Picture Perfect: Fusions of Illustration and Design - Ian Noble - 2003
Interview with Lawrence Zeegen, Brighton, UK

Could you tell me about your approach to illustration and design?

I approach illustration as an image-maker to get around the fact that I can't draw well. I employ ideas and processes that fit the solution and aim to subvert the message while employing a sense or irony and wit to the final execution. I make images because I like graphic communication and not because I like illustration. Most illustration is dreadful rubbish, very little is excellent. The fact that it's cool at the moment is fine if the standards rise.

How do you go about producing your images?

I try to bring a knowledge and understanding of print processes to the creation of my work. I build up images with colour in a similar way to how I used screen-print processes a few years ago. As part of my working method I use found images, drawn images, digital kit, and a black magic marker, and work anywhere on a G4 Powerbook plugging into large screens, using Airport and carrying around a light, flat USB-powered scanner. I've been doing this thing called illustration since graduating from college in the late 1980s and see no reason to stop now…

Zeegen's work has a particular graphic style: images, flat colour, and typography are built up using a combination of drawing, scanning and software packages such as Photoshop.