Rachel Campbell
Rachel Campbell
Illustrator / Multidisciplinary Artist at The Illustratrice
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.theillustratrice.com
instagram @the_illustratrice
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I give form to a person’s / brand’s nature, message and style through mixed media.”
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I decided to start searching for alternate means of education, or at least a way to propel myself forwards into an environment where I would be learning the material I needed in order to give form to my desired career.
The private education system was making me question our blind-eyed dedication to a piece of paper, and I managed to transfer out of high school a year early to attend The Amsterdam Fashion Academy.
I was admitted based on my art portfolio, and completed their foundation year before going onto two internships with a California based creative agency and art director the following year.
This led to being featured in an exhibition by the brand Kit & Ace.
And now I am freelancing it!
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
A sense of business, but also the worth in themselves.
Presenting a client with one's standard contract before any work is executed, to layout the role of the project's economy, as well as protecting oneself, is not something I was seeing.
If you don't see yourself, or your work as worthy, then why should your client.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Kickstarting "Guts N' Glory" - a podcast on the power of following one's gut.
I thought why not hit record on some of the conversations I have with people and create a space where owning your instinct isn't viewed as some outlandish-woo-woo concept.
I am also looking to run a few print lines and combine this with VR when shopping them.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I am really project-based and like being able to harmonize with a client's design brief in the sense that a lot of my projects differ in style.
If you're looking for a thorough representation on my style/perspective, my socials would be your best bet, even though I know I need to post more.
Though to round it up in words, I'd say I always land somewhere in the spectrum between chic, eclectic, undone, and a little off.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Bridging illustration and fashion in pushing vertically integrated and sustainable brands as the visuals.
Also going to have to go with tech. I dabble a bit in web design and I am crazy about prototyping tools.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I want to live and work in the US but with the current visas it's a no-go.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Assist me in creating lifestyle content for Youtube and instagram. Having someone to man the camera would be a dream.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Work smart, not hard. I burnt out towards the end of 2016 and fell pray to the "hustle".
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Combining UX ,UI with product and virtual reality.
Would also love to know where our social presence on the web is headed, and it's eventual coupling with reality. Though I do love a good instagram feed, I am a sucker when it comes to old fashioned mood boarding.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Always and forever fashion and art with a twist of tech.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I worked with Ply-Knits, a cashmere brand based in New York. Working directly with the founder and creative director Carolyn Yim, I fell head over heels in love with the brand.
Ply-Knits is such a family affair, with all their knitwear made by the Yim family Knitters. Their heritage of three generations having worked alongside houses such as Christian Dior.
But what really stood out was their stance on sustainability as well as giving voice to the political climate in Mongolia and how this took effect on the sourcing of cashmere.
They walk the talk. And that's what I am looking for in the projects I take on.
People and brands of substance with a vision you can get behind.
Oh but I'd flip out if I got the chance to work with Free People.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
It boils down to the project, every design brief is so different.
Say I've been hired to create a comic for a magazine spread, in traditional mediums. I break down the design brief into -
1.Preproduction (research, character concepts, storyboard.etc..)
2.Size
3.Style (realistic, cartoon.etc..)
4.Color / Black & White
5.Level of Finish (shadowing, highlights, depth.etc...)
6.Materials used
7.Grant of Rights - Artwork's:
-Run time / Perpetuity
-usage in Print / Web
-Exclusivity (this client has sole rights)
-Reproduction royalties
*Level of revisions rate is also included in contract.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
A personal touch.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
People enhance people - go out!
This member profile was originally published in October 2017, Updated April 2018.