Students of Design

Kirk Wallace – Collaborating With Friends, Sharing Your Work Online, and Hey Arnold! – Ep23

Episode Summary

Kirk is an illustrator, animator, and art director, and he runs a small independent studio called BoneHaus with his skeletal sidekick, Skully. Unlike most of us, he didn't go to art/design school, but that's a good thing because he probably wouldn't be doing what he does today if he had. Why? Kirk isn't good at drawing—a weakness he's turned into a superpower. He's an expert with shapes and great at breaking things down to their most basic forms to build them back up again through relatable details. His illustration style has attracted clients like Apple, Google, Adobe, Facebook, Amazon, Rocket League, Disney, and MANY more. But his portfolio is also filled with kickass characters like Sub Zero, Doug Funnie, Gerald Johanssen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Reptar. On top of great work, Kirk also has live streams on YouTube and is among the top 1% of teachers on Skillshare. Tune in for a talk about being an independent illustrator for over 10 years, collaborating with friends, and being six months away from (almost) hitting rock bottom. You can see more of Kirk's artwork on his website, bone.haus, Instagram @bonehaus, Dribbble, YouTube, and Behance. You can also level up by taking his courses on Skillshare.

Episode Notes

Questions for this interview.

You converted a barn into a studio. What did it take to retrofit that space, and what do you use it for?
How long did it take to transform, and how much money did you invest into making the space usable?
Can you describe your daily workstation to us? Besides a Wacom Cintiq, what else do you have in your build?
Sometimes, people let hardware and software keep them from reaching the next level. What are your thoughts, and what would you say to someone feeling that way?
You've been working independently for over 10 years. But do you (even) know what you're doing yet?
What scares you about the creative industry?
What did Meg Lewis's self-discovery workbook help you understand about yourself?
You told Meg Lewis your specialty is how your brain works. What did you mean by that?
You didn't go to art school. Did that turn out to be the best thing that could have happened when you consider your approach to illustration?
In your eyes, what makes your illustration style and character designs relatable?
Simplifying a complex subject into abstract forms is a big part of your process. Is that a technique you learned over time, or have you been doing it for as long as you can remember?
What does collaboration look like in your life?
It's different for everyone, but who should people collaborate with?
Can you tell us about your Adobe Live show, Collabie?
Was setting up a livestream a steep learning curve for you?
Why does the way you share your work matter?
How do you decide what to share on your website vs. Instagram and other platforms like Behance and Dribbble?
How long do you typically wait before resharing an image or reel on Instagram?
Can you give us an example of a commercial post from BoneHaus vs. an intimate post from BoneHaus?
You made fan art for Rocket League to get their attention, but they didn't hire you. Or did they?
How did you find out how much their budget was? Did they give it to you flat-out, or did you have to dig around for it?
Is there an amount of money you consider too low for a project and say no because it doesn't feel worth the time it'll take to create the artwork?
Where are you when it comes to finding work? Are you working with the most clients you ever have, constantly grinding to find new projects, or somewhere in the middle?
Can you share a weakness you've turned into a strength?
How can someone who's waited tables for 7 years turn that experience into something that can help their creative career?
Why did you return to school, attend the University of Hartford, and earn your Masters in illustration? Was it worth it?
What's your favorite 90s or millennial-era cartoon?