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Featured Artist Interview - Rod Hunt
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Rod Hunt
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Rod Hunt is a London based Illustrator who has built a reputation for retro tinged Illustrations & detailed character filled landscapes with UK & international clients in publishing, design, advertising & new media, for everything from book covers to advertising campaigns, & even the odd large scale installation too! Notably Rod illustrated the cover of Change The World 9 To 5, the best selling environmental book by We Are What We Do.
Rod Hunt’s clients include; Barclays, BBC, Computer Arts Magazine, Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, Financial Times, The Economist, FHM, Maxim, The Observer, Orange, Sunday Times, Tescos, Time Inc, Top Gear, Vodafone, We Are What We Do
He’s currently also Deputy Chairman of UK The Association of Illustrators. The AOI was established in 1973 to advance and protect illustrator’s rights and encourage professional standards.
TAXI>>Hi Rod, we're honoured to have you on board TAXI's Front Seat. With five words, how would you describe your way of illustrating?
Rod>>Retro, colorful, humorous, detailed, drawing.
TAXI>>What is the story and inspiration behind your work titled “Monkey Rock!”?
Rod>>I was looking to create a music piece, but couldn’t find a satisfying angle.
Monkey Rock was one of those silly ideas that just popped into my mind & made me laugh, so I had to draw it. I’m a great believer in juxtaposing unrelated things & taking them out of context to create something new, witty & unexpected.
And apes are cool of course.
TAXI>>As the Deputy Chairman of the Association of Illustrators (AOI), what would you say to inspire illustrators suffering from a creative block at this moment?
Rod>>You get those times when inspiration deserts you, whether that's a difficult brief or just feeling uncreative that day. If it's a feeling-uncreative day, I'll try to work on another project that's already further developed, or do some marketing and researching potential clients, or heaven forbid, some paperwork!
You can’t force ideas to happen if they’re not forthcoming, so it’s also good to take a break & do something different to clear my mind. Go for a walk, get a coffee, explore other illustrators & designers work. Giving yourself a change of scene for an hour can work wonders.
If I’m lacking inspiration on a commercial project, time permitting I try to work on self initiated & collaborative projects. Working on other projects outside of commissions keeps me fresh, whether that’s self initiated projects, exhibitions, or just for fun. I also think it’s important to indulge your personal interests in your work & create your own unique voice, as that is what will set you apart from everyone else.
TAXI>>It is said that creative individuals are mostly nocturnal creatures. How would you describe yourself
Rod>>Once I would have found myself working into the night. After I took on a studio rather than working at home I got out of that habit & I work roughly to office hours 10am - 8pm most days. I think keeping to a disciplined working day makes me more productive & it’s important to maintain a work/life balance to avoid burnout. Being able to shut the door, go home & relax from work at the end of the day ensures that separation.
TAXI>>What is your philosophy of life you abide by, despite rain or shine?
Rod>>Stay positive, keep evolving & think big because most others think small. Above all, enjoy what you do.
TAXI>>As an illustrator, what fascinates you about the illustration industry in London?
Rod>>London is still an important focus for the UK illustration industry, despite the internet making it less important to actually live here for access to clients these days. There’s a great vibrancy to the creative arts in London, & always a new show or event to go to.
There’s a lot of competition in London illustration but also a lot of opportunities. With such a concentration of creative people in one place, it's a good place to be to network & meet new people for creative collaborations.
For instance, the exhibition Hot Rods & Hairy Beasts I took part with last year with Nishant Choksi, Allan Sanders & Linzie Hunter was born out of our connection with the London illustration industry & knowing each other via being members of the Association of Illustrators. I don't think the show would have been such a huge success if it had been located any else. Being in London gave the ability to invite leading clients from London creative businesses, as well as make a big splash with the national & international press.
TAXI>>How and what do you derive job satisfaction from?
Rod>>I get the greatest satisfaction by doing a great job, stretching myself creatively & having the opportunity for my work to be seen in different contexts & new mediums.
There’s nothing like seeing a big project come to fruition & being able to look at it and say “Wow! I did that!”. For instance when I worked on a huge 2m x 5m interactive installation for the Lightbox museum & gallery in Woking UK, it was quite a buzz seeing the completed installation for the first time the at the opening night reception of the Lightbox.
Being creative for a living is the best job in the world, & I don’t take for granted the fortunate position I’ve worked to be in today.
TAXI>>What would you be tomorrow if you were not what you were today?
Rod>>I’ve been involved quite heavily in the music industry with up & coming bands over the years on the design, promotion, events & management side. If I wasn’t an illustrator tomorrow, I’d probably go back to perusing that again.
TAXI>>Show us what your workspace looks like?
Rod>>
TAXI>>Before we end, tell us where do you want a TAXI to bring you to right now?
