Brett Ryder
Brett’s day-to-day output can be found in the pages of newspapers and magazines around the World. He has illustrated weekly columns throughout his career and is currently involved with both The Times and The Telegraph newspapers as a regular commitment. Beyond this, he is often challenged with weighty copy and short deadlines by the likes of the New York Times, The New Scientist, GQ magazine, The Los Angeles Times and The Economist. Not only has his editorial work gained him recognition from his peers in terms of awards from D&AD, American Illustration and the V&A Illustration Awards, it has also caught the imagination of many corporate and advertising clients. One of Brett’s most notable commissions to date has been for the packaging re-design of Dr. Stuart’s Herbal Teas. Brett’s esoteric images go some way to explaining the ingredients and healthy attributes of the range of herbal infusions.
In 2008 Brett was commissioned to produce the identity for the Guardian’s sponsorship of Glastonbury Festival. As well as providing an illustrated environment both front and back stage of the Guardian’s hospitality tent, every festival goer wore a lanyard around their neck, illustrated by Brett. These commissions have run concurrently with more corporate brochure and annual report work for global accountancy firm BDO Stoy Hayward and the Sustainable Forest Management company.
The diversity of Brett’s client base and application of his work is testament to a method of image making that relies in equal balance on unique ideas and acute attention to detail. Brett’s work seeks to defy photography in creating an image that could never be captured in real life. This gives Brett the artistic licence to turn the World on it’s head.
When Brett first started out, he worked mainly in pen, ink and found imagery. However, early on Brett began to collate images digitally. Brett’s work is a subtle alchemy of firstly hitting his head against the studio wall, which without fail seems to release a gem of an idea. Then it’s a matter of knowing that he has the reference to bring an idea to life. If necessary resorting to his studio ‘dressing up box’. If a certain pose or outfit is needed Brett will often don the necessary gear and set his camera on timer. Each element of his artwork is then finessed, combining handrawn elements, photography, collage and Photoshop seamlessly.
Brett is without a doubt, a truly unique illustrator.
Clients
Dr. Stuart’s Herbal Teas
The London Symphony Orchestra
The Guardian
Natwest Bank
Penguin Books
Red Bull
The Telegraph Newspaper
Time Magazine
The Economist
The New York Times
WPP
Business Week
Glastonbury Festival
GQ
The Financial Times
BBO Stoy Hayward Accountants
The Los Angeles Times
Sustainable Forestry Management
Forbes
Vodafone
The Royal Mail
Johnnie Walker
Random House
The 5th Avenue Theatre
New York Magazine
Rediff
Wall Street Journal
Coca-Cola
Fortune
Oprah magazine
Links
