As a visual studio, we are team of designers, artists, illustrators and general art appreciators who like great work – especially our own. (#humblebrag) Sometimes, we also come across people whose work we admire as well. One of those people is artist, designer and illustrator Justin Teodoro. [...]
As a visual studio, we are team of designers, artists, illustrators and general art appreciators who like great work – especially our own. (#humblebrag) Sometimes, we also come across people whose work we admire as well. One of those people is artist, designer and illustrator Justin Teodoro.
The New-York based Canadian is widely known for his fun and playful illustrations with a fashion slant. He has collaborated with brands such as Barneys, Lancome and Martone Cycling Co. and regularly interprets moments in history or pop culture icons through his own lens.
For the relaunch of our own site, JacoberCreative.com, our founder Paul thought it would be great to have an outsider interpret our team. “I thought it would be a different way to showcase us, to have someone else’s point of view.”
So we went straight to the source and commissioned Justin for an illustration. “I admired his work from afar (#instagram) and I liked the idea of having his fun New York fashion approach capture our team. And I loved that he was doing these great illustrations for brands like Barneys and Lancome and celebrities like Penelope Cruz and Madonna.”
(Jacober Creative Insider Secret - We love Madonna. Actually, Paul loves Madonna, but the rest of us think she’s pretty great too.)
The Stats:
Name: Justin Teodoro
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Pen to Use for Illustrations: Tombow
Afternoon Snack You Like the Most: Chips
1. You got your start in the fashion industry working as a designer and now you are know as an illustrator - can you tell us about how this transition happened?
I came to NYC about 12 years ago to pursue a career in fashion. I studied at Parsons and started working right out of school. I was a womenswear designer for about 8 years. In those last few years I went through a combination of figuring out where I wanted my career to go and also just rediscovering drawing for myself again. I began to take on a few illustration specific projects with friends that I found to be more creatively fulfilling than my day job as a fashion designer. So after a year or so of just exploring this side of my work, I decided to take the plunge and commit to becoming an illustrator full time. I left my full-time job about 3 years ago and just dived right into this new role as a working artist.
2. How would you describe your illustration style?
My work has a range which I think is an asset - it allows me the versatility to work on different projects with different clients. In general, I would like to describe my illustration style as bold, colorful, and energetic, and hopefully with a unique point of view. (**We would agree!)
3. Can you tell us about your process - do you start with an image or a reference for each project or is it free-form?
It depends on what I’m working on - I usually work from some sort of reference point whether it be an image or general direction from the client. Then I just start doing a bunch of sketches from there and see what comes out on the paper. Once I feel I have something working, I pull it all together. It’s the beginning of a project - exploring the idea - that takes the time. From there, everything ideally happens pretty quickly after that.
4. Is there someone – a designer perhaps or personality – you would like to get a commission from?
Oh so many to name! One of my idols is David Hockney, so to do a sitting with him would be a dream.
5. What or who has inspired you?
I try to be inspired by everything I see each day – from art to NYC – and friends or people I see on the street.
6. You've worked with some big name brands, what are some of your favorite projects to-date?
My Holiday 2015 campaign with Barneys New York in Japan was amazing. I created the artwork for their holiday campaign which was used for all the store visuals in Tokyo. They flew me out there so I got to go to Japan which was an incredible experience.
I also did a few projects in the past year with the makeup brand Kevyn Aucoin that have been cool. I grew up idolizing Kevyn Aucoin, the makeup artist, so to work with them was pretty thrilling for me.
7. Do you have upcoming projects that you are excited to share?
A few in work that I’m excited about but I admit I’m that superstitious type to talk about projects before completion. So stay tuned!
To be like us (you know you want to) and admire Justin’s work, follow him on Instagram or view his illustrations on his website.
