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This Context Directory has been produced on a not-for-profit basis. Its intent is to provide professional context to tutors and
students working with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop within the arts.
This document is published under a Creative Commons License with Attribution, Non-Commercial and Share-Alike clauses.
Any party who wish to use, reconfigure or redistribute this document, must uphold the attributions to the artists and
individuals identified in this document. They must also respect the copyright of the works contained within and cannot use
the works for commercial gain. For the full terms of this license please visit:
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So you’re an artist - How do Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator fit into your creative profile?
Use this CONTEXT DIRECTORY to help you to figure out how this software
can inform your chosen profession, creative discipline and workflow.
Search by
Creative Profession
Graphic Designers
and Typographers
Photo Retouchers
Photo Montage
Artists
Illustrators and
Designers
Concept Artists
Designing for Making
- Collaborative
Project Artists
Creative Process
Laser Cutting
Laser Embroidery
3D Printing
Blog
Illustrator/Photoshop
Artists’ Case Studies
Artist Podcast
Creative Profession Case Studies
This section of the Creative Directory portrays a cross section of creative professionals who use
Adobe Photoshop and / or Adobe Illustrator in their work and for their portfolios.
The case studies contained demonstrate how artists combine software and digital workflows with
traditional skills in the context of creative industry.
This directory is far from exhaustive, but covers many aspects of creative application including
design, illustration, 3D craft, photography and conceptual art.
Graphic Designers and Typographers
Logo and packaging designer Ellie Phillips uses AI, PS and ID (or combinations thereof) to produce
excellent graphics and designs. See her portfolio on the link below:
http://www.ellephillips.com/design-portfolio/default.html
Click on her blog icon or the link below to find her informative posts on life as a freelance designer:
http://ellephillips.com/blog/
Various typographer-related applications for AI by webdesignerdepot.com. View pages of great, easy
to understand, technical tips from industry insiders at the link below:
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/03/40-tutorials-for-outstanding-text-effects-inillustrator/
Creative Profession Case Studies
Photo Retouchers
Classic beauty retoucher Dan Harker showcases before and after images processed through PS:
http://harkimedes.com/news/2013/3/9/skin-retouching-case-studies
High end fashion and editorial retouching by Cristian Girotto processed through PS:
http://www.cristiangirotto.com/39828/portfolio
Fashion, product and food retouching by Manpreet Ahuja processed through PS:
http://manpreetahuja.com/
Creative Profession Case Studies
Photo Montage Artists
Photo-montage artist for advertising Pawel Kozakowski talks design workflow processed through PS:
< http://abduzeedo.com/fotolia-travel-case-study>
Photo-montage and fine artist digital illustrator Wojciech Pijecki talks through taking a digital
collage through to a fine art illustration, processed through PS:
<http://abduzeedo.com/embodied-case-study-wojciech-pijecki>
Photo-montage for editorial photographer Paul Mobley and digital artist Mike Campau collaborate on
artwork for the music industry (Insane Clown Posse)using PS:
http://abduzeedo.com/insane-clown-case-study
Photo-illustration artist Fabrizio Calicchia showcases workflow from scrappy collage to polished
piece using PS:
<http://abduzeedo.com/case-study-olympic-running-photo-illustration>
Creative Profession Case Studies
Illustrators and Designers
Graphic Illustrator Cristian Eres talks through his design process from freehand sketch to finished
publication via AI and PS:
http://abduzeedo.com/surreal-2013-case-study-cristian-eres
Comic book artist Jonathan Rector demonstrates how he colours and adds effects to his artwork using PS
via a time lapse video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrg9qzatCAo
Jewellery designer Anna Vosburg showcases intricate designs made in AI:
http://www.annavosburgdesign.com/Design-Services-2.html
Footwear designer Greg Stoermer shows a time lapse deconstruction of a shoe design made in AI:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPvX3lV94ig
Technical and medical illustrator Martin Woodward showcases work made in AI and PS:
http://www.tecmedi.co.uk/Techpages/objects1.html
http://www.tecmedi.co.uk/Medpages/medical2.html
Coloured fashion designs showcased by Svetlana Makarova made in AI:
http://vector-art.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/vector-art-techniques-fashion.html
Creative Profession Case Studies
Illustrators and Designers
