Saturday, May 23, 2020

COVID 19 Interview with Sandra Diaz, Illustrator Extraordinaire

I met Sandra through the HF Met Gala, truly an online explosion of talent! Sandra is an Illustrator and I wanted to know more about her and her profession, since I enjoy taking Fashion Program students to do live illustrations Vancouver Fashion Week and other events. Thank you, Sandra, for your enthusiastic participation and for your advice for emerging Illustrators! Thanks also to Marilyn R Wilson, for her leadership and support for the COVID Interviews Project.

Interview with Sandra Diaz 

1. Please tell us about your Illustration Career: length of time, clients/audience and your main goal.

I’m Sandra Lucia a Digital Fashion Illustrator based in Seattle and originally from Colombia. I have been an illustrator for 12 years and have been able to work with brands like Chanel, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg, Marciano, Bloomingdales, and many more. I have been an Artist in Residence of Saks Fifth Avenue since 2013, working their private VIP live sketching events. My main goal is to connect with the client as I sketch and listen to their story and make them feel like family to capture their essence during VIP Live Sketching events. During my senior year at Design and Architecture Senior High School, I had the opportunity to show a 10 piece collection at Miami Fashion Week as a part of my thesis. I attended Ringling College of Art and Design and earned a BFA degree in Illustration while also pursuing courses in Graphic Interactive Design. After college, I have worked primarily in the Beauty Industry as a Video Editor, Designer, and Art Director.

Lately, I create most of my work on my iPad Pro. I use the Procreate app to create digital illustrations. I bring them to life using Augmented Reality through Adobe Project Aero app. My goal is to keep focusing on growing as an artist by collaborating with creators and using my creativity to help other young illustrators/artists learn the things I wish I had known earlier in my career.

2. During COVID 19, I've been online more and loved going to @HFMetGala #HFMetGala 2020. What are your observations about this new opportunity?

Participating in challenges like HF Met Gala 2020 is a great way to create an online community and discover like-minded designers. Today it’s easier to access brands because they are in need of good social media content. Rodarte, Marchesa, FIDA have used my fashion illustrations for social media, particularly Instagram. I would even reach out to your favorite designers now that everyone has slowed down and asked them questions about their journey about how they got to where they are now. Many designers like Brandon Maxwell and Alexander Wang are on Instagram live and they are talking about the process and even reaching out to young designers like you to join them on live.  Personally I have had more time to participate in Art Challenges and also to focus on experimenting with my illustrations with Augmented Reality.  What is Augmented Reality? Augmented reality is a direct or the indirect live view of the physical, real-world environment whose elements are “augmented” by your smartphone. AR brings my artwork to life in your world and allows you to have fun with art like never before. Create your own challenges with fellow designers! I would love to see what you create.

3. How has social isolation affected you, your work, and your art? Advice for Student Designers/Illustrators?

Connect and reach out to artists that inspire you online; they are human. Never put anyone on the pedestal or be too nervous to ask questions. With Social isolation, I have been able to focus more on t fashion illustration. I urge you to take advantage of this time and think up your dream collection because I promise you this too shall pass. 

As a senior in college, I received feedback that I should only focus on illustration or design, not both. And, was also asked “Why Fashion Illustration? It’s a dead art.” I completely ignored that feedback and kept producing fashion illustrations and took internships in both Illustration and Design fields. At Ringling, I majored in Illustration but would also drop into Design courses that sparked my interest.

I feel strongly that “Passion” will set you apart from the rest. Fashion Design and Illustration have so many different applications in this digital world we now live in, including AR, motion, textile design, and digital publishing. I don’t believe that we have secure jobs anymore like our parents did working 20+ years at a single job. But instead, we can use our diverse experience to promote ourselves and earn the salary we deserve for our illustration and design work. Simply, one must become irreplaceable or forge their own path.

Fashion illustration has had a complete revival, thanks to Social Media. This has brought me clients like CHANEL, Carolina Herrera, and Saks, that I continue to freelance for because of my passion  to produce fashion illustrations. I taught myself how to be a video editor, web designer, and have polished my digital illustration skills because I am passionate about learning new skills, not just to get a job.

Being able to work with many stakeholders from different disciplines is so important— knowing that you are not the center of the universe but more a piece of the puzzle. It’s about what you can bring to the table— talent is great but a willingness to learn and being humble is why I have had great opportunities.

4. What are some new strategies to reach your clients/audience, readers, during this time?

First of all your productivity does not equal your worth; you are allowed to take it easy and rest. This is the first time that most of us are experiencing a Global pandemic so please put self-care on the top of your list of priorities. I would use this time to share your design process via social media, learn new skills through YouTube, or if you bold make your own channel. Also, connect through the hashtags you use, Social Media is all about authentic engagement. Please use this time to build a digital community around the world; some of my greatest teachers have been friends all over the world.  Be sure to tag your favorite brands if you are creating looks inspired by their runway looks. My homework assignment for you is to write a set of goals you want to accomplish in the next five years and write them down in a journal or create a mood board that is visible to you in your workspace. They don't have to be huge goals. They can be small too. The most important thing is that you take a look at them every day.  (If you would like to share them, be sure to tag me on Instagram #fearlessyaya) 

Fashion Documentaries Available in Prime Video:

  • McQueen
  • Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton
  • The drawings of Yvette Saint Laurent
  • Gucci The Director
  • Yohji Yamamoto Dressmaker
  • In Vogue: The Editor’s Eye
  • Halston (Director Cut)
  • Battle of Versailles
  • Oh, Dior
  • Scatter my ashes at Bergdorfs
5) Your motto

Stay humble, work hard, are words that move me forward. My Valentintino Muse Illustration is the first illustration I created after suffering a health crisis. I had a misdiagnosis but then, so fortunately, that was corrected and I got my life back.. I regained hope and began to recognize what was truly important in life my passion for fashion illustration, my health, and the love for my husband. I began to illustrate on the iPad for the first time in many years. I illustrated my muse in this illustration, my symbol of hope. I was so focused and consumed in my career trying to be somebody that I lost myself. The universe gave me this time of reflection and has magical given the tools to become a stronger version of myself. A few months ago I was invited to a Swarovski launch party, it a brand I been dreaming to collaborate on and meet with creative directors. I am slowly putting together a fashion illustration portfolio and exploring my illustration style.

When I am sketching, as an Artist in Residence I feel like I am truly at home working with major fashion brands and illustrating clients, seeing their faces light up when I hand them an illustration.

Forge your own path. These are unprecedented times. Now, more than ever, think about what makes you happy and pursue it fulltime. Start building your portfolio on your own to be ready when opportunity knocks on your door.

I am drawing and posting on Instagram every day. I will be opening my Etsy Shop this Saturday, which I am super excited about. https://www.etsy.com/shop/Fearlessyaya

HFMetGala Illustrations:

Lady Gaga: 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xux1Ugqyv/

Lily Collins:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0JIKkgXsk/

Met Virtual Runway:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_yj0oLgxQk/



































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