interview with an illustrator
Derek Bacon
For Derek Baco n trial and
error with pen and paper,
and experimenting with
sound technology are keys
to firing his imagination
u SB What drew you to illustration? Derek: Initially an
experiment to see if it was possible to earn my living by making
pictures. u SB Do you have any formal design training? Derek:
No. Highly informal. u SB Where are you from? Derek: Heathrow.
Really. u SB Where do you live now and what drew you there?
Derek: Poole in Dorset, England. I came here so I could raise my
son in a more tolerable place than Jakarta, where I was living at
the time. u SB Describe your studio. Derek: It’s a room in my
house. It has two long worktops; computers at one end; two walls
of picture books; illegible notes-to-self blu-tacked everywhere;
me in the middle. u SB What is your biggest inspiration? Derek:
I think just feeling good is when you most feel like being creative,
and hopefully that motivation coincides with a decent idea to
work on. u SB What are your interests outside of illustration?
Derek: Diabolical but enjoyable (for me) piano playing. My
Kaossilator, and recording everyday sounds. Some of my
favourites I put at soundgrabs.com. u SB Tell us about a favourite
recent project. Derek: The Economist covers are always exciting
to do, you pretty much have to drop what you’re doing and pull
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