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RESEARCH – VAROOM

Varoom is a publication that comments on contemporary illustration. Its articles include interviews with illustrators and critical articles, all relating to a specific theme set for the particular issue.

 

What do you find inspiring?

What I find inspiring about Varoom is that they have all kinds of styles of illustrations. It isn’t just one particular style but really shows that illustration comes in all sorts of different styles. It is also inspiring to get an insight into illustrators’ process and their thought process. For instance, in this article in the Rhythm issue, Lesley Barnes reflect on the process of creating her book, Jill and Lion, which was insightful and inspiring.

 

 

What type of information is in the magazine?

The magazine features interviews with illustrators, relating to the theme of each issue. These articles explore their process and individual style. There are also articles like Drawing with VR Tools: The Test Pilot that talks about different techniques in illustration, such as using virtual reality.

 

Who is the target audience?

People who are interested in illustration, perhaps who are illustrators themselves or aspiring to be.

 

 

EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS

John W. Tomac

Stopping Data Leaks | National Underwriter

 

The destruction of our democratic institutions | Los Angeles Times

 

How music influences memory | Rochester Review

 

Liberty’s Flameout | The New Yorker

John W. Tomac is primarily an illustrator who has worked with big names like The New Yorker, Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to name a few.

What do you find inspiring?

He creates illustration pieces that are simple, with a very strong concept that is impactful. I find it inspiring that he is able to easily identifiable elements and combines them to create an illustration that can be interpreted easily.

 

What medium do they use?

He mainly works with vector illustration that has very clean edges

 

How do they creatively interpret the text for the article?

Each piece that he creates is strong enough to stand on its own but paired with the text, becomes clearer instantly, and adds another perspective to the topic.

 

CHOSEN THEME: PLAY

Out of the three themes, play was the one I was immediately drawn to. Here’s a wordlist of that things that immediately come to mind when I think of play:

  • Child-like
  • Game
  • Fun
  • Lively
  • Quirky
  • Unafraid
  • High energy
  • Bold
  • Laughter
  • Social
  • Relationship
  • Freedom of expression

 

A few ideas:

  • Playground – slide, swing, sandbox, merry-go-round
  • Building blocks
  • Games – hide-and-seek, board games
  • Blowing bubbles
  • Pottery
  • Finger painting
  • Playdoh
  • Playing card
  • Doodling
  • Children books