Timeout with Iris Atalay

Timeouts are lightning-quick interviews. Five questions to help you get to know the players holding court at Dribbble. Many thanks to Iris for being today’s interviewee.

Who are you? Let us know where you hail from and what you do.

I am Iris Eda Atalay, 26 year old visual designer. I was born in the lovely city of Istanbul, Turkey and travelled all over Europe. I lived in Porto, Portugal for years. I actually studied fashion design in college, and used to work for companies like DIESEL, ZARA, and Desigual as an illustrator, but I ended up as a visual designer! 

I must say, joining Dribbble changed my life (in a good way). I get feedback from awesome and amazingly talented people all over the world, and I get to give feedback in return. It’s really great.

What are you working on?

Right now I am contracting with a startup called Colingo and being awesome! I am redesigning their product. It’s a lot of fun to be a part of a great team.

Choose a favorite shot of yours. Tell us why it’s a favorite.

My favorite one is Creamp3. Before that project, I hadn’t had the chance to design an iPhone app, but after I posted that shot, I got a lot of good feedback, work requests, and contacts for new projects!

Tell us about your setup. What tools did you use to create the shot(s)? (e.g. hardware, software, pens, paper, blowtorch, etc.)

This is my current set up! I always have my Moleskine & some Sharpies in front of me for sketching and doodling. I have a 15-inch MacBook Pro hooked up to a generic HP monitor.

My Moleskine and mice (Magic Mouse for work, Razer Mouse for gaming, I do play SC and WOW [no life] ) are tools I can’t live without.

I mostly use Photoshop but lately I am trying to use Sketch app.

Oh, also I got one of those Dot Grid Book for wireframing! Love it! I use it for random sketching too.

I also wanted to add my favorite helper’s photo! This is Becker. He is 2 years old and always sits next to me :)

Choose a favorite shot from another player. Tell us why you dig it.

Oh I have a ton of favorite shots! I love this one a lot by Kerem Suer. It is creative, unique, simple and beautiful. Whenever I see his work I get inspired. He is one of the best!

Gameplan Journals and Memos + Jon Contino Tee

Sam has been working hard on getting our Equipment shop revamped, and fine-tuned. Along with that, we have some awesome new products to announce. 

We’ve been collaborating with the fine folks at Bound to create Gameplan™ vegan leather journals and pocket memo books. These are 100% American-made in North Carolina, using recycled, acid-free paper. They’re gorgeous, and we hope you’ll love filling them up with your next big project.

Also, remember the amazing vintage basketball tee that Jon Contino designed for us and United Pixelworkers? Well, we loved it so much, we’ve given it a new home at our shop. Pick up one or three.

And lastly, by popular demand we’re now offering Dribbble sticker packs. Six assorted stickers in a custom envelope, printed by our friends at Sticker Mule.

Now go forth and shop!

Dribbble Team Meetup Recap

Last night, around 50 local Dribbblers came to our headquarters here in Salem, MA for beer, pizza, and chatting with fellow creative folks. It was a great success, and we’d like to thank our sponsor, Shopify, for helping us make the night a great one.

It was the first time we organized an “analog playoff”, where attendees sketched, in paper and pencil, a 4 × 3 drawing based on a theme (in this case “shop”). We hung the entries on the wall and handed out pink heart stickers for everyone to “like” their favorites. It was a heck of a lot of fun, and we’ll definitely be doing that again at future events. Stay tuned!

Evolving Our Community Guidelines

We’ve just updated our Terms of Service and Player’s Handbook with new rules and guidelines as to what constitutes appropriate content at Dribbble.

Historically, Dribbble has been a relatively open publishing platform. It’s self-organizing in the sense that members can create their own community by following (and blocking) other members as they see fit. For the most part, we’ve tried to stay out of the business of deciding what content is and is not appropriate by crowdsourcing this responsibility. This model appears to works well for services like Twitter and Facebook; combined with our small population and invitation system, we believed it was working well for us.

That self-organizing nature is likely here to stay, but recent events shifted our thinking about community and our role in managing it. We better understand that:

1. There is much stronger sentiment of Dribbble as a single community versus separate, sub-communities (a la Twitter, Facebook), and thus we have more responsibility to provide guidelines for Dribbble as a whole.
   
2. Some people have expressed that they do not feel welcome or comfortable at Dribbble due to the nature of some of our content and comments. And we hate this.

Today, we’ve made changes to our Handbook to clarify what types of content are inappropriate to post on Dribbble, in order to make it a more welcoming and inclusive community for designers and fans of all ages. Specifically, we’re going to be more aggressive in removing content that doesn’t meet these new guidelines. We can’t guarantee we’ll catch every inappropriate shot or comment that’s posted, but we think expectations are now much clearer and more conducive to fostering community.

It’s important to point out that inappropriate content has been a small fraction of what’s posted. The vast majority of work shared is inspiring and the reason for Dribbble’s success.

Adding manual and automated mechanisms to better enforce our guidelines will be an ongoing process. It won’t happen overnight, so we ask for your patience as we continue our efforts to grow gracefully.

Thank you yet again, Dribbblers, for creating such a special place. We’re trying hard to keep it that way.

Timeout with Brian Hurst

Timeouts are lightning-quick interviews. Five questions to help you get to know the players holding court at Dribbble. Many thanks to Brian for being today’s interviewee.

Who are you? Let us know where you hail from and what you do.

I’m Brian, a 29 year old designer and illustrator. Born and raised in Orange County, CA and currently living in Irvine with my wife of 1.4 years. I spend my days designing for Mariners Church, and my nights doing freelance and self-initiated projects under the moniker The Quiet Society.

What are you working on?

Lots of stuff, but the project I’m currently most excited about is a self-initiated children’s picture book I’m writing that will involve a lot fun illustrations of cities and stuff. Look for some dribbble shots early 2013.

Choose a favorite shot of yours. Tell us why it’s a favorite.

This started life as a little scratch paper sketch. Probably during a meeting or something. I liked it enough to keep sketching it over and over and turn it into this.

Tell us about your setup. What tools did you use to create the shot(s)? (e.g. hardware, software, pens, paper, blowtorch, etc.)

At home my set up includes a Macbook Pro that’s probably running on borrowed time. I spend most of my time in Adobe Illustrator. Other tools include Rhodia notebooks, scratch paper, G2 Gel Pens (.38mm), Ticonderoga pencils, india ink and nibs, the occasional paint brush (for textures) and Canon scanner. Vintage desk lamp found in mother-in-law’s garage.

Choose a favorite shot from another player. Tell us why you dig it.

I really like just about every shot I’ve seen from Levi McGranahan. The building shapes on this are delightfully odd. Plus the texture, colors and misregistