Net Picks - Nautical and Pirate Inspired Designs For Boys
When I start designing I usually tend to create designs and illustrations geared towards girls. Not sure if it's because I am/was a girl or if I just love really cutesy, sweet inspired clothes and patterns, but I feel that I've sorely neglected the boys' market.
One trend that is currently hot right now is the nautical/pirate trend for boys. I actually feel this trend has a lot of possibilities and directions you can run with. I love how the examples I've pulled are all really fun with distinct styles.
Suzy Ultman - I always love Suzy's work. she can do so much with line and shapes! Look how fun her pirate characters are, especially the guy ont he left with the fun hair/beard and the little hook for a hand! Her color palette is really suitable for boys but isn't the traditional primary or blues and greens. I like how she used very sophisticated neutrals so that her bright blues and reds really pop! Please check out more of her work in her portfolio on Lilla Rogers Studio's website.
Mike Lowery - I love Mike's fun cartoony style. His characters are always really fun to look at (even when they have sleepy eyes) and his strong hand drawn style would look great on boys' clothes or on a backpack. Please check out more of Mike's work on his website. He is also represented by Lilla Rogers Studio.
Rebecca Jones - One thing I love about Rebecca's work is her attention to detail. I love the hand drawn elements like the coins and the treasure chest. They stand out but do not take away from the lovely pirate sea creatures she created! I love the detailing in the tattoos on the little pirates. Please check out more of her lovely work on her website. Rebecca is also represented by Lilla Rogers Studio.
Monster Riot - I've had this work (along with a few other in a series) pinned onto one of my Pinterest boards for a while and it is worth sharing! Monster Riot is a collaborative duo, Catherine and Jason, who started working together in 2010. I love how Monster Riot created such a fun pirate character. I love the detailing in the beard and the subtle textures used in the clothes and hat to make it look like it was printed. Please check out Monster Riot's Society 6 shop where you can find the rest in this series along with a lot of other really fun designs!
You can check out my Pinterest Board "Boys Print and Pattern Inspiration" for more inspiration for the boys' market. I often have a hard time thinking up topics when designing for boys so I like to refer to my board for ideas from time to time. Something as simple as a fish or a masked animal can spur an idea like a masked superhero fish (or something like that).
I'd also like to share with you a design I did a while back for a Make Art That Sells Bootcamp session. I had a lot of fun playing with textures, color and illustrating the characters for these designs.
I liked my ships in bottles and whales so much, I created a pattern with them and they are available on my Spoonflower shop.
RELATED POST:
Want to catch up with my previous Net Picks posts? Click the image to go to an archive all of my past posts:
©: please note that the written comments and opinions are my own and not paid or solicited. The art is copyrighted to their original creators (which you can reach by the links provided).