I was fortunate enough to get in contact with Rod Hunt, freelance london based artist who has successfully represented the likes of BBC, Maxim, FHM, Orange and Vodafone..
As well as the cover art for widespread publication ‘change the world 9 to 5’
We have been kindly given a taste of Rod’s retro styled isometric work along with a bit of background and some great advice for up and coming artists.
Rod stresses the importance of knowing your rights as a working artist, along with the need to just get out there and show your stuff to the world.
So without further ado, the much appreciated and insightful interview with Mr Rod Hunt!
DT: Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from and where are you living now?
RH: I’m a London based Illustrator/designer who has built a reputation for retro tinged Illustrations & detailed character filled landscapes with UK & international clients in publishing, design, advertising & new media, for everything from book covers to advertising campaigns, & even the odd large scale installation too!
Some of my many clients include Barclays, BBC, Computer Arts Magazine, Dorling Kindersley, The Economist, FHM, Maxim, The Observer, Orange & Vodafone
Originally I was from rural town of Bridport, in the country of Dorset, UK. For the last 12 years I’ve lived in Greenwich, London.
I’m also currently Deputy Chairman of UK The Association of Illustrators. The AOI was established in 1973 to advance and protect illustrator’s rights and encourage professional standards
DT: When did you realise you wanted to work as an artist full time?
RH: I was always a prolific drawer as a kid, but didn’t consider art as a career until I was 17. Originally I was planning on pursuing Biochemistry & horticulture, & was studying towards that. I thought studying art was just for fun. But the realisation grew on me that I wasn’t really enjoying it [bio/horticulture] any more & as I spent all my time drawing, art college beckoned.
After a one year foundation course at Bournemouth & Poole College of Art & Design, I studied Illustration at Anglia Polytechnic University (now Anglia Ruskin University), Cambridge.
I became a full time illustrator in 1996 when I decided to move to London to be closer to potential clients. These were the days before the internet was prevalent, so the only way to show clients work was to post out sample postcards or take your
portfolio to them! Before that I spent the 2 years in Nottingham working on my portfolio & learning about the industry. My work today is very different to how it used to be then, as I used to paint my work in acrylics.
DT: What people places or things inspire you?
RH:I draw much of my inspiration from humour, retro graphics & contemporary culture. Comics were my big love as a kid, especially 2000AD/Judge Dredd, & that fired my imagination & inspired me to draw.
Things that inspire me, in no particular order:
Edward Hopper
comics
2000AD/Judge Dredd
pulp fiction covers
sci-fi
Terry Gilliam
Tim Burton
robot toys
retro 50’s/60’s/70’s advertising & graphics
architecture
animation
film
Mad magazine
DT: What are your most used ‘tools of the trade’?
RH:All my work is produced digitally, but before I go near the computer I start doodling ideas and compositions in an A5 sketchbook with a pencil or biro. These are very quick and throwaway. Once I worked out the rough idea and composition & gathered any visual reference I might need, I work on a larger finished pencil drawing, which I then use as a guide for drawing the final artwork with a graphics tablet in Adobe Illustrator.
DT: What are you working on at the moment?
RH:I’m currently working on the visitors site map for one of the UK’s main theme parks, & also illustrating a whole book for a major BBC TV show.
DT: Could you explain the inspiration between ‘dreams and nightmares’?
RH:The piece Dreams & Nightmares was an illustrated Shin Tanaka paper sculpture the InkThis exhibition of the same name. I wanted to have the piece being like a mixed up dream, with threats hiding in the shadows. Like a child in their bedroom at night in the dark with only their teddy bear to protect them.
DT: What has been your favourite commission to date?
RH:My favourite commissions have been the cover for the best selling environmental book Change The World 9 to 5 by We Are What We Do & the interactive environmental display for the Lightbox Museum & Gallery in Woking, UK. The Lightbox display was particularly challenging due to it’s complexity & scale.
DT: What’s the best and worst parts of being a full time, working designer?
RH:The best parts are getting that unexpected enquiry to work on a great commission. Being freelance means that you don’t usually know what’s coming week to week, so the next project enquiry could be a big surprise! Also I like being in charge of my own destiny & career.
The worst parts are when the phone doesn’t ring for a few weeks, & also the increasing amount of unreasonable contracts & copyright grabs from some clients that I have to deal with.
DT: Any advice to up and coming artists/designers?
