OPPOSITE
Gail Armstrong
SOGO Anniversary
Used in part and in its
entirety throughout SOGO
in Hong Kong to celebrate
the store’s 29th anniversary.
“I fancy doing something a bit more fashion orientated” along came this job! I really
loved the final image so am looking forward to seeing the many ways they intend to
use it. They are displaying the original artwork in the store and asked me to make a film
about how I made the image so they could show it all around the store. It’s as if they let
me take over the store with my work! WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM COMMISSION?
A children’s book that then became an animation – it’s a thrill when someone takes my
paper sculptures and makes them literally come to life. WHO ARE YOUR ILLUSTRATION
HEROES? So many; I’ll say George Hardie and Bush Hollyhead. Their styles and minds
inspire me. WHO IS YOUR DESIGN HERO? I was fortunate enough to meet and have
a one month work placement as a postgrad with one of my heroes; Milton Glaser in
New York. HOW DO YOU THINK SOMEONE WHO KNOWS YOU WELL WOULD DESCRIBE
YOU? Enthusiastic. Creative. Reliable. Loyal. (I hope). DO YOU THINK ANYONE WITH
PHOTOSHOP CAN BE AN ILLUSTRATOR THESE DAYS? No – it’s just a tool, the same as paint
or a pencil. An illustrator has to be not just the master of their medium, but also master
of concept , composition and communication. DO YOU HAVE A METHOD FOR DEALING
WITH THE FEELING OF HAVING NO IDEAS? More research – both visual and factual – and
more drawing, but not forcing the ideas to come. They surface when they are ready, so
sometimes it’s best to take a break and come back later. WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING
YOU HAVE EVER DONE? I have two kids – something funny happens every day! IF YOU
COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Right now, I can’t think of anywhere
in the world I’d rather be than in London. I used to hate it, now I love