start freelancing? Do you illustrate for advertising?
In advertising you don’t always get to do illustrations. So doing freelance allows me to enjoy what I love doing the most. And whenever the opportunity presents itself in advertising, I take it up.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrations?
No. Never.

Have you considered turning your illustrations into graphic novels?
That’s a good idea!

Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire?
I admire any illustrator from whom I can learn something.

Tell us something of your personal projects.
I still keep a scrapbook and update it regularly.

What is your dream project?
I want to illustrate the Mahabharat in contemporary style.

Mac or PC?
They are just tools. I’m comfortable with both.

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
My beautiful fiancé.

What’s on your iPod?
I don’t have one.

The post Jitendra Patel : Interview with an Illustrator appeared first on desicreative.

Advertising Agency: Flowing Ink Communications Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, India.
Creative Director Copy: Murali Naga Srinivas,
Creative Director Art: Parvej Pathan, Vijay Pawar,
Art Director: Matin Shaikh, Rajendra Gavali,
Illustrator: Nihaal Mullani

Amrita Nambiar’s fascination is captured by colours and all things art and design. She’s been in the design industry for five years and about 7 months ago decided to take a sabbatical, some time off to experiment and get back to doing some work that was more personal. Living in sleepy Pondicherry at the time she found herself with plenty of time and tons of delicious paint and colours and paper in her hands, but didnt know where to begin ! She looks for an inspirational high in books, stories, music and in other peoples work and keeps a blog of her own.

She loves to travel endlessly, goes to every concert she can and fills her home with flowers.
”When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.” Amrita believes in dreams coming true.

Why are you an Illustrator?
Ive been drawing since I remember. I guess I cannot help but be an illustrator! I’ve been looking for ways to express myself and illustration comes most naturally to me. I get to speak without words (or very few) about things that are close to my heart, about the magic in the little things in the world around us through my drawings. And Im high when Im inspired, and that kind of exhilaration can be addictive

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I did go to art school in Bangalore. We didnt do too much there, but I did spend a lot of time dreaming and scribbling away in the beautiful grounds.Looking back, Im sure that helped, I did develop my skill there, But my greatest learning began when I started working part time at a design studio and learned about the world of design and illustration through the lovely people there !

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
Everyone sees the world through a different set of eyes. And I simply draw the world the way I see it.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
Though i grew up amongst some amazing people, I dont remember ever meeting anyone who did what I wanted to do until I joined art school where I met artists and designers and others with similar dreams. It was a pretty incredible feeling to work alongside so many like minded people!

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Illustrations?
I’m going to change the ”who” in this question to a ”what”. And my answer would be Pondicherry. I lived there for 2 and a half years, and it opened up a whole new world of inspiration. Everyone in Pondi and Auroville is doing something beautiful and I found myself drawing again and faced with a world of dreams and possiblities

You have worked with HiDesign. What was your job profile there?
I was the senior communication designer at Hidesign. It was a fun,challenging job and led to a lot of experiments with all kinds of materials! And it took me to Pondicherry I still consider it to be one of my best decisions yet.

What made you decide to become a freelance illustrator? When did you start freelancing?
I followed my heart. At one point I just wanted to draw and play with colours . So i quit my job about 7 months ago and took a break to experiment, and after a few months, I finally felt satisfied with what I was creating, and slowly started taking on freelance projects.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrations?
I hate being labelled. And while I was experimenting with different media and design, I was always more easily labelled as an illustrator. At the time, i vowed not to draw again! But that didnt last too long

Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
I guess they do! I work more with individuals and publishing houses – anyone with an interesting project in hand really!

Have you considered turning your illustrations into toys?
Toys not so much. Products yes! I love collaborative art and the idea of turning art into something both beautiful and functional!

Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire?
Dithi Chakrabortty does some beautiful art, I love her work. Priya Sebastian with her beautiful charcoal drawings, and Bajju Shyam who works with Tara books for his beautiful style and dreamy illustrations.

Do you have any favorite fellow illustrators or resources relating to your fields?
I have a whole bunch of inspirational sites and blogs and books that I love pouring through ! www.stylefiles.com is one of my favourite sources of interior inspiration (textures and patterns and colours) behance.net showcases a whole lot of beautiful work everyday ! graphic-exchange.com is another treasure trove of work,  and then all the blogs I love to haunt!

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?
Follow your heart, do as it says and everything else will follow. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do what I love everyday and get paid for it!

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
Stefan Sagemeister!

What’s on your iPod?
Creed, Adele, Dire Straits, Norah Jones and RHCP

Mac or PC?
Tablet PC!

