Project Process
Step 1: Picking the Clients
Firstly, I wanted to pick the individuals that I would be designing tattoos for. I decided to pick individuals that I could be in close contact with easily. This was especially important when it came to being able to go over iterations and ideas during the designing process. After close consideration, I decided on these five individuals.
Step 2: Client Questionnaires
Going into this project, I wanted to make sure that I would be able to have the wishes of my clients met. I created a simple questionnaire made up of 5 questions and had my clients answer them before I began the research and designing process.
- What is the meaning or inspiration behind your tattoo?
- What kind of style or aesthetic are you looking for? (Traditional, Blackwork, Fine line, etc.)
- What size and placement are you looking for?
- Do you have any specific images or references that you’d like to use?
- Do you have any preferences when it comes to color ink or black ink?
Once I had my answers from my clients, I filled out the questionnaire that I made and filled in the boxes with my received input.
Step 3: Designing
After receiving the feedback from my clients, I began the designing process. I worked closely with all of my clients during the sketching process to ensure that what I was designing would be up to their standards. One of my biggest helps were the photo references that my clients all shared with me personally. It gave me an idea of what exactly they were looking for in their designs.
During this time, I made a lot of changes to detail placement, text placement, etc. Since I worked on paper, I was able to easily erase things and change them as I went before transferring them in digitally.
Inspired by the Aztec myth of Quetzalcóatl and the rabbit. Requests for it to be in a vintage style, using strict blue ink and fine line techniques.
Inspired by the first Geisha doll in my collection that I’ve ever gotten, which features a traditional straw hat. Strictly black line work with a red strap to match the pop of red color from a previous tattoo.
Something inspired by Silent Hill, including a quote and some sort of religious imagery. A mixture of fine line and thicker line work with a pop of red color, include quote “Grant me just a small piece of your everlasting mercy.”
Inspired by his pet corgi named Hiro. Cartoonish style with simple coloring/shading and black line work.
Something nautical, like a sea turtle. Draws inspiration from her time in the navy, featuring the achievement of a naval shellback. Fine line, along with a watercolor style.
Step 4: Execution and Completion
Once my clients were all happy with their sketched designs, I began the process of rendering them in Adobe Illustrator. I used a handful of tools, such as the Curvature Tool, the Live Paint Tool, as well as the (incredibly annoying) watercolor brush tool in order to make the designs match the requests of all of my clients.
