There are several ways to approach an editorial illustration. My best experiences have been from reading the article thoroughly and writing some keywords down. Then I wax poetic and try to think of the keywords as concepts, metaphors, and image comparisons. This tends to produce the best results.Â
- A development-stage concept illustration for the cover story of Intelligent Utility
In some cases, a literal approach is the best, or is requested. The attached example is of an illustration I’m working on for the cover of the new publication I am responsible for, Intelligent Utility. In discussing the concept of the premiere issue with the editor-in-chief, we decided a literal image to represent the “intelligent utility” was necessary. However, the intelligent utility is a rather ambiguous idea, and does not lend well to a single image.
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We worked together to come up with a list of keywords for the subject, and then a visual for each of the keywords.
Some of the current illustration trends lend very well to this type of interpretation. A literal illustration can be very harmoniously colored and composed, but still represent all of the necessary ideas.
I confess that I struggled with the composition quite a bit, and even procrastinated, because it required me to adapt to a new style of illustration which I had only dabbled in previously.
I am well adapted to the metaphorical style of illustration, which I believe can have a larger and more effective reception.