Lisa Hassell

Director of Inkygoodness & WE ARE GOODNESS creative agency. Lisa Hassell has over six years experience in the industry, as a freelance writer, agent/producer and lecturer.

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My Tablet and Me: Exploring the creative process

Over the last few weeks, Inkygoodness has published a series of interviews focusing on tablets as an innovative creative tool for illustrators.

The project culminated in a mini documentary, shot on location in West Sussex, Nottingham and Leeds and directed by production company Dimension 2.

Featuring the talents of illustrator Andrew Groves, graphic designer Alex Fowkes and comic artist and illustrator Kristyna Baczynski who each discuss their individual approach to image-making and how they use their tablets to enhance their work-flow, the video encapsulates the freelance lifestyle and the challenges faced by today’s creatives.

Watch our My Tablet and Me video here  »

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MacUser » Praktik: Kristyna Baczynski

"Making time to work on personal projects is so important; it’s where the wild and interesting stuff happens and is often what attracts the wild and interesting clients.

There will always be illustration that panders to current trends and ends up feeling limp and washed out, but as a creative individual, you should hold fast to your own ideas, keep your head down and forge ahead. Don’t make illustrations just to get likes – make impressive work you’re proud of."

As part of our ongoing My Tablet and Me project, I interview illustrator Kristyna Baczynski for Mac User 'Praktik: How it's done' series. We discuss her creative practice, daily routine as a freelancer and using the iPad in her work.

Click here to check out the article here  »

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Real-Life Business Lessons from The Challenger's Almanac

A side project born from passion, The Challenger’s Almanac was created with the sole aim of inspiring and guiding pioneering businesses to challenge the way things are done. 

Conceived by filmmaker Mark Anderson with his wife, graphic designer Emily Anderson, the book features a curated collection of stories by more than 20 "challengers" across the world — from self-confessed "procrastiworker" and designer Jessica Hische to Tom Kay, founder of pioneering cold-water surf company Finisterre.

Focusing on the experiences, failures, lessons learned, and ideas from some of the most innovative and groundbreaking startups around, the Almanac offers a refreshingly honest perspective on business, sharing insight into the way these individuals think and work.

In this feature commissioned by Shutterstock, I talk to Mark about the real-life experience that inspired the book, how things have changed since, and his future plans for the series.

Check out the full article on the Shutterstock blog »

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MacUser » Praktik: Paper Craft

The delicate craft of creating original, intricate artworks by folding, layering, and cutting paper has had something of a revival in recent years, with a growing number of designers and illustrators embracing paper craft.

Paper craft has quickly become a field in it’s own right, with illustrators, designers and self-made crafters working across media to present their unique spin on this growing trend. From traditional techniques like paper quilling, to contemporary 3D construction, hand crafted illustration injects personality and playful fun into illustration, ad campaigns and editorial work.

Published in Mac User, December 2014.

MacUser » Praktik: Paper Craft: Read the PDF »

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From Maker to Seller

Anyone who spends a lot of time doing creative work for clients has probably passed a wistful moment or two dreaming about making something completely their own.

Such entrepreneurial visions might have once seemed far-fetched, but now that startup costs can be crowd-sourced on Kickstarter and products can be sold anywhere in the world through online storefronts like Etsy and Apple’s App Store, bringing a product to market requires little more than an Internet connection and a good idea. So it should come as no surprise that an increasing number of creative agencies are launching independent products alongside their client services.

Published in the Business column of Communication Arts: The Advertising Annual 55, published in October 2014.

From Maker to Seller: Read the feature on Communication Arts »

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Cut and crafted: Review

In recent years there has been a shift in the world of design towards the more handmade physical form, as a growing number of designers and illustrators turn their back on digital methods to take part in a new wave of tactile image-making and design.

Paper has emerged as the most accessible material for exploration – it is affordable, light and durable. Paper Cut: An Exploration into Contemporary World of Papercraft Art and Illustration by Owen Gildersleeve (Rockport, £20, designed by Gildersleeve and Chris Clarke) explores the work of 30 paper-craft artists, across a wide range of projects and disciplines – from illustration to graphic design, fashion, performance and set design.

Read the rest of the review on the Eye blog »

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The designer's guide to giving up your day job

Odd work hours, long days, often times no real weekends - it isn't always easy to make a living doing what you love.

Faced with another long commute on a dreary Monday morning, the idea of working for yourself can take on a magical allure. Daydreaming of a life where you can set your own routine, roll out of bed and straight to your desk in minutes and finally have the freedom you've always craved – but how does the reality measure up? Is it really that easy to quit your day job and go solo?

In my latest feature for Creative Bloq I talk to established freelancers and the ones just starting out to find out how they've managed to take the leap without losing friends, losing money or losing their mind. With their advice we hope you can do the same.

Read the full feature over on CreativeBloq »

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THIS IS IT! Birmingham hosted by The Creative Society

THIS IS IT! is a series of events designed to bring young creative minds together to learn from industry professionals. Aimed at 16-24 year olds, the event aims to support ideas, talent and creativity.

Organised by The Creative Society - an arts employment charity that helps young people gain employment in the creative industries, THIS IS IT! Birmingham is a one-day event offering essential networking sessions, interactive workshops and a professional market place for young people to chat to prospective employers.

I'm participating in the afternoon panel session alongside Beano Graphic Artist and Cartoonist Hunt Emerson, Music Producer Paul Simm, actor-director Anthony Lennon and Spoken Word performer Carl Sealeaf from Creative social enterprise Beatfreeks as we talk about our varied careers so far and invite questions from the audience!

Tickets are £5 and available via eventbrite.

Further events are planned for Plymouth, London & Sheffield over the next few weeks - more details coming soon.

THIS IS IT! Birmingham takes place on Friday 12th Oct at Birmingham’s Hippodrome.

Follow @CreativeSoc #ThisIsItEvent, and visit ThisIsItNetwork.co.uk for updates and other upcoming events.

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Getting your first illustration client

Understanding the industry and the marketplace takes time, but with a little preparation you’ll get off to a great start.

For this IdeasTap feature I talk to a selection of illustrators to get their expert advice on how to win that first commission.

“Buy yourself a directory list or make your own by buying lots of magazines and compile lists of the magazines that use illustration in their publications,” says illustrator Alice Potter, who recommends signing up to Bikini Lists, an online database of creative buyers. Subscriptions to industry newsletters, printed magazines and blogs will also keep you abreast of new opportunities and initiatives that might be useful.

Check out the full feature on IdeasTap »

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In-depth collage illustration tips

21 collage tips: illustrators reveal their photomontage secrets

In my latest tips feature for Digital Arts, leading artists reveal how to create beautifully balanced and dynamically contrasting collages.

"I prefer to make works that have very strong, surreal atmosphere involving some kind of mysterious veil around its core – giving the viewer a sense of something hidden and unknown that makes them think about the image in order to discover its true meaning and message."

Valentina Brostean (Italy)

Read the feature on Digital Arts »

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Interview with James Jarvis

James Jarvis graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1995. He has since embarked on a busy career creating numerous characters and fantasy worlds for commercial advertising and magazine editorials.

Recently he has been exploring philosophy, architecture and conceptual art through an on going series of cartoon strips titled Spheric Dialogues sharing his drawings daily on Instagram and a dedicated blog. In a continuation of these themes, his Pictoplasma exhibition Classical Allusions displays a collection of drawings featuring an archetypal spherical character, referencing classical works of art.

Check out the full interview on We Heart »

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The art of botany: how to draw flowers, plants & nature better

Revealing techniques and approaches for producing beautiful, powerful drawings of the natural world, top illustrators share their advice for creating botanical illustration.

"I like to cut off plants and flowers around the edges of an illustration, so you get the feeling you’re in the middle of the scene. This adds depth, and encourages the viewer to feel more connected to the drawing." - Astrid Yskout (BE)

Get more tips on the Digital Arts blog »

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Get started with Risograph printing

Bridging the gap between a conventional photocopier and laser printer, Risograph printing, aka Riso, is a simple yet brilliant tool for anyone interested in producing high quality prints on a shoestring budget.

Check out my latest feature for CreativeBloQ: 'Get started with Risograph printing' featuring pro tips by Christopher Fairhead, Sam Peet, Tommi Musturi, Hato Press & Esther McManus of Ditto Press.

Read the full feature over on CreativeBloq »

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Interview with Chu Doma

Julian Pablo Manzelli, aka StudioCHU aka Chu Doma is an artist, designer and animation director from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

After a youth influenced by skateboarding culture, travel and biology, Manzelli graduated as graphic designer at the University of Buenos Aires, where he now teaches.

"I took two years out just working abstract, it was difficult to relearn traditional techniques and start all over again but it was important to escape the computer screen. I started to use geometry, math influences – a mix of abstract work, deconstruction of my own characters to create a new visual language" - Chu

Check out the full interview on We Heart »

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How to get an illustration agent

If you’ve done your research you’ll already know that one of the best areas of expertise an agent can offer is managing the business side of things.

Cost estimates, usage rights, drawing up contracts with clients, planning schedules and ironing out all the practical details that need to be defined before you can get down to work. Agencies also have a broader view of the market – it’s their job to know how your style could be applied to a variety of areas. Not only that but agencies can boost your exposure.

Thanks to Janine Rewell, Dan Woodger, Jordan Andrew Carter, Nicki field from Jelly London and Alice Potter for sharing their advice.

Read the full feature over on the Ideas Tap blog »

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Interview with Buff Monster

Buff Monster made a name for himself by putting up thousands of hand-silkscreened posters across Los Angeles, and other far-away places.

His work is characterised by happy characters living in brightly-colored bubbly landscapes. Along with meticulously executed paintings, he has created a wide range of merchandise ranging from prints and stickers, to vinyl toys and plush.

Check out We Heart to read the full interview »

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Interview with Bubi au Yeung

For the second in the series of six interviews for We Heart, I talk to Hong Kong illustrator and multimedia designer Bubi au Yeung.

Her first vinyl toy ‘Treeson’ was produced in 2005 and quickly become a favourite with fans across the world. Her Pictoplasma exhibition Be Nice & Simple presented a series of ink drawings, exploring harmony of form and line in simple shapes that make up the unique and whimsical world of Bubi.

"Since I was a child I haven been quite fascinated in the spiritual world as I have a vivid imagination and wonder how the nonexistent live in different dimensions. It nourishes my imagination in creating stories" - Bubi au Yeung

Click here to read this exclusive in-depth interview on We Heart »