The Annual 2021 wrapped up earlier this month, featuring some of the most exciting winners in the history of the Creativepool community. Who are these talented professionals and why do they represent the best of the best in the realm of creativity?
With some masterful use of illustration in a website project, top illustrator Toby Tinsley is an excellent example of the above. His Everrati Car Configurator project largely impressed the judges this year, resulting in a Shortlisted badge in Web and a Silver in Illustration – notoriously a tough and competitive category for the Creativepool community. His unique and distinctive work displays a high level of craft, one well worth of such a high accolade in The Annual 2021.
In this Annual 2021 Spotlight, we are learning more about Toby Tinsley, one of the best illustrators and designers on Creativepool.
Tell us about your winning submissions! What do you think impressed the judges?
Doing a car configuration website is always tricky as you don’t want the cars looking rendered or photoshopped – so doing it via illustration seemed to be a good half-way house of realism and bespoke creation. I think the realism allows the cars to really shine through and make the whole experience of configuring your car an enjoyable on
What felt unique about taking part in The Annual?
It showcases a very good variety of work, and you can enter the same project into multiple categories – like my on which was both illustration and website design.
If you could name one reason that made you choose to enter this year, what would it be?
I felt this was worth of entering a competition, it’s a nice bonus to win, but the real pleasure is seeing all the hard work being appreciated.
How do you plan to display your award?
Next to the one I won last year!
Will you enter again in 2022? If so, what are your hopes?
It all depends if I am lucky enough to get a project that allows for maximum creativity. But yes, I do hope to enter in 2022.
What advice would you share with other agencies and individuals looking to grab an award?
Don’t be afraid to enter – a lot of people think that entering competitions is setting you up for failure, and it is a waste of time and money with potentially no reward. However, this award scheme is very affordable and I think that attracts more people and a wider audience. If you don’t win, it also teaches you to raise your game – this is not a bad thing either.
How does winning awards such as The Annual impact your business?
It's proof on the CV that when you say you are an award winning designer, you have the back-up to show for it. A lot of people claim to be award-winning and are not. As a freelancer it also helps to attached a higher calibre of client
This year’s winners are a testament to the power of creativity in hardship. How did Covid restrictions influence your winning projects and how did you approach these new challenges?
I think that any professional designer/artist would not allow their work to take a back seat due to unfortunate restrictions. And not just our industry either – if you look back the whole country pulled together in one way or another so in my opinion everyone who is here today should be very grateful
What are your hopes for the industry in 2022 and beyond?
Hopefully work will pick up again to how is was pre 2020, but I also think that the working environment has changed forever now. People will be working from home more and more as this seems to be the new norm. I think this could generate a more relaxed and time considered approach to working – not running around in a crazy busy agency anymore. I think the more time you have to work on something the better it can be so this new shift will give designers more time as they can choose to be more flexible in their working hours and environments.
What is your most exciting project in the next year?
Couldn’t possibly tell you – it's top secret!
Make sure to follow/connect with Toby on his Creativepool profile!