Rod>>Due to a huge six month long project for the BBC that I've been working on all year, I've had to postpone my annual spring trip to Morocco, so that's where I'd like to be right now.
More of Rod Hunt's illustration works can be viewed here.
© 2003 - 2009 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved
Rod Hunt’s clients include; Barclays, BBC, Computer Arts Magazine, Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, Financial Times, The Economist, FHM, Maxim, The Observer, Orange, Sunday Times, Tescos, Time Inc, Top Gear, Vodafone, We Are What We Do
He’s currently also Deputy Chairman of UK The Association of Illustrators. The AOI was established in 1973 to advance and protect illustrator’s rights and encourage professional standards.
TAXI>>Hi Rod, we're honoured to have you on board TAXI's Front Seat. With five words, how would you describe your way of illustrating?
Rod>>Retro, colorful, humorous, detailed, drawing.
TAXI>>What is the story and inspiration behind your work titled “Monkey Rock!”?
Rod>>I was looking to create a music piece, but couldn’t find a satisfying angle.
Monkey Rock was one of those silly ideas that just popped into my mind & made me laugh, so I had to draw it. I’m a great believer in juxtaposing unrelated things & taking them out of context to create something new, witty & unexpected.
And apes are cool of course.
TAXI>>As the Deputy Chairman of the Association of Illustrators (AOI), what would you say to inspire illustrators suffering from a creative block at this moment?
Rod>>You get those times when inspiration deserts you, whether that's a difficult brief or just feeling uncreative that day. If it's a feeling-uncreative day, I'll try to work on another project that's already further developed, or do some marketing and researching potential clients, or heaven forbid, some paperwork!
You can’t force ideas to happen if they’re not forthcoming, so it’s also good to take a break & do something different to clear my mind. Go for a walk, get a coffee, explore other illustrators & designers work. Giving yourself a change of scene for an hour can work wonders.
If I’m lacking inspiration on a commercial project, time permitting I try to work on self initiated & collaborative projects. Working on other projects outside of commissions keeps me fresh, whether that’s self initiated projects, exhibitions, or just for fun. I also think it’s important to indulge your personal interests in your work & create your own unique voice, as that is what will set you apart from everyone else.
TAXI>>It is said that creative individuals are mostly nocturnal creatures. How would you describe yourself
Rod>>Once I would have found myself working into the night. After I took on a studio rather than working at home I got out of that habit & I work roughly to office hours 10am - 8pm most days. I think keeping to a disciplined working day makes me more productive & it’s important to maintain a work/life balance to avoid burnout. Being able to shut the door, go home & relax from work at the end of the day ensures that separation.
TAXI>>What is your philosophy of life you abide by, despite rain or shine?
Rod>>Stay positive, keep evolving & think big because most others think small. Above all, enjoy what you do.
TAXI>>As an illustrator, what fascinates you about the illustration industry in London?
Rod>>London is still an important focus for the UK illustration industry, despite the internet making it less important to actually live here for access to clients these days. There’s a great vibrancy to the creative arts in London, & always a new show or event to go to.
There’s a lot of competition in London illustration but also a lot of opportunities. With such a concentration of creative people in one place, it's a good place to be to network & meet new people for creative collaborations.
For instance, the exhibition Hot Rods & Hairy Beasts I took part with last year with Nishant Choksi, Allan Sanders & Linzie Hunter was born out of our connection with the London illustration industry & knowing each other via being members of the Association of Illustrators. I don't think the show would have been such a huge success if it had been located any else. Being in London gave the ability to invite leading clients from London creative businesses, as well as make a big splash with the national & international press.
TAXI>>How and what do you derive job satisfaction from?
Rod>>I get the greatest satisfaction by doing a great job, stretching myself creatively & having the opportunity for my work to be seen in different contexts & new mediums.
There’s nothing like seeing a big project come to fruition & being able to look at it and say “Wow! I did that!”. For instance when I worked on a huge 2m x 5m interactive installation for the Lightbox museum & gallery in Woking UK, it was quite a buzz seeing the completed installation for the first time the at the opening night reception of the Lightbox.
Being creative for a living is the best job in the world, & I don’t take for granted the fortunate position I’ve worked to be in today.
TAXI>>What would you be tomorrow if you were not what you were today?
Rod>>I’ve been involved quite heavily in the music industry with up & coming bands over the years on the design, promotion, events & management side. If I wasn’t an illustrator tomorrow, I’d probably go back to perusing that again.
TAXI>>Show us what your workspace looks like?
Rod>>
TAXI>>Before we end, tell us where do you want a TAXI to bring you to right now?
Rod>>Due to a huge six month long project for the BBC that I've been working on all year, I've had to postpone my annual spring trip to Morocco, so that's where I'd like to be right now.
More of Rod Hunt's illustration works can be viewed here.
© 2003 - 2009 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved