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Danielle Meder is a professional fashion illustrator from Toronto, Canada. She is a graduate of Toronto's Ryerson University fashion design bachelor degree program and has been working for three years as a freelance illustrator. In her three short years Danielle has not only become a respected illustrator but also has won design competitions, illustrated books, and how now even become a published author of her own book.
1) As an illustrator can you give our readers a bit of an introduction into what it is you do, at the basic level? What is the role of an illustrator in the industry?
I help fashion designers communicate their ideas, both for production and sales purposes. I create illustrations for individual clients for a variety of purposes - from original artwork to hang on walls, to miniature portraits to use on contributor pages, facebook profiles and business cards. And occasionally I have the opportunity to work with a newspaper and create an editorial illustration to complement a story.
2) You also are part of the new generation of fashion professionals who are running websites and blogs. How do you feel this medium affects your career as an illustrator? Have you experienced negatives or has it all been helpful in some way?
The worst advice I ever ignored was to avoid posting my drawings on the internet. Without my website, the support of the fashion blogging community, and the serendipity of Google I wouldn't have a career. Are there negatives? I am sure there are. Being a blogger used to have a bit of a stigma because people didn't understand what it was.
3) I remember you, before you were finished school, from TheFashionSpot. You had a blog then also and were always very professional in your postings and dealings. Were you cognizant of your future professional reputation or were you just lucky to be such a level-headed student?
Uhhh.... I guess I was always a good speller, but I think back in the TFS days I was quite the know-it-all despite my utter lack of experience so I don't think of myself as having always been oh-so-pro. That has been learned painfully the hard way over the past four years. That said, I have always been fascinated with fashion and completely focused on learning more about the industry, and I have always been passionate about making the effort to be a better writer so I think that comes across even when I was more ignorant.
4) I still have trouble biting my tongue sometimes and editing my opinions. I agree, it is definitely a learning experience! As for the past, as a student and earlier, was it always your goal to be an illustrator?
I always loved illustrating but I never seriously thought that I would be able to make a go of it professionally. As a kid, I wanted to be a writer, but I didn't take that seriously as a life goal either. I really had no idea what I wanted to do.
5) Well in that case, what was your initial focus or desire with your fashion education?
My only goal was to escape my rural childhood and start over. I had always had the feeling that I was in the wrong place, in the wrong clothing, with the wrong friends, and I wanted to change that. I chose Fashion over my second choice, English, because I felt that I'd rather choose an applied program than an academic one.
6) And what was responsible for the change of direction to illustration and a future career?
As it happened, I was always finding opportunities to do it so it was circumstances more than anything else that encouraged me to pursue it as a goal. Frankly I have a tendency to drift through life rather aimlessly. I needed a lot of luck and encouragement before I developed the confidence to actually set goals. Now I do think of things I want to do, places I want to go, and I do try to picture my life in 10 years, 20 years, and work towards that.
One of Danielle's many projects: An illustrated paper doll book.
7) I actually can relate directly to that. I have an incredibly difficult time trusting myself enough to be confident in my future wants and the encouragement I have received from special instructors has helped me a lot with that. Now that you are done school and working as an illustrator, looking at it with an experienced eye do you think there are other factors a potential student should take into consideration when deciding whether to take a dedicated fashion program or an arts school program?
I don't think it really matters what type of school you go to - if you have the aptitude and the tenacity you can do whatever you want. When I am asked for recommendations I always tell students to choose a school within your financial means - even if that means you have to settle for college or even just a few night classes. Even if you do find success as an artist early, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to earn enough to service five-figure student loans. Having to take a day job in order to pay for art school kind of defeats the whole idea.
I do think that work experience - paid or not - is the most valuable thing you can do, and its easier to obtain than you think. Being in a large city with a lively fashion industry is also incredibly helpful. I do want to encourage young people to not rush into higher education if they can't afford it. I think the myths of post-secondary education are unnecessarily burdening our generation. Speaking from experience.
8) In the end are you happy with your career choice? Do you have plans to grow from here, or to transition into other types of related (or unrelated) work?
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a fashion illustrator. I don't think that I will do this my whole life; fashion illustration is a media that gets dated. I also know that I love a lot of variety in my life, there are a lot of things that I want to do. The ultimate will be to have an owner-built home and studio, to have the time to write and illustrate books, and the means to travel on a regular basis, and to help the people I love achieve their goals. I'd love to learn how to garden, and I can imagine a time in my life where I enjoy meaningful physical work - building things, growing things, making things - that has nothing to do with fashion.
