Joker

Illustration created to showcase Illustrator for iPad

Role: Illustrator

Timeline: July 2020 – August 2020

Client: Adobe

Background

I was so thankful to be supported by the Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund for this piece. The goal was to create an illustration that highlighted the features of Illustrator for iPad (release date: Fall 2020). I based my final artwork on an old sketch that was just waiting to be turned into something fun!

Process

(click images to enlarge)

The basic forms of the letters were inspired by a screenshot I took of a chandelier in the movie “Casablanca.” I originally thought there were letters on the chandelier but upon realizing there weren’t, I decided to make them myself.

I used that lettering as the basis for the Joker card design. Other inspiration included vintage joker playing cards, an old Hebrew alphabet, and the colors from a greeting card I found in an antique shop.

More Process

Once I got the design onto Illustrator for iPad, I played with several of the features like pen, pencil, shapebuilder, grid repeat, and drawing guides. I added the gradient around the lettering for more interest and to add a modern twist.