ABOUT ME: Being a Indian born in England, I have two cultures to be inspired by the Indian heritage brings out vibrancy while British side of me is more considered, its definitely reflected in my work, I enjoy what I do and I work hard to create great work, I have had some great clients to work with and its always nice to build up good client artist relationships. STYLE: My illustrations are bold and strong. The pieces are carefully considered and this is evident in the composition with intricate silhouettes and designs. Colour is an prominent ingredient in my work; I choose to provoke an emotional connection with my selection of palette choice. INFLUENCES: I like to create design on a daily basis, it may be a small doodle in a sketch book, which may lead to a bigger idea and design, I feel this daily process keeps me fresh as a designer, ideas are crucial to my design process. I like to collect design which appeals to me, I never throw anything out as I believe that whatever I have will be useful in some way one day.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I enjoy working as a illustrator, I cant imagine doing anything else, its not a very traditional path for a indian to take, with most of my indian family and friends taking some sort of traditional career path as a accountant or doctor. I have always been creative from a young age and it felt natural to pursue  a creative career. I enjoy working on a creative piece which has come straight from my imagination. Its not as simple as putting a pen to paper. Its very much an equation or formula which needs answering creatively. I often spend time figuring out a design, which I most often then not enjoy doing.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I have studied design from when I was at school all the way through to University where I enrolled on to a degree in Graphic design. I enjoyed my experience at university where I learned alot from my tutors and friend. It was a great environment to experiment with design. It was great time to compete with my fellow classmates and it encouraged me to always produce work to a high standard something which I still believe in today. I always want to create a piece of work which is better then the last pice of work I have created. Its what keeps me fresh as a designer

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
My creations are a blend of delicate, intricate forms, and a good use of colour,  composed together in a harmonizing way. It’s a matter of how I feel about the work I’m working on. If it feels right and im excited by it, I know I will be satisfied with the final piece.

I have developed a style over the years, which is constantly developing. Its clean and simple in its form. I like to create intricate, delicate work, which is essential to create a feminine touch to my illustrations. I trust in the composition and weight of my work. It’s a very thought through process and everything is placed coherently.

The lines are swooping and weaving through the design, which provide a sense of movement. These forms interact with elements in my illustration, which is very characteristic of my work.

I introduce and work with floral designs and nature, it’s a feature to my illustrations, depending on the brief. I like to overlay my work and have different layers come through which adds a fresh dimension.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
I was influenced by designers such as Neville Brody, David Carson, Vaughan Oliver, Peter Saville, Tomato, Designers Republic, They were the designers of the time while I was studying and I very much looked up to them. Although my work bears no resemblance to their style now. At they time they were of much importance to me when I was interested in graphic design. Although I am more of an illustrator I still reference their work, when I am working on something which is of a more graphical nature.

When did you start freelancing?
I started freelancing after I left working for a fashion brand which was my very first job back in 2000. It was a great launch pad for my career as it was a very well know brand. I was finding my feet at the time, and i very much jumped in at the deep end learned to swim on the job. I has been very much a steep learning curve, I have learned from my mistakes and has been a great learning experience.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrations?
There have been time when I have been strapped for cash, and thought about seeking something more secure. Its a tough industry with alot of competition and you have to always be at the top of your game, you have to love what you do while having a head fro business which is something I have now created.

Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
There are many advertising agencies using illustrations. It all depends what  is in style at the time. Your style of work can be in style and then out the next. its a vicious circle which you have to get use to. I have learned to adapt my style and try new things to always be in work. you have to be adaptable and be jack of all trades to survive, Advertising is obviously more attractive as it is the industry that pays most well.

I have been lucky to have had equally amounts of work from both advertising and publishing, obviously I would prefer more adverting, because of the exposure and pay. Experience counts in the design industry A client likes to know you are professional and can deliver a quality project on time. I learned if you have a personable and approachable attitude towards your clients you more often then not receive repeat business or are revered on a recommendation bases to someone they know.

Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire?
Nishant Choksi who I share the same illustration agency i always liked his style and work.

Do you have any favorite fellow illustrators or resources relating to your fields?
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?
I have to admit it is a very tough industry its a craft which you have to be good at like any career, its helps to be creative and passionate. In the beginning it can be tough to start your career, you have to preserver and not give up. you sometimes will be rejected but it only makes you stronger and encourages you to work hard. I am always working and designing, I spend time working on my ideas and my sketch books, its something which I enjoy doing and I dont see it as a job personally.

Mac or PC?
I have always been a mac person, and im not very PC literate to my frustration.

What’s on your iPod?
Presently i listen to a lot of the Beastie Boy tracks, I love the Blackeyed Peas. I listen to some bollywood tracks also.

Jitesh Patel can be contacted via his website here