Winner of the Doc Marten Boot Design contest
9) As an illustrator, I think it goes without saying that you don't have a 9-5 job. In fact, I'm guessing you don't have a M-F job either, nor do you probably have any kind of schedule to speak of. Anyone who follows your website will know that you not only work as an illustrator but that you stay very active in the Toronto Fashion scene both as a professional and somewhat on a personal level. Despite all this, do you think you could give us a run down of the life of an illustrator? Have you managed to carve out a schedule of some sort or do you thrive on the possibilities of a life that changes day to day.
I once made a resolution to have regular hours - that was one that I couldn't keep. Part of what I like about what I do is that I can do it when I like. That said, I am an early riser and find myself more productive in the mornings, so that's when I do most of my work. Evenings are good for getting out of the studio so I don't spend 100% of my time alone. The social aspect helps me balance the solitary nature of being a freelancer. I never know when busy times or slow times come along, part of the deal of being a freelancer is just being able to roll with it. I always have something on the go. Whenever you see people they want to know what you're up to and it seems to me "nothing" is a lame answer, so even if I don't have client projects I am always working hard on the website, personal projects, whatever.
10) I have to be honest and say that the life of a freelancer, especially one who makes an effort to be involved in their local fashion community, sounds very exhausting to me. I know there are some people who find this all very exciting and can not imagine a better life. Where are you in all this? How do you balance everything and keep your energy...and sanity?
Well, its a lot of fun. And when I get exhausted, I just go to bed. When I need downtime, I let voicemail answer the phone. I don't have a cell phone, so when I am outside of the studio I'm not on call. And whenever I can, I try to get out of the city, spend time with my family, and have a private life that isn't readily apparent from my blog. Just like with anything, you set your own boundaries and create the life that is right for you.
Danielle contributed technical illustrations and some fabric renderings for Fashion Illustration School by Carol Nunnelly
11) So you're quite busy and well known in some circles (according Alexa your website is one of the most popular Canadian fashion sites!). Do you consider yourself established as an illustrator, firm on your techniques and style, solid in your illustration voice?
I still feel like a newbie - I've been doing this full time for less than three years. There is a certain level of client that I am still pursuing, there is definitely a lot more room for growth. Having a nice website doesn't necessarily translate into a high-rolling lifestyle, eh? The more experience I get, the less I feel like I know things for certain, if that makes sense. You can spend a lifetime learning how to be a better artist and a better business person. Its a constant process. Also, I associate firm-ness with decline. Establishment is brittle and fragile. I'd rather be flexible, even if it means I never have the comfort of stability.
12) Was it difficult to develop those techniques, style and voice that scream "this is a Danielle Meder illustration?"
I'm at a stage where my own abilities don't match the quality I aspire for. I used to feel that I was quite facile in my work, but now I see more and more areas I'd like to develop more and improve. I do more drafts per drawing now than I ever have in my life. I work harder to make my illustrations seem more effortless and easy. I hope that I'm not locked into the style I am working in now for life - although I also have to accept that there is a fingerprint in my work and play to my strengths. No matter what, my personality and intentions come through my work whether I want them to or not. So its difficult, but not in the way I think you mean.
13) As a student of illustration, and maybe even still, were there any techniques or exercises you did which you feel really improved your own skills, vision and focus?
Drawing from life is incredibly valuable and I admit I don't do it enough. Having adventurous clients who push me outside my previous experience is an incredible motivating force to master new media and techniques. Constantly putting my work out there for praise and criticism encourages me a lot. The momentum of the blog helps keep me going. But mostly its just practice. Draw a fashion figure. Good. Now do it a million more times.
14) Aside from the obvious of improving your skills, what do you think a student who hopes to graduate and work as illustrator should be doing to improve their chances in industry?
Having a business card and a website is a validating step. Call yourself a fashion illustrator. Go to events, introduce yourself to people, ask lots of questions. Make lots of mistakes. Keep eyes wide open for opportunity. Persist through the adversity. Be positive.
15) Do you have any final comments for illustrator hopefuls that are reading this?
Don't forget to bring a pencil.
You can get in touch with Danielle Meder, or learn
more about her at her website FinalFashion.ca
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Monday, 21 December 2009
Danielle Meder is a professional fashion illustrator from Toronto, Canada. She is a graduate of Toronto's Ryerson University fashion design bachelor degree program and has been working for three years as a freelance illustrator. In her three short years Danielle has not only become a respected...
© 2010 - Fashion Students Online
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