Finding Purpose and Bringing it Into Your Work as an Illustrator

Illustration is more than just aesthetics. Having purpose can be paramount in communicating your personal voice and provide motivation within your practice. This can particularly come through in personal work and through social media. Positivity and humour are laced in everything I do. I always try to put a positive spin on life through my work. We live in troubling times so my purpose here is to serve up a bit of creative hope to followers. Even with my professional commissions I position myself as giving clients a "creative lift”. This idea aims to give clients a positive boost through the creative work I deliver. My purpose is clear here, and I do it through illustration. It drives me first and foremost in everything I do. Perhaps that’s what you need to find for your own creative journey?

What does purpose mean for me as an illustrator?

For me, purpose means not just making pretty things, but also communicating something true to you. Ask yourself, what do you want your work to say in the world? For Example… your purpose might be that you want to inspire others, make people feel or laugh about something going on in your life or in the world. You might be passionate about advocating for causes like mental health, politics or celebrating a particular culture or identity. Whatever it is, just make sure it’s true to you. I have an innate need to create something positive and to make people smile. Whether that’s through cartoony and humorous pieces of work, or through positive affirmations and storytelling.

How to discover your purpose

Personally, I never really sat down and made a list to discover my purpose. It just kind of evolved through various life experiences. This has mainly been through my mental health journey and wanting to put something positive out in the world. 

To discover your purpose I would first look at your influences in life. Not necessarily creative influences but the type that’s moulded you in life and what themes naturally keep recurring in your personal life. Secondly, look at your favourite personal and commission work. Think about where they tied in with your values and who you are as a person. After this, try to bring it all together and ask yourself, What do I want my work to say? This might sound a bit tricky but if you start from your own personal view and standpoint on a subject then it will make things easier. Remember, your unique view of the world is your super power. Just be honest with yourself and try to create from the heart. The work you produce then will mean more to you and then in turn resonate more with your audience.

Embrace Purpose

Sometimes purpose is found in the moment, where a life changing event hits you squarely in the jaw with a cracking left hook. A lot of the time though you have to dig deep and experience a few things to find out who you really are. Embrace it though, however it comes and put it in your work. There, true connection with yourself and others will follow. As you evolve and as the world evolves your purpose might change. Embrace it all I say.

Thanks for reading

Pete :)