Illustrator Jaka Vukotič spent much of his time doing different drawings, illustrations, and cartoons, whilst growing up in a land transforming from socialist Yugoslavia to capitalist Slovenia. The radical socio-political shift from egalitarianism to consumerism has left Jaka with a belief that we no longer live culture. We consume it.
Fotolia: Can you introduce yourself, where you’re based and explain a bit your journey into how you started selling your images on Fotolia?
JV: I’m Jaka Vukotič and I'm based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. I was doing different drawings, illustrations, cartoons as long as I can remember, especially as a child and teenager. Later I focused entirely on studying and practicing architecture. That lasted for a few years. Then three years ago I decided to become professional illustrator. I was a total newcomer in this field of work, so I had to find some extra ways to earn money since I didn’t have many customers. I believe Fotolia was my second option, after I researched a little bit of microstock illustration market.
Fotolia: How would you describe your illustrative style? What has influenced and shaped it?
JV: I think my style is not especially unique. Influences can be tracked to almost everything I see, read or study. They are hard to grasp. I also like to experiment different approaches and techniques from time to time to find something new, which can be used in my further work. In short in my opinion, style is not something static. It changes as I grow, when I learn from my own mistakes and when I try to do something different/better
Fotolia: What is it about your illustrations that have made them so popular in your opinion?
JV: I didn't know they are so popular! I don't know! Maybe it’s because they are not so conventional or typical ‘stock’ images. But it is hard to talk about “popularity”, since I don't know many other stock contributors. I didn't do any research there.
Fotolia: Has your illustrative style developed since you started in the stock industry? If so, in what ways?
JV: No, I don't think the development of my style has much to do with my contributing on stock sites. But I did develop some purely technical aspects of my work because of microstock requirements.
Fotolia: Have your origins and the culture of your country influenced you in any way? If so, how?
JV: I was born in socialist Yugoslavia and experienced transformation to capitalist Slovenia when I was relatively young. This was rather radical shift from one political concept to another, a shift from egalitarian to consumerism. This means attitude towards culture changes as well. I could say we are now only consuming culture instead of living it …
Fotolia: Are they any common messages, emotions or ideas you try to convey through your images?
JV: Not intentionally. Most of my microstock work is pretty much neutral. With this in mind I think I left some space for customers, designers etc. to apply whatever meaning they want. Microstock images are usually not complete/done work of art, they are more open …
Fotolia: What, in your view, are the key ingredients to creating a fantastic illustration?
JV: First you need some passion, devotion and than a lot of practice. Sometimes something good comes out of it, sometimes it doesn't.
Fotolia: Your illustrations may not be considered typical ‘stock’ illustrations in that they portray some unique themes/characteristics and an original style. How do you come up with these and who do you think they relate to the most in terms of clients?
JV: This is hard to answer. I usually do not know what I like, but I do know what I don't. There is quite big collection of different visual games for children in my portfolio. I was drawing those games for some children magazines and then I noticed there is lack of it on microstock sites. I believe many different clients can use them to spice their publications etc.
Fotolia: Are there any illustrations in your Fotolia portfolio which surprised you because of their popularity? Or some you thought would sell better than others but didn’t?
JV: #60540447 - City seamless pattern is a doodle from larger series I did just for fun and I was surprised it sells so well. But I can imagine you can use image like this in multiple different contexts. On the other hand image #63976030 - Wood Animals tapestry, which is also only one from series, does not sell at all. If you want my opinion, the second one is better than the first one but is probably commercially less interesting. I don't know.
Fotolia: What are the global trends you are seeing in 2014 and do you think it is important to follow them in order to succeed in the stock industry?
JV: I don't follow trends, at least not intentionally. For me stock is good for experimenting with different ideas, approaches, techniques etc. All that is not possible when you are working with clients.
A big thank you to Jaka for answering our questions. For more of his work check out his Fotolia portfolio and Tumblr.
