Connecting with Elaine Biss

Elaine's Answer's 

1. What steps did you take to get to where you are now? e.g. who did you talk to, collaborate with?

I studied commercial art and graphic design. I honestly don’t think they teach commercial art now because it is a really weird combination of graphic design, illustration and typography as well as other artistic disciplines, that basically have their own field of study. 

So at the end of 2004, I started what would become my art studio by offering graphic and web design services.

By 2007, I had discovered Corel Painter, a fantastic software capable of replicating the look and feel of artwork created in different real mediums. So I would wake up really early, and do digital watercolors, airbrush and even do pencil sketches. I loved the fact that I wasn’t killing a tree to produce art. I was also very tired of web design.

An acquaintance recommended that I join a now defunct social network called “iqons”. They were having an Adore Dior Artist Open Call. The open call asked participants to submit portfolios of their photography. I won the open call. I think I was the only illustrator. Christian Dior discovered me and called me their Design Diva.

That collaboration with Dior snowballed my career that had started teaching myself software. Those pieces ended up being part of my first portfolio.

The collaboration was so successful that more companies made contact with me and I gained more notoriety.

2. How did you find your personal style? 

That was a little tricky. A lot of experimentation, fear of ruining material and time was consumed to find a style that I felt comfortable with. I knew what I wanted my style to represent-style and sophistication. Fashionable logos. Fashionable art. I simply wanted to take your breath away.

I took a few watercolor classes with specific artists whose style I admired and formed dead heroes (artists that are no longer with us). The dead heroes was by design. I needed to learn by observing. Then executing techniques that I learned, without needing approval or direction. This was an incredibly formative experience, as it allows you to follow instructions, with little art direction. 

So I bought many books about my dead heroes. I wanted to hear about their lives, how it shaped their art, and even the crazy controversial side. The part that creates chaos, because that’s often the vehicle for creation. One example would be Joe Eula. I highly recommend the research.

3. What tips would you give someone trying to find their own style?

Find your dead heroes. Look to the past to create your future. Find contemporary artists that you admire and ask yourself, why do you find them appealing. Observe their techniques and ask yourself, more than just incorporating said technique, how can I improve on it? How can I make it better and add my own touch?

4. In your professional career, what barriers have you had to overcome?

When I started studying graphic design, I was told, “no one becomes a graphic designer, to become rich and famous.”

When I started studying art, I was told, “artist that makes the most money, is the one that can find beauty in the ordinary.“ 

We had 4 girls in the class. I believe that there are more incentives for women to pursue a career within the STEM umbrella than art. Men still lead the web and tech design field. 

As fo the art field... If you decide to pursue art, you are expected to stick to just a particular discipline. I disagree. 

Art encompasses so many studies,  and though you do not have to master it all, being exceptionally good at a few, can work to your advantage. Yet this is often seen as a disadvantage. I had a male professor tell me he wouldn’t hire me because my portfolio was “too girly.” 

To be fair, he would rather have, a more gender neutral portfolio, for someone entering the field in his firm. His truth was not my truth. I wasn’t thrilled, but I was paying him big bucks to be honest. I felt he was wrong. I was embracing my femininity and I wanted it to show in my art. I also knew I could make money with it. And I did!

The amount of female clients disappointed by a ‘male’ designer  encompasses over 85% of my total clients that I get a year. I am sure that there are good designers that can design/illustrate for both sexes, I feel “a woman’s touch” in the world of art has no paradigm. Especially when creating logos and art to cater a female demographic.

This makes my disappointment a bit political but, keep in mind, this is my anecdotal experience. I’ve dealt with many male designers that are gifted and then there is that one percent that is just clueless. Some of the clueless ones are the best I’ve ever worked with.😊

5. What do you see as your best achievement so far and why?

I tend to downplay my achievements because I constantly I am looking for “the next thing.” 

Also, if you live for that one achievement that you got 8 years ago, you never see the next opportunity. From mastering calligraphy to conquer mixing my own paints-To me learning without limits is the greatest achievement.

When you share what you have learned, Dior knocks at your door.

But to answer your question, working with LVMH and Bloomingdale’s was fantastic and always look forward to doing events with them.

6. What would you be doing if you were in my situation now? (Studying a degree in Graphic Design)

I wouldn’t be studying graphic, if I were you. I loved graphic design, and then left it. Because my love and interest lies within illustration.

If... IF... you love graphic design, enjoy the ride. If you feel, your skills and interest go beyond your love for graphic design, explore it. Make adjustments in your studies to show where you want to be. Be clear as to what your profession will be, so you can celebrate when you get there.

If you feel your skills and interests lie beyond graphic design, and overlap with Illustrations, rethink your degree. I did and I don’t regret it. However, this should be your choice. In the end, you have to live with that decision for the rest of your career.

7. What was the most important thing you learned whilst studying Graphic Design at Parsons New School of Design in NYC?

Freedom can be crippling. 🤣 Okay let me explain... Sometimes when the choices are infinite, the decision making process becomes infinite too. Give yourself limitations, and creativity flourishes. Also be curious. It can lead you to wonderful places.

8. What advice would you give another designer hoping to be as successful as you?

 Well, first of, never set your goal at “be as successful as this artist.” Because it could be that the particular artist you admire, may not be as successful as he/she seems. Maybe you can do better than they can so, why limit yourself? 

I didn’t know that till I got what I felt was someone else’s success-and their success was sucky, and hard and it encompasses looking ridiculous and fabulous all at the same time. It wasn’t me.

A better question to ask Yourself is, what does success mean to me?What does it look like? What does success bring? Is it happiness? Is it wealth? Is it fame? The clients? Travel? Followers? Whatever that means to you, if you put it in your goals, it comes to you. You invite it.

For me, it meant happiness. And happiness meant, but I could travel, that I had money, that I had good clients, that my clients pay me what I was worth. That they knew I am a professional in my field and my expertise was worth their money. So I ask yourself those questions.