Jonathan Chadwick

 

Q What do you do?

“I’m a highly experienced independent graphic designer, creative art worker and illustrator with a naughty sense of humour.”

Artistic Type represents something of a manifesto; a mission statement. It’s about contemporary graphic design inspired and crafted by traditional values and methods. Under this banner I offer a wide range of creative services, project managing from conception to completion or operating collaboratively; delivering:
· Award Winning Menus & Drinks Lists
· Branding Presentations & Guidelines
· Boutique Packaging Design
· Digital Retouching & Image Restoration
· Logo Reproduction as Outline Graphics
· Period Style Artwork for Museums & Exhibitions
· Printed & Digital Books
· Signage & Livery Solutions
· Surface Patterns for Wallpapers & Retail Products
· Typesetting & Typography
As Mr.Chadwick, I produce signature hand drawn illustrations based on traditional black and white engraving styles. Leading a far more glamorous lifestyle than myself, this work has featured at London Fashion Week, on television, book jackets, packaging and in many high profile venues around the world.
Drawing on my experiences I’ve written and delivered a 13 week Illustration module at Leeds University and lectured at other institutions.

Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?

After graduating with a degree in 3D Packaging Design I co-founded a Creative Studio, self teaching ourselves the Adobe Software suite and pre-press formatting.

Fifteen years later I went solo, rejoining University to study for an MA in Design & Art Direction and pursuing a career as an illustrator.

My career now spans over 25 years and yet I’ve never had a boss or an agent. In many ways I don’t feel like I’ve ever had a proper job and I’m still not sure what I’d like to do when I grow up.

Q How do you stand out in your field?

I’m not really one for blowing my own trumpet and flag waving, preferring to let the quality of my work speak for itself. With that and a no nonsense, can do attitude, I’ve found that work generally generates work.

More importantly perhaps professional relationships built on mutual respect are critical for longevity. Demanding clients who push you just hard enough to get the best out of you without pissing you off cannot be underestimated. I’m self employed but when immersed in a project, in many ways I become a member of their team. This has seen me proactively thinking beyond the brief with more of a long term strategic view; expanding the scope of work for myself and adding value for the client.

Winning the occasional award or competition helps raise your profile too.

Q What are you working on right now?

I’m working on myself. The economic climate in the UK has made this one of the toughest years of my career. Right now I’m proactively developing my skill set and promoting myself more widely.

I have a side project I’m working on through which I’m learning the basics of animation - bringing my two dimensional drawings to life. You’re never too old to learn and who knows, maybe one day I’ll even get my drawings trending on Tik Tok?

Q What’s your style?

I have a personal project that’s indicative of how I see myself developing as an artist; pushing the boundaries of traditional illustration into sound and vision based contemporary multimedia.

Juvenile Drama centers around a three dimensional model Victorian style toy theatre that I’m in the process of creating scenes and characters for. I have reams of plot lines and stories to tell, mostly reflecting my views on the absurdities of modern life.

I draw a lot of inspiration from the C18 satirical political cartoons of William Hogarth and James Gillray, ultimately aspiring to be something of a modern equivalent. Just like real life (or at least that which we get to see on screen) JD might be beautifully crafted on the surface but underneath it’s all really rather cynical and silly.

Whilst this project too is rooted in the traditional values of art and craft, my professional output tends to be a bit more respectful.

Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?

I’ll always advocate that creatives should be inspired by and drawn to projects around subjects that they’re passionate about. I’ve been lucky in that regard to work with many food and drink companies, venues and operators. I’d like to expand upon my existing repertoire, perhaps shifting slightly from a premium spirits client base to more artisan wine, beer and produce branding and packaging projects. This could potentially allow for more scope to introduce my tongue in cheek sense of humour.

Q What is frustrating you right now?

Apart from the fallout from the pandemic? Politics? Putin?

Social media has become a necessary evil. It’s a fantastic tool for getting your work seen by potential clients, but with the range of platforms ever expanding, increasingly populated by spambots and constantly changing algorithms, how do you know where best to ‘channel’ your efforts effectively? You could spend all day everyday working on your online presence and never actually get any real work done.

In my experience, keeping your presence up to date with the latest platforms whilst generating and maintaining a steady and secure flow of business is a strategic minefield for the self employed.

Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?

I’d have them court my ideal clients and bring in lovely projects for me to work on. My strengths are in drawing and creating beautiful things, not generating new business leads.

Maybe I do need an agent after all?

Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?

** Spoiler Alert **

Nothing. Life is a series of leaps of faith. Don’t spoil the surprise.

 

Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?

I’d like to learn how to manage my social media and online networking accounts more effectively to strategically generate genuine interest and future business leads. During busy periods particularly I see them as a bit of a distraction. I know I shouldn’t, but I tend to step away to focus on the job at hand.

Also… I get lonely! What strategies do other independent creatives use to stop feeling isolated and maintain a positive frame of mind?

Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?

I’m looking for client commissions, collaborations with creatives who have complementary skill sets and freelance opportunities within agencies.

I’ve always enjoyed working on cocktail menus and recipe book projects - often reproducing drinks and dishes myself either out of curiosity or as reference for drawing. I’d particularly like to work on more wine, beer and food packaging projects. To be honest though I’m always grateful and ready for anything that suits my natural style.
Whilst I often operate as a lone wolf I’m actually quite sociable. I’m always happy to help and advise other creatives, particularly around their personal projects.

Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.

I collaborated with Anya Hindmarch (clang) on an illustrated set design for her London Fashion Week Show. She needed an artist to emulate the drawing styles of Hogarth and Gillray. I ended up producing over 400 drawings during the most intense three weeks of my career. Seeing those drawings being brought to life in three dimensions, with added lighting and sound effects expanded for me the possibilities of what illustration can achieve (albeit with the benefit of a fucking huge budget).

Whilst this type of project may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, I’m most comfortable working on spot illustrations, packaging and product design and publishing projects. Creating surface pattern designs whilst working holistically across the range of barware and packaging for the Absolut Elyx Boutique represents another career highlight.

I enjoy collaborating with clients, other creatives, packaging technicians, film makers and animators who elevate what I do to another level.

Q What is your rate?

My hourly rate working directly for a worldwide brand is £100 whilst my agency freelance day rate is £300.

For an independent or start up it depends on what the budget is. Here I think it’s preferable to give a fixed quote for a project than an hourly rate and that can depend on so many factors.

Q How should someone approach you about working together?

Email me directly to my catch all address artistictype@icloud.com or through any of my websites. I‘ve been known to not to pick up calls from unknown numbers and miss social media DM’s so please play it safe.

 
 

Q Who is a creative you admire?

What do you need? I have a contact list full of people who I trust and can recommend for different projects / requirements.

In terms of creatives whose work I consider aspirational I’ve always been drawn to Stranger & Stranger. Their portfolio is a dream… www.strangerandstranger.com

For inspiration, The Etherington Brothers books are never more than an arm’s length from my drawing board… www.theetheringtonbrothers.blogspot.com

Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?

Be open to learning, inspired by your passions and don’t get too precious. Oh and learn when to say ‘no’. We all have to draw the line somewhere…

This member profile was originally published in December 2022.

United KingdomGina CovarrubiasArt / Creative Director, Graphic Designer, Illustrator