Throughout this series, designers have talked us backwards through their shots, starting from the finish and deconstructing, explaining the process from Z to A.
To show you our A to Z, we’re presenting our final article in its original form: The questions and the answers. No editing beyond the rare typo-fix. No googling. No snarky asides. (Well, maybe one or two.)
Think of it like a mini documentary. “Going Green: Raw Cut.” Which sounds like a salad at our local organic cafe, but whatever. Cue the indie folk soundtrack. And 3 … 2 … 1 …
Talk about the shot you’ve chosen to highlight. Come at it from whatever angle you’d like— tell us how you came up with the design, why this particular project excites you, what the client requested — your call.
The story that never was.
The Set up:
I found out that swissmiss had featured my set “Things my 3 year old says" on her blog which in it self was just cool to me. I even did my happy dance, it’s the little things. That night I received an email from a major US children’s network about developing some characters for an app they were creating, they had seen my work on swissmiss. I actually squealed and walked around with a big stupid grin on my face for the night. I was unbearable to be around, "stupid happy" comes to mind.
Brief Cartoon Nerd History:
I am a big kid disguised in adult clothes, and having a 6-year-old amplifies that. I remember the days of Cow and Chicken, I am Weasel, Johnny Bravo, Dexter and DD and those were just my college years in Waterford IT, but I grew up on Bugs Bunny and Foghorn Leghorn etc. I saw Monsters, Inc. on a date with Kevin in London when it was first released, I even had my own Sully, which now resides in my parents house, in the attic that used to be my bedroom. Saturday mornings are still reserved for cartoon time. I didn’t care that the work may never see the light of day, I was just happy to get that email and the opportunity to submit work.
The Brief:
With the work I had been doing for the TV show BB & Bella, it really helped when it came to developing these characters. The brief was to create a wizard, his pet dragon, and some minions as well as some sets. I went through several rounds of my own sketches, pulled together some mood boards and references for the art required. Once I was happy with the sketches I fleshed them out in Photoshop. It was unfortunate the project was shelved but the person I was in touch with was just incredible and followed up which is always nice.
Tell us a little bit about Carlow (or what you miss most from home living in the US). Favorite hangout or public space or anything else you love and/or miss.
Carlow (Ceatharlach) is a small but beautiful town south of Dublin but north of Waterford in what we like to call in Ireland “The sunny south east,” yes we Irish have a strange sense of humor. Carlow has a megalithic rock, a castle that was half blown up because a doctor wanted to make more room for his patients, and a great art festival every year called Eigse. People come from all the over world to participate. If you ever had to take the train during the 1990’s, there was a train conductor who once we got to Carlow would just mercilessly drag out the sound of the name “Ceaaarrrlllooowww” it got to a point that I thought they would end up recording his voice so that for all eternity when they stopped at the train station people would hear it. Kevin still says it every time we have to take the train there.
I grew up in a B&B, which as you can imagine was always interesting, so every time we go home at least there is a room for us and a great Irish breakfast, blood pudding and all. I miss the slower pace of life, the food, being able to stroll through town and politely nod at the people I know. It is just a really big version of “Cheers.” All of Eliana’s cousins are there but we FaceTime and the girls go through their rooms showing off their dolls. Eliana understands that mum talks funny and my dad had her convinced if she ate the Irish cheese she would sound more like her mum … she didn’t fancy that at all. St. Patrick’s day in Ireland for me used to be Church > Parade > Pub but not necessarily in that order.
Will you do anything special this St. Patrick’s Day? If so, what?
After buying all the soda bread I can find in Jewel and all the Barry’s tea that’s on sale, we will probably go to Naperville and celebrate with the West Suburban Irish community that host the parade there. The only time you will see a Storm Trooper in a kilt. After that we will probably hit up Quigley’s Pub (if we can get in the door) for some fish and chips. Again it’s the little things. I’ll FaceTime with my family and feel a little sad not to be home. It is a big ol’ party weekend for the Chi-rish. So long as we are with family and friends, all is well with my world.
Finally, choose another Dribbbler whose work you admire, and tell us why.
Just so you know this question is sucktastic. [Ed. Note: Clearly we’re not editing. She just called our question sucktastic, and we let it stand. Raw, people. Raw.] I follow some really stellar people on Dribbble that vary in style, form and technique. I really struggled with this, ‘cause there is Dave Mottram, Rogie, Jeremey Holmes, Adam Grason, Steve Simpson, Shawna x, Pam Wishbow, Mc Baldassari, Jennifer Lucey-Brzoza and Claire Coullon. They all rock, but Dave won for 3 reasons. 1. It is his birthday weekend. [Ed. Note: Happy Birthday Dave!] 2. He was the person that drafted me. THANKS DAVE. [Ed. Note: Nice work, Dave!] 3. Have you seen his work??? Speaks for itself. [Ed. Note: Grackles and Monkeys and Pugs, Oh My!]
I follow Dave on almost every social media platform. He has a beautiful clean style with a lot of texture and warmth in his pieces. I am always in awe of his daily sketches and his colored illustrations are always so charming and endearing. They make me smile. This piece “Catching Bugs” has a little Mary Blair flair to it, which I love.
And for confirmation/input: Ciara Panacchia originally from Carlow, where she met her husband Kevin originally from Burbank, IL, whom she spotted in a crowd holding a camera during a festival in the town, currently living in Warrenville, IL with their daughter Eliana. Illustrator, designer, and creator of the Elie’s Books series introducing children to basic words in Irish, English, French and Spanish. Illustrating a TV series with Igloo Films for release in May 2013.
Found working online at ciaracreative.com, tweeting online @ciarasworld.
So that was A. We take A and move it around, nipping, tucking, stitching ‘til we arrive at Z. But you know what? This reads pretty charming as is. We’re going to leave it. Because we’re the editor. And we can.
Thanks for reading! Cue credits.
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