One of my favorite parts about being an artist is getting to create personal, meaningful designs for my clients. The project I will be highlighting here is very special to me, and it was so creatively satisfying! I am excited to take you behind the scenes!
As an artist, the journey of creating a custom design for a client is both an exhilarating and personal experience. Each project begins with a conversation—an opportunity to delve into the client’s vision and inspirations. The collaboration is not just about translating ideas onto canvas; it’s about weaving together stories, emotions, and aspirations into a piece of art that resonates. I strive to create something that reflects not only the client's personal requests, but also sparks joy and connection, transforming their vision into a tangible reality.
The Beginning:
It starts with a conversation ... a text, a phone call, a social media message, or sometimes even an in-person conversation. When a client reaches out for a personal design and trusts me with their project, it is truly an amazing feeling!
During this highly personal and creative process, I aim to create an open and engaging dialogue that allows the client to express their ideas freely. I encourage them to share their vision, preferences, and any specific themes or colors they’re drawn to. This collaborative effort is crucial, as it helps me understand the overall vibe and the emotional tone they wish to convey through the artwork.
For the project I am highlighting today, I received a text message from an old friend. Her teens are both officers in the Student Government at their high school. They wanted unique and personalized images for t-shirts to sell to raise money for the school. Together, we explored different ideas, vibes and concepts, ensuring that every detail aligned with their vision. By the end of our conversation, I felt that I had a clear and shared understanding of the designs I was going to present to them, setting the stage for a piece that truly embodies their unique story and aesthetic.
Art Conception:
My next step was to sketch out a few concepts for the client to react to. From here, they will decide on a final design.
For this project, here were the requests:
1-2 custom designs
Something cool and original that would embody their generation
Include "Conchy", The Key West High School mascot
Incorporate school colors
Buzzwords: Jordans, gold chains, chill vibes, sunset, class of 2028, cool Conch man
Next, I will sketch and present the first drafts of the designs. These are very rough drafts, and they allow the client to see and react to the designs, getting inspiration and tweaking details if they'd like.
Here are the first 4 concepts I presented:
The clients took the designs back to the Student Government, and they chose 2 that they like! Now, time to get to work!
Designs are approved! Let's get started!
These were a bit time sensitive so I started right away! Plus, I was super excited to bring these visions to life! A quick trip to the art store for color matching paints, buying canvases and grabbing a few new precision brushes. Below are some progress photos from the creation stage:
FIN!
Once I am finished with the pieces (after many, many rounds of touch-ups), I upload and send the final files. Happy to report that THEY LOVED THEM! I usually do this step before sealing the piece with the clear protectant, just incase the client wants any last minute edits.
In this case, the client has a vendor that will take the high-resolution images and have them printed onto t-shirts. They also may create a few stickers with the art, as well. Now that the design is theirs, the possibilities are endless!
Once everything is approved, I will seal the pieces and get them ready for their new home. :)
The final step would be shipping to the client (or delivering to them if they are local).
Creating something personal for someone else is an incredibly fulfilling experience. The process becomes a journey of creativity and connection, as you pour your energy and intention into the process.
If you have something deeply personal that you've been wanting to transform into a tangible keepsake, let's chat!
Thanks for reading!
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