Focused Work

I've started to record my vector illustration process recently and I've noticed something: my productivity increases when I record my illustration process.

It's amazing. It's reduced the time it takes for me to do an illustration by at least 25%. I'm not counting the time it takes for me to sketch out my character illustrations, but after researching the character which takes about an hour in total, the sketch phase usually takes 1/2 - 1 hour. Then I scan it into the computer and turn the sketches into vector artwork.

I think when I record my process I'm much more aware of every step that I take and I end up making decisions faster. For example, I won't spend as much time trying different colors and patterns. Instead I'll think it through and make a decision in my head without having to see it on screen. I am more deliberate in my paths and carve out my shapes with more conviction.

I suppose knowing that someone will watch this process helps me to be more aware of what I'm doing and stops me from wasting energy and time trying to come to a decision. I also don't want to waste a viewers time by spending 5 minutes on different color choices if it's isn't necessary. I just make my decisions and move on. What's more, is that at the end of it all I actually have less tweaking to do to the final character than before. Because I'm much more sure of my decisions right off the bat, don't think twice on them as I go along. When the character is complete and I stop my recording I consider the piece done (on my end until the client wants some tweaks made). The point is, I don't sit on the illustration for longer than I have to and I don't mull over my design decisions. It's been a revelation.

I also find that watching my process over gives me more confidence in my skills and helps me to step back and see what I can do to make my illustration and my process better.

Anyway, back to illustrating...

I'll be posting one of these videos soon, so stay tuned!

UPDATE: here is one of those videos