Twitter: @DRyanR
Blog: davidryanrobinson.blogspot.com
Website: www.davidryanrobinson.com
"I am a uk based illustrator and graphic designer who has been working freelance in the UK for a couple of years. I attended the University of Salford, where I got a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Illustration and rekindled my love for chai and golden vanilla tea. I now work and live in london. I also work as a freelance designer for Cartoon Network!"
How long have you been a Freelancer for?
Not too long, I started my first big job a couple of years ago while I was still at University. Then in my third year I produced an editorial piece for The Guardian, which was my first paid job from a big client.
Describe your work in one sentence.
Line art with one or two block colours showing something strange, yet nice to look at.
What's the most important thing you've learnt in your line of work?
Enjoy it, otherwise there is no point. Just have fun with every piece of work, no matter how monotonous the job may seem.
What attracted you to your chosen field?
Probably the same thing every illustrator would tell you, it’s drawing and making stuff and getting money for it, it’s a dream job!
Tell us about your best project to date.
I’ve recently done a piece for a new online illustration print store called Evermade. Me and another illustrator, Kiley Victoria worked on an illustration where I produced one half of the piece, and she did the other. This will be sold soon at Evermade.com, and the end result can be seen on my blog.
What sets you apart from your competitors?
Determined, punctual, fast worker. Turnaround for editorial work can be pretty short; I think I’ve mastered the art of getting things done to a high quality in a short time. I’m also a pretty nice guy!
If you could work on any project for any company/organisation, what would it be and who would it be for?
If you would have asked me this a couple of months ago, I would have said the creators of Adventure Time, simply because it is the best cartoon ever. I can’t express how much I love the show. But I now work for Cartoon Network which is totally rhombus!
What frustrates you the most about your job?
Work is very inconsistent. You could be busy for months then have nothing for a while.
What pearl of wisdom can you offer to someone thinking about starting out as a freelancer?
Don’t give up. Advertise yourself loads. Use websites like The Little Chimp Society, Illustration Mundo and Creative Review to advertise your work, and do it often. Update your blog all of the time, always draw stuff, even if it’s just for yourself. When I first moved to London I drew a huge zoo on a big A0 piece of card. I then scanned it all in, added colour and got it printed. This print is now in my portfolio and anytime I meet up with a client it’s the first thing I show them as it instantly catches their attention. I have a few other things I want to draw but these days i’m pretty busy so it’s getting harder to draw things for the sake of drawing. So many different illustrators told me not to give up and keep at it, and I think it’s the best advice you can give somebody who is just starting out.
If you could have ONE super power, what would it be?
If I could teleport from one place to another instantly, that would be so handy! Although I would definitely become fat and lazy.
What's your favourite bit of kit?
Nothing ever beats the trusty UniBall Eye Micro 0..5mm ball. A nice finish, smooth, fine and almost always on 3 for 2 at Rymans!
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I’m really into the Pokemon games. Intensely. Two years ago me and my friend went to the UK Championships and my friend came within the top 10. One more win and we would have both been on our way to the world championships in Hawaii.
What's your favourite song of all time?
It changes all the time. At the moment i’m listening to Manchester Orchestra, Emmy the Great’s new album, Frightened Rabbit, Bright Eyes, etc, etc.
What is your favourite app?
Honestly, i’m not that into Apps. I have a HTC Desire HD, my girlfriend has an iPhone. They are pretty much the same thing, except the iPhone’s interface looks a bit nicer. The only Apps I really use are the TFL London Underground one and Googlemaps to help me get around.
Iphone or Blackberry?
I had a Blackberry for years. I then turned to Android and missed pressing the buttons of a Blackberry. My phone went off for repair when the charge port broke and so I went back to the Blackberry for a bit. It was horrible. To conclude this boring story, the iPhone is much better. Probably.
Too Cool for School or too School for Cool?
Too School for Cool. If I didn’t go to University then I definitely wouldn’t be prepared enough to enter the cut-throat world of freelance illustration.
Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook for personal use, Twitter for everyone else. I don’t like it when I get people adding me on Facebook because they are a fan of my work. I should create a fan page, but i’m afraid of creating one and not getting many fans haha.
Eat In or eat out?
Eat out
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