Laser etch fine artist Jason Thielke showcases intricate laser cut and etched artworks using AI:
http://patternbank.com/jason-thielke-laser-etched-beauty/
Fashion line drawing / pattern cutting design process demonstrated via a time lapse video by electric
fashion media, produced in AI:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx1m9YWRGhk
Concept Artists
Concept artists Craig Shoji (Thor, Men in Black 3), Warren Manser (Serenity), Dawn Brown
(Transformers), Daphne Yap (Avatar), Wayne Barlowe (Harry Potter), David Meng (District 9), Miles
Teves (Iron Man) comment on the use of PS and other software in the production of Hollywood film
industry concept design work. See the link below:
http://io9.com/5567512/tips-from-professional-artists-on-the-5-things-you-need-in-your-digitalart-toolbox
Creative Profession Case Studies
Prop Makers / Designing for Making:
Collaborative Projects and Products
Designer Michael Doret and neon sign maker Robert M. Fitch show their collaborative process using
PS and AI:
http://abduzeedo.com/case-study-vintage-neon-sign
Art director Michael Wong, prop maker (un-named), photographer Kenny Chai and retoucher Lui
DeBin discuss their collaborative process, produced in PS and AI:
http://www.bubble-value-at-risk.com/making_of_cover.html
FX artist and prop maker Volpin Props’ Harrison Krix documents his combined use of AI, PS, CAD CAM,
laser cutting and traditional making skills:
http://www.tested.com/art/makers/451576-maker-profile-catching-volpin-props-harrison-krix/c
3D modeler and designer Pawel Nolbert shows how he combines the use of traditional model-making
craft and PS:
http://abduzeedo.com/case-study-year-zero-pawel-nolbert
Creative Processes
Laser Cutting/Engraving
Laser engraving onto glass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_FmlorBGqg
Laser etching onto metal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZnZvG74tPQ
Showcase of laser cut products
http://www.cutlasercut.com/showcase
An intricate map laser cut out of walnut
This technology
uses vector-based
files to cut complex
and detailed designs out
of a variety of materials
including plastic, wood,
leather, paper, fabric
and more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=4qnTHSxixV0&NR=1
This technology
uses vector-based
files to stitch complex
and detailed designs into a
variety of materials including
silk, cotton, leather, nylon
and more. It can also be
used to add beading and
sequins.
Laser Embroidery
Large scale laser embroidery of sheet fabric
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qDteCW6zec
Laser embroidery appliqué
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOEuK5L8m50
Laser sequin embroidery
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=qxymXfAGCtw&feature=endscreen
Vector files can
be produced in
Adobe Illustrator.
The processes
identified on this
page either use AI
files, AI plug-ins or
file formats which
can be exported
from AI to perform
their functions. If
you were to learn
Adobe Illustrator
then these creative
processes would be
opened up to you.
Creative Processes
3D Printing/Rapid Prototyping
3D-printing in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_vloWVgf0o
Showcase of 3D-printed objects
http://www.3dcreationlab.co.uk/3d_printing_gallery.php
3D printing
technology can work
on vector-based files.
Though whilst vectors can be
exported from AI, they must be
processed with futher [vector]
software before they are
suitable for 3D
printing.
This
technology can
run on vector-based
files to 3D-print objects
including jewellery,
footwear, models,
prototypes and
more.
Common 3D Print Software
Rhinoceros
http://www.rhino3d.com
Blender
http://www.blender.org/
Google SketchUp
http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/product/gsu.html
Vector files can be
produced in Adobe
Illustrator. The
processes identified
on this page can run
on vector files. If
you were to learn
Adobe Illustrator
then these creative
processes would
be opened up to
you - yet you would
need to adapt your
existing AI skills to
additional software.
Blogs
http://blogs.adobe.com/photoshopdotcom/
http://blogs.adobe.com/adobeillustrator/
Adobe blogs full of AI and PS related
tips and tricks, software applications info,
and
ar ticles about digitial ar tists.
http://abduzeedo.com/
Great site showcasing artists and their
work with insider information on creative
workflows from numerous disciplines.
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/
Great site showcasing artists who work in
many different media.
These blogs provide
useful tips for the
creative application
of Adobe Illustrator
and Adobe
Photoshop and
some creative
inspiration and
examples of their
use.
Artist Podcasts
Click on a TV screen
to see a video
showing various
artists discussing
their use of Adobe
Illustrator and
Adobe Photoshop.
Artist name and discipline
Artist name and discipline
Artist name and discipline