Working as a ‘creative’ for eight years in Australia, I can’t count the number of times I have been asked the question, “what do you actually do?”

Truthfully, the answer often stumps me. Not because I don’t have a clear understanding of what the answer is, myself, but because I do so many things that I cannot really condense it down to articulate into one single title.

Instead, I usually find myself answering something along the lines of “I’m an illustrator for a brand, but I also do design, photography, visual marketing, brand collaborations, private commissions and wedding stationary and invites”.

Is there a title for all of those hats? I’ve always thought Art Director was appropriate, but then, I am also the creator of all the art that is being directed. You see my dilemma, and so, I feel like the term ‘creative’ is just a better fit for me.

If you Google the word ‘creativity’ it is defined as:

the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness.

That sounds pretty spot on to me! With my imagination, I bring concepts and ideas to life through my illustrations, paintings, and design work.

However, this brings me to my next grey area: what is the difference between illustration, art & design, and how can they be used together to create something unique and amazing?

Yes, they are all creative practices, and yes, they are all grouped into the same industry. But, if I can try to teach my audience one thing, it is that, whilst the three practices are not individually the same, when combined, they create the ultimate trifecta for unique, creative content.

ART: If, like me, you studied art in high school, and possibly did additional theory in your tertiary studies, you’ll know that art is a form of expression, viewed typically in a visual form, such as a painting, sculpture or installation. It produces works to be appreciated primarily for its beauty, subject matter, or emotional power, and can define movements and historic times. A rich understanding of art and its history helps attribute to a better understanding of both illustration and design, and how to use them as tools when developing concepts.

There is also FINE ART, which grows from the idea of capturing more the beauty, power or impact of a subject, but with the main intention to create a piece of finished fine art, often without a deep concept or historical significance. I often get asked to create large paintings to depict the client’s subject matter of choice, simply so they have a piece of art that is aesthetically pleasing, but also unique to them.

Art, to me, is creating something with a developed, personalised skill set that reflects a unique subject matter shaped by the artist’s intentions (often then recorded in the artist’s statement). Lastly, art is not normally created for profit. It’s an idea, executed by the individual, unique to the individual.

ILLUSTRATION: This term is not as common as art, but for me, it is the most crucial. Illustration is the tool I use most commercially to bring ideas to life. A creative tool to help communicate concepts through drawing, painting, collage and animation, it depicts an idea, and can be used across a variety of industry examples, including:

Editorial Illustration: An illustrator will create a visual aid that depicts or reflects the subject matter the author writes about.

Commercial Illustration: A brand or client will approach an illustrator to draw artworks based on a brief that help sell a product such as illustrating on fabrics, creating illustrations for homewares and gifts, illustrating concepts for greeting cards and so on.

Book Illustration: Illustrators either write or work with authors and help create visual images that tell the story to the audience through pictures. These are often children’s books, graphic novels, or book jackets.

Scientific Illustration: Again, a visual aid with specialised accuracy to depict the discoveries and studies of doctors and surgeon that are published in text books and hospital/surgery records.

Botanical Illustration: A branch off from scientific illustration that botanists use to classify and showcase plant species that are published in field studies, text books and exhibitions.

Fun Fact: the above illustration examples all share one key thing in common - they are all, eventually, used to be copied and distributed to large audiences. Illustration would not exist without the invention of the printing press in 1440 by the creative inventor, Johannes Gutenberg, establishing an industry where illustration works as a form of communication.

DESIGN: The final pillar of the creative trifecta is design. It’s just as important, because, without it would be complete chaos. Design is the practice of conceiving and planning what doesn't exist. Without good design, your idea can completely flop. It aids in communicating the original creative concept or idea by taking into consideration the following factors:

Line - the use of line weight and texture

Colour - the choice and use of colour through out the artwork

Form/Size/Space - the shapes and layout of the elements within the artwork

Honing in on these points, design is important for illustration to allow for the creator to communicate their ideas and vision whilst allowing the viewer to easily digest the visual information. Carefully paying attention to the use of line, colour, form, size and space will take turn a good piece of work into an AMAZING piece of work.

IN SUMMARY: when I work with clients, or even alone, I use art, illustration and design to develop concepts into reality. Being a creative means you are a visual person and you have a skill that can help people and their businesses share their ideas or visions with the world. Whether it’s designing a homewares range, illustrating a suite of wedding invitations, or painting a large picture - art, design and illustration all come to play significant roles in creating a successful end result.