Part I
In a 6-hour workshop hosted by editorial illustrator Sunnu Rebecca Choi, we set out to make our own illustration based off of an article. Firstly, we started with a series of exercises based on idioms, the first being to create a mindmap of words and objects we associated with the text. Mine was: “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”.
We then proceeded to make small sketches around a black circular sticker, which I found to be a tough process as it was hard to work with perspective and creatively come up with ideas to revolve around a circle.
Our final task was to create a collage, which I found to be the most interesting and exciting part of the process. Having other material to work with allowed my mind to flow and come up with ideas related to the text.
Part II
In the second half of the session, Sunnu showed us her process for making real editorial illustrations and gave us each an article to base ours off of. My article was about a woman freezing her eggs who went on to explain how liberating it felt to not be pressured into when she could start a family.
I went through and highlighted key words from the text and repeated the process from the first half of the session, making a mindmap and sketches. In the end, I decided to go with my first idea and make a digital illustration using Procreate.
This workshop was incredibly insightful and opened me up to the possibilities of graphic design coinciding with other industries. It was interesting to see a working illustrator’s work and processes, as well as doing it myself. It was a lot harder than I initially thought, but very rewarding in the end.
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