RH: Get out there and get your work seen by as many people as possible. You should never be afraid to show people your work. You maybe the best designer/illustrator in the world, but if no one sees your work, you won’t get commissioned
I’d recommend joining the UK Association of Illustrators (AOI). http://www.theaoi.com (or a similar organization elsewhere). They’re constantly campaigning to protect all illustrator’s rights, and if you need advice on pricing commissions, contracts, promotion, etc, it really pays to get help from the experts.
Maintain control over your Copyright in your Illustrations. There are very few occasions that clients need to own the Copyright in your work. Your body of work is your livelihood, and you should be entitled to the financial benefits of your talent and hard work.
A huge thanks to Rod for showing us some of his work and also for the words of wisdom!
Perfectly pent subject material , regards for selective information .
With havin so much content and articleswritten contentcontent do you ever run into any problemsissues of plagorism or copyright violationinfringement? My websitesiteblog has a lot of completely uniqueexclusiveunique content I’ve either authoredcreatedwritten myself or outsourced but it looks likeappearsseems a lot of it is popping it up all over the webinternet without my agreementauthorizationpermission. Do you know any solutionstechniquesmethodsways to help protect againstreducestopprevent content from being ripped offstolen? I’d certainlydefinitelygenuinelytrulyreally appreciate it.
bookmarked!!, I love your site!
My brother suggestedrecommended I would possiblymightmay like this blogwebsiteweb site. He used to bewaswas once totallyentirely right. This postsubmitpublishput up actuallytruly made my day. You cann’tcan not believeconsiderimagine justsimply how so muchmucha lot time I had spent for this informationinfo! Thank youThanks!
Greetings! Very helpfulVery useful advice within thisin this particular articlepost! It is theIt’s the little changes that makewhich will makethat producethat will make the biggestthe largestthe greatestthe most importantthe most significant changes. Thanks a lotThanksMany thanks for sharing!
It’s a shamepity you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainlywithout a doubtcertainlydefinitely donate to this superbbrilliantfantasticexcellentoutstanding blog! I supposeguess for now i’ll settle for book-markingbookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to freshbrand newnew updates and will talk aboutshare this blogsitewebsite with my Facebook group. ChatTalk soon!
Hello, you used to write excellent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
I simply could not go away your web site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the usual info a person supply to your guests? Is going to be back regularly to inspect new posts
It’s going to be endfinishending of mine day, butexcepthowever before endfinishending I am reading this greatenormousimpressivewonderfulfantastic articlepostpiece of writingparagraph to increaseimprove my experienceknowledgeknow-how.
I really enjoy looking through on this site, it has got great articles . “We find comfort among those who agree with us–growth among those who don’t.” by Frank A. Clark.
Well I truly enjoyed studying it. This subject offered by you is very effective for accurate planning.
I haven’t checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend :)
I really wanted to compose a quick note so as to appreciate you for some of the amazing secrets you are writing at this website. My particularly long internet lookup has now been recognized with useful suggestions to share with my companions. I ‘d mention that many of us site visitors are undoubtedly endowed to be in a superb website with so many marvellous individuals with useful strategies. I feel very much blessed to have encountered the web site and look forward to many more pleasurable minutes reading here. Thank you once again for a lot of things.
excellent points altogether, you just gained a new reader. What may you recommend about your put up that you simply made a few days ago? Any positive?
Thanks for any other informative web site. The place else may I am getting that type of info written in such a perfect approach? I have a project that I’m simply now running on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.
Useful info. Fortunate me I found your web site by chance, and I’m shocked why this twist of fate didn’t took place in advance! I bookmarked it.
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
There is perceptibly a lot to identify about this. I think you made some nice points in features also.
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
Oh my goodness! AmazingIncredibleAwesomeImpressive article dude! Thank youThanksMany thanksThank you so much, However I am experiencingencounteringgoing throughhaving issues withdifficulties withproblems withtroubles with your RSS. I don’t knowunderstand whythe reason why I am unable toI can’tI cannot subscribe tojoin it. Is there anyone elseanybody elseanybody gettinghaving identicalthe samesimilar RSS problemsissues? Anyone whoAnybody whoAnyone that knows the solutionthe answer will youcan you kindly respond? ThanxThanks!!
Wow, amazingwonderfulawesomeincrediblemarveloussuperbfantastic blogweblog layoutformatstructure! How longlengthy have youhave you ever been bloggingrunning a blog for? you makemade bloggingrunning a blog glancelook easy. The totalThe entireThe wholeThe fullThe overall glancelook of your siteweb sitewebsite is greatwonderfulfantasticmagnificentexcellent, let aloneas smartlywellneatly as the contentcontent material!
