Name
Simon Wild
Creative field
Illustration
Location
Suffolk UK
Website
Describe yourself in three words…
Lives. To. Draw.
Tell us about your background…
I have had a number of jobs over the years. I have worked in broadcast & independent animation, set design for theatre and I was also a street performer, prop designer & stilt walker for a theatre company. I have always drawn in some capacity, just put it to different use over the years. I completed an MA in Children’s book Illustration in 2007 . I have always wanted to illustrate, and now I am working to fulfil that ambition.
Tell us about what you do!
I illustrate images that hint at a theme, or a story, or something I have heard, or a location in some way. I want people to enjoy my images by employing some sense of personal interpretation. I work across hand drawn, digital, screenprint and collaged images. I take every opportunity I can to retain a hand made flavour to my work. I am fascinated by design rules, and I think illustration is like a big black whole. It's taking the best elements of fashion, culture, science, politics, and current affairs, and sucking it all in, spitting it out the other side as reflective communication relevant to our time. I pay attention to core design principles in my work, for example, colour, composition, typography, layout and form, which all play their part in bringing my illustrations to life.
Who or what inspires you?
Travel and the desire to make a better more colourful world. I believe colour is powerful and that it can unite and heal. I like stories. Maurice Sendak once said 'Most illustrators are frustrated writers' I am also both frustrated and influenced by the fact that I fall into this category.
I have had a life long fascination with Iceland, and in particular it’s history, culture and geography. As recent events have reminded the world, it’s not called the land of fire and ice for nothing! I also hope to be travelling to the Norweigan islands of Svalbard next year on a work related trip. I have been to see the Northern Lights four times now, and every single time I have been disarmed by their majesty. ( sshh don’t tell anyone but I keep a picture of them in my wallet)
I am also inspired by the work of film composer John Williams, whose scores for me are the best examples of narrative music you could listen to while working. Anything that shines a mirror back at humanity I am drawn to.
What has been your proudest moment so far?
Getting paid for the very first time for an illustration. It was a wine label for an Australian design agency. I will keep the payment receipt forever. That’s the moment I use to pick myself up whenever the chips are down. The fact that somebody likes my work enough to pay for it.
And your greatest project?
My children’s book, which is something I only ever dreamed of doing not too long ago. I hope to work on many more in the future.
What do you hope to be doing in five years time?
I hope to be fully established in illustration so that I can give some of my time to help support and promote other illustrators and creative individuals. I want to continue writing and illustrating stories for children, travel more, and own a proper desk & plan chest to store my work in. I would also like to set up a team of regular illustrators to work with on bigger projects.
When you aren’t being creative, you are…?
Dreaming about keeping bees. Having conversations with inanimate objects. Getting obsessed with DR Who. Imagining what I would do with a jet pac ?. Trying to improve my tolerance to olives. Thinking about space. Reading Douglas Coupland books. Holding my elbows a lot. Drowning in tea.
Anything exciting ongoing or in the pipeline?
I have a new children’s book ‘Fantastical Flying Machines’ coming out in October. I am also putting a show together with artist Natasha Newton inspired by the Arctic circle, entitled ‘ Northern Lights’. That’s happening in Aldeburgh in August. I am also working on some audio visual work for this years Big Chill Festival. I am launching a new online shop in the not too distant future selling prints and other nice affordable things. Also working on other collaborations with other designers and illustrators of which more will be revealed soon.
Finally, any words of wisdom to other creative people?
A good sustainable career in design takes a lot longer to achieve than winning The X Factor. Never give up, and be supportive of your fellow creatives. Knowledge shared is knowledge utilized. Play nicely and do your best work. Love the earth, and don’t be too hard on yourself when work is slow. Don’t follow trends, always strive to be original. The sun won’t die for another six billion years so there’s still time. Get out there, get cracking, and drop by and say hello sometime!. I’ll put the kettle on and we can talk about bees.
