Computerlove™

September 15th, 2008

Let's Talk, Si Scott

Manchester-based illustrator and graphic designer Si Scott thrives when left to his own devices. The creative freedom that illustration offers, versus the more constrained world of graphic design, is what first led him to develop his signature style. As a result, the 31-year-old British artist is now in high demand, doing work for a variety of commercial clients including Volvo, Atlantic Records, Unicef, and Nike among others. His ornate typographic illustrations are the hallmark of his work, as Scott has the ability to conceive and render entire worlds within the arc of a single letter. I caught up with Mr. Scott recently to talk about life and art. Here's how our conversation played out.

What first attracted you to illustration?

I was first attracted to illustration after growing increasingly frustrated by what I felt
were constraints with graphic design briefs at college. I found I could be a lot more creative with the briefs that the illustration students were doing—and could answer them in a more graphic-led way—if that makes sense?

So illustration provided more freedom?

I think so. It just seemed to offer more scope and freedom in the approaches you could take when answering the briefs. I was really into letterpress and screenprinting whilst at college and subsequently spent most of my time in the print room.

When and how then did you develop your distinct handrawn style of illustrative typography?

It came about from a brief I got from the Chase [Bank] in London to do something with a D&AD congress project. The brief was to show the creativity within the congress—I just illustrated inside the letter forms in a way that was very decorative and intricate to represent creativity in quite an abstract way. It was never used though! The bastards!

Is the process time-consuming?

Very!

Can you talk about the process—how you get started, what steps are involved?

I generally begin by questioning what the brief is asking of me and what would be the best way of tackling it. I don't sketch anything in pencil—just go straight to pen on paper. I've tried to sketch things out before but it just doesn't seem to work (I guess everybody has there own way of working).

I've recently started to use pencil again—I like to push myself and move the work forward as much as possible.

What influences your work?

I think I would have to say my main influence is music—it is the only other
thing in my life apart from design that I never get bored with. I am constantly listening
to music and for some reason seem to really like lyrics.

What is it that keeps you interested in design?

I'm not sure really. I've always loved drawing for as long as I can remember so I guess becoming interested in all things design was the next logical step. I'm never 100% happy with anything really that I produce so I'm always striving to make every piece better than the last.

What is it about lyrics that most appeals to you?

It's not just lyrics—words in general. I read quite a lot of books (factual mostly)
and am forever scribbling things down that I have read—some of it has to do with the letter forms and the way they look. I never wanted to copy anybody else's work—wanted my work to be my work, if that makes sense. So I was always striving to come up with ways of doing type and design that I hadn't seen before.

You've mentioned being hard on yourself. At this point in your career, do you feel you've accomplished the goal of doing type and design that is original?

I don't feel I've accomplished anything yet—I never sit back and think about things too much. I just want to keep moving forward and applying my work to different things and areas. I think once you become complacent that's pretty much it—you've got to push and challenge yourself or there's no point.

What do you hope to be doing in life 10 years from now?

I would really like to get into filmmaking in some way or another. I don't have any experience in it, but I think if you are creative and have ideas the technical stuff you just learn as you progress. Guess I'll just wait and see what happens.

Related links: www.siscottstudio.com www.somagallery.co.uk www.coshuk.com www.breedlondon.com www.llreps.com

Posted by: mnewton