At the basis of Sam Peet’s illustration practice lies a tension between minimalism and minimalism. Though packed with details and very much character-oriented, his work boils down to simple shapes and restricted color palettes, adding up to an illustrated universe that though seemingly chaotic is very much contained.
“I like to think, even though my work is vector illustration, that the way I work is pretty organic,” Peet remarked once in an interview with New Now. “I plan out pieces by doing roughs, then working directly into Illustrator I recreate my sketches. I always end up refining a piece for a while, moving things about until I’m happy with a composition.”
According to Peet, his style had evolved and shaped in the years since graduating with a BA in illustration from Cambridge School of Art in 2008. While beforehand his approach was more layered, adding a textured, handmade, feel to his pieces, these days his work is strictly digital.
But naturally, there’s still room for experimentation. “I usually produce more consolidated roughs,” says Peet, “sometimes with color, and supply a few options or creative routes for the client. If the theme is complex, I start off with finding a visual cliché.” These clients include brands like Apple, Twitter, FC Barcelona, and GQ Magazine.
Scroll down to see some of his recent work.
