Some collaborations begin with a brief.
Others begin decades earlier.
Newcastle based Illustrator and designer Inga Campbell has been part of the Abicus story since our opening days, returning over the years as both a customer and friend. When the time came to evolve our visual language, there was never any desire to reinvent what already existed, only to find someone who understood it.
Inga recently helped shape the visual direction across our social channels, journal and email, while also creating the illustrations featured throughout our 25 Year project. We visited her home studio to talk about creativity, simplicity and the quiet details that often say the most.
When you're working on something like Abicus, what are you actually looking for?
I'm usually looking at what's already there and what makes the business what it is. From there, it's about finding ways to tell that story visually. My design style is quite simple and probably quite editorial because of my background in magazines, so I'm always trying to strip things back rather than add more. With Abicus, I was looking at what already felt natural and special about the business and then finding small ways to bring that to life.
What felt important to keep when thinking about Abicus?
The sense of familiarity. Abicus has such a strong history in Newcastle and a really loyal following. I've actually been a customer since the store first opened 25 years ago and was there on opening night, so I've watched it evolve over the years while staying true to what makes it special. It's already an incredible store with beautiful visuals and a strong sense of identity, so there was never any need to reinvent it. For me, it was about respecting what people already loved and introducing elements of storytelling and consistency that helped bring everything together.
"There was never any need to reinvent it. It was about respecting what people already loved."
You work a lot with paper, ink and texture. What draws you to that?
For me, it always comes back to the original forms of creating. Pen to paper, paintbrush and watercolour. I spend a lot of my time on a computer, so I love stepping away from the screen and making something by hand. As amazing as digital tools are, I've never found anything that quite captures the character of watercolour on paper. There's an unpredictability to it that I really love.
What can illustration communicate that photography or words sometimes can't?
For me, illustration is all about simplifying things and focusing on the details that matter. I work a lot with watercolour, and one of the things I love most is the imperfections that come with it. Sometimes the most interesting parts of a piece are the little accidental marks or unexpected details that happen during the process.
"Sometimes the most interesting parts of a piece are the little accidental marks."
What do you tend to come back to, visually?
Simplicity, always. Natural shapes, handwritten marks, old packaging, homes with history, things that have been touched and used over time. I'm drawn to things that carry a sense of age and character. I've always had quite classic taste, both in design and in life. I tend to steer away from things that feel overly designed or driven by trends. Classic typography, thoughtful details and designs that stand the test of time will always appeal to me more than whatever happens to be popular at the moment. I've always believed that less is more.
How did you approach illustrating the Arizona, Boston and Blundstone 585?
I've always loved illustrating objects, so my starting point was really just spending time looking at each piece and noticing the details that make it instantly recognisable.Whether it's the shape, the colour and character that comes with the piece, I'm always looking for the little details that help bring it to life on the page. From there, I'll sketch in pencil, refine the proportions, ink the outline, gradually build the watercolour layers and finish by adding the finer details. It's a traditional process, but one I still really enjoy.
What kind of places do you like spending time in?
Nature would be number one, without a doubt. Whether it's the beach, my garden or out on a trail, I need some connection to the outdoors most days. It helps me clear my head, and it's probably where I do some of my best thinking. I also love exploring new places. Bookshops, galleries, old homes and wandering around Newcastle all leave me feeling inspired. I much prefer places with character, where you can take your time, discover something unexpected and feel connected to the people and the place around you.
"I've always believed that less is more."
Connect with Inga @inkling_design and www.inklingdesign.com.au
Photography by www.justinaaron.com.au
