Mica Illustration 2008

Q+A from Jess Neil

1.) What have you been doing post-graduation (art-wise or life-wise) and what are your plans for the next few months?
I have been working full-time as a graphic designer at Spur Design over in Hampden. It's a design firm owned by two freelance illustrators, so my assignments have been really unique and our clients are usually more open minded. I have been learning all kinds of great information for those interested in being a freelance illustrators (I think this blog is a great place for me to write some posts for you guys about how my bosses go about promoting themselves and their work!) I love the consistency of the 9-5, but within the next month I am going to start taking on a few free-lance web projects which I am very excited about!

2.) Where have you moved to (be specific: ex."hampden") ? Are you happy/excited/frustrated/ disappointed by your new location? Is there something about this new place you wanna advertise, or warn us about? (Ex. great Tex-Mex food, bad public transportation)
I moved to Mt. Washington (I am about 5mins away from amazing glaze, which I know a handful of people are familiar with location-wise) and I am really happy with my change of location. I am surrounded by trees but still close enough to the city to visit when I want to. Really adorable sushi place near me as well!

3.)Is there something you have created since you graduated you would like to share? (it doesn't have to be an illustration)
Like many others, the work I have been doing isn't in my hands to pass around online. I did the program for icon5 (which I also went to, and it was insane but entertaining) and if you get the illustration directory no.25 when it comes out I did all the index/inside page design! I am however promising myself to pick up my pattern project (which I think most of you have done). I have about 52 more designs left and then I am going to work on making everything into a book! I'll post stuff on that once I get it rolling.

4.) Which specific color have you been using/thinking about the most lately?
I am always thinking about greys and mustard yellow.

5.) Tell us something about you that has changed since we last met.
I am going to follow the trend here and talk about my hair. I have side-swept bangs now (I got my hair cut at this really cute place in hampden called Sprouts, kinda pricey considering I am used to free hair cuts from friends but totally worth it!)