Tapanese

Digital illustration is big business these days. A quick look at roadside billboards, club flyers or magazine covers should be enough to convince anyone that the art of the digital designer has never been in higher demand, and its popularity just keeps on growing. But defining exactly what digital illustration is proves tricky. We all know what the words mean, yet the myriad of ways in which illustration can be applied makes it one of the most versatile of the creative arts and as such, it's pretty difficult to pin down. With a strong creative vision and the right software, concepts can be articulated in limitless ways; each style opening new doors for expression. The one crucial skill that ties it all together is the need for some innate artistic ability. You don't need to be a virtuoso with a pencil to be good at computer art, but there's no doubt that most professional illustrators are proficient with traditional art techniques. The basics of image structure are the same across mediums, after all, and with software increasingly able to mimic traditional drawing methods, the transition to digital has become almost seamless. Let's take .. more »

After receiving rave reviews for her first collection, pop singer-turned-fashion designer, Victoria Beckham, found herself being quizzed about her technical ability in fashion. "Do I draw? No," she said, "Then again, nor do lots of designers." I wouldn't say this is the fashion industry's ‘dirty little secret', but Victoria is right. Fewer top designers can either sew or draw that you might imagine. And very few are good at both but the area where all fashion designers must excel in is creativity. A lot of top designers came from other professions. Hip Hop artist Sean John Combs founded the multi-million dollar Sean John fashion label. Former model Kimora Lee is currently the CEO of Phat Fashions (and was previously the Creative Director of Baby Phat). Socialite Nicky Hilton is the founder of Chick. And actress Rachel Bilson has even designed for DKNY. Other fashion moguls that aren't experts in drawing include Mark Ecko of Marc Ecko Enterprises and Ecko Unlimited, Jay Z, Justine Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Russell Simmons, and designer for Byron Bay Swimwear, Colin Heaney. The list goes on. In fact, once a clothing label reaches a certain level of success .. more »

"I'm passionate to be a fashion designer," Roberto Cavalli once told CNN, "because fashion is part of our life… Fashion is our mind. That is the reason I love being a fashion designer because I can use it to measure your mood, your life. I love being a fashion designer." Being a fashion designer is probably one of the most diverse and exciting professions imaginable. Every day is different, and every day brings a new challenge and a new adventure. It's definitely ‘life', rather than ‘work'. What's the average week like? Well, there's never an average week in fashion, but it will probably mean everything from designing new garments to being interviewed for a magazine, and from choosing models for a catwalk show to meeting with the buyers of a department store. Designing a new collection usually occurs over time, drawing in different influences, and being broken up by other demands of the business. While fashion designers will usually spend time sketching out designs, and making notes about color and fabric, they'll also want to go shopping, to explore what's in the stores. Usually that means an opportunity for lunch with an assistant, .. more »