I’ve Googled around but no luck yet. The ones I’ve come across so far all have to do with MP3s, software and what not. If you have any in mind, please provide links to the sources. Many thanks in advance!.
Thanks , I’ve recently been searching for info about this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I have found out till now. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the source?
Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding layout.
Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is just
great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject.
Fine with your permission allow me to grab
your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep
up the enjoyable work.
ThanksAppreciationThankfulness to my father who toldinformedshared withstated to me regardingconcerningabouton the topic of this blogweblogwebpagewebsiteweb site, this blogweblogwebpagewebsiteweb site is reallyactuallyin facttrulygenuinely awesomeremarkableamazing.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
HiHello there, I foundI discovered your blogwebsiteweb sitesite by means ofviaby the use ofby way of Google at the same time aswhilsteven aswhile searching forlooking for a similarcomparablerelated topicmattersubject, your siteweb sitewebsite got herecame up, it looksappearsseemsseems to beappears to be like goodgreat. I haveI’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
GoodGreatVery good infoinformation. Lucky me I foundI discoveredI came acrossI ran acrossI recently found your websiteyour siteyour blog by accidentby chance (stumbleupon). I haveI’ve bookmarked itsaved itbook marked itbook-marked itsaved as a favorite for later!
Inspiring quest there. What occurred after? Thanks!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
GreatVery niceInformativePeculiar article, exactlyjusttotally what I neededwanted to findwas looking for.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.
AwesomeVery goodSuperbWonderfulFantasticExcellentGreat sitewebsiteblog you have here but I was curiouswanting to knowcurious aboutwondering if you knew of any user discussion forumsmessage boardscommunity forumsdiscussion boardsforums that cover the same topics talked aboutdiscussed in this articlehere? I’d really lovereally like to be a part of grouponline communitycommunity where I can get advicefeed-backresponsesopinionscommentssuggestionsfeedback from other knowledgeableexperienced individualspeople that share the same interest. If you have any recommendationssuggestions, please let me know. Bless youThanks a lotKudosCheersMany thanksThank youAppreciate itThanks!
I alwaysconstantlyevery time spent my half an hour to read this blogweblogwebpagewebsiteweb site’s articlespostsarticles or reviewscontent everydaydailyevery dayall the time along with a cupmug of coffee.
That is a very good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Short but very precise information… Thanks for
sharing this one. A must read article!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
This posttextinformationinfo is pricelessinvaluableworth everyone’s attention. WhereHowWhen can I find out more?
You can certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this information for my mission.
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such wonderful info being shared freely out there.
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re amazing! Thanks!
Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
I¡¦ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this web site. Studying this info So i am happy to show that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most indisputably will make certain to don¡¦t fail to remember this website and give it a look on a relentless basis.
I do trust all of the concepts you have presented on your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very quick for novices. May just you please prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.
I precisely had to thank you so much yet again. I do not know the things that I could possibly have carried out without the actual hints shown by you on such situation. Previously it was the fearsome problem in my position, nevertheless understanding this expert manner you resolved the issue made me to weep with contentment. I am happier for your service as well as hope you know what a powerful job you were undertaking instructing most people via a blog. I’m certain you’ve never encountered all of us.
First offFirst of all I want toI would like to say greatawesometerrificsuperbwonderfulfantasticexcellent blog! I had a quick question thatin whichwhich I’d like to ask if you don’tif you do not mind. I was curiousinterested to knowto find out how you center yourself and clear your mindyour thoughtsyour head beforeprior to writing. I haveI’ve had a hard timea tough timea difficult timetroubledifficulty clearing my mindthoughts in getting my thoughtsideas outout there. I doI truly do enjoytake pleasure in writing but ithowever it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes areare generallyare usuallytend to be wastedlost justsimply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestionsideasrecommendations or tipshints? ThanksKudosAppreciate itCheersThank youMany thanks!
HelloGreetingsHey thereHeyGood dayHowdyHi thereHello thereHi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a groupcollectionteam of volunteers and starting a new initiativeproject in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuableusefulbeneficial information to work on. You have done a marvellousoutstandingextraordinarywonderful job!
I alwaysconstantlyevery time spent my half an hour to read this blogweblogwebpagewebsiteweb site’s articlespostsarticles or reviewscontent everydaydailyevery dayall the time along with a cupmug of coffee.
Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing.
The clarity in your post is simply nice and i can think you’re an expert
on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to snatch
your feed to keep updated with impending post. Thank
you 1,000,000 and please continue the gratifying work.