01. Stanley Chow: "Move into 3D"
"I think I want trying to explore different avenues," says Stanley Chow when asked what he wants from 2013. "Being an illustrator, most of my work is print based and two dimensional." And his 2013 resolution will be familiar to a lot of illustrators working predominately with vectors: "I feel for me there is plenty of room for me to still evolve and to also work more in animation, motion and 3D modelling."
- Do you want to move into 3D? Check out these 25 tutorials.
02. Tom Muller: "Grow my design practice"
For Tom Muller, 2013 is going to be a year of development. When questioned on his ambitions for next year, he says: "To keep growing my design practice in its second year of trading after a successful first year. I'd also like to try to stay independent and work on projects and with clients that interest me." But he has something a bit more pressing: "First thing though will be a new helloMuller website, which has been in a state of development limbo for almost two years now."
03. Lee Crutchley: "Promote myself more"
2012 has been a great year for Lee Crutchley. His Quoteskine book was launched and brought him attention across the globe - no less from our sister mag Computer Arts. And his resolution for 2013 is pretty straightforward: "Promote my work more to people who might hire me. And make it, or at least, earn enough money to be a normal functioning grown up."
04. Luke O'Neill: "Work more with motion"
O'Neill has a long history in print design, but over 2012 has been working more in digital - both motion and interactive magazines. In 2013 he wants to continue this and more: "Getting more involved in digital is a big thing," he says, "but also developing my illustration work with a view to possibly putting on an exhibition and working with large scale environmental/exhibition graphics in some capacity." He continues: "I'd also like to start a design blog to sit alongside my site, travel more, and work and live abroad."
- Want to put on an exhibition in the new year? Here's how to do it.
05. Mitch Blunt: "Focus more on my personal projects"
2012 was a great year for young illustrator Mitch Blunt, which he describes as "my busiest yet". But although Blunt is grateful for all the client work over the last year, his resolutions for 2013 revolve around becoming better as an illustrator - doing something all creatives should try to do from time to time: "I would like to focus some more time on personal projects next year," he says.
06. Jonny Wan: "Show off my portfolio"
"My new year resolution as an illustrator is to get back on the road with my portfolio, pound the pavement and meet new clients in person," says prolific illustrator Wan whose 2012 has seen him working for some of the world's biggest clients.
"Working as an illustrator can be very isolating and sometimes the only human contact you get is through meetings on Skype," he continues. "Getting out and about will do me good not just for the fresh air but also for the feeling of physically being out there.
"Because of the ease of the internet, any illustrator can create a PDF of their portfolio and in seconds fire it off to numerous art directors. But to me nothing beats that personal contact you have when you're sat in front of a potential commissioner. There's a chance there to really strike up an interesting conversation and build in my mind a more memorable relationship."
- Also read: Create the perfect design portfolio: 30 pro tips
07. Lesley Barnes: "Start mentoring"
Lesley Barnes' 2013 resolutions involve giving something back. Specifically, she's started on a picture book mentoring scheme aimed at illustrators wanting to go into children's' book work. Called Picture Hooks it's funded by Creative Scotland. "I hope to make the most of that and come out with some really good work," she says.
- For more on mentoring read: Why illustrators need to be business-savvy
- Also read: 10 designer tips for a successful side project
08. Christian Day: "Use new technology"
"As an agency, our resolution is to always keep delivering A-grade work for our clients, each year we try to better ourselves and grow," enthuses Day. "The work we do allows us to be creative across a wide range of fields and campaigns too - from online, to mobile, to installations to motion - so on a personal level it is to keep pushing what we do as an agency in all these areas, to collaborate with new and amazing talents and to use emerging technology in new and creative ways."
- Read about the innovative ways designers are using new technologies in this article.
09. Matt Booth: "Get away from the desk"
We're big fans of the experimental digital creations of Matt Booth, but his 2013 resolution is, contrarywise, to "get away from the desk and make some things. Preferably out of wood. Cue the joiner father-in-law". We can't wait to see what he comes up with!
10. Hello Creatives: "Use Comic Sans"
Finally, the creative network Hello Creatives poses an intriguing challenge all designers can respond to. Its 2013 resolution is: "the ultimate challenge. Use Comic Sans successfully. Then we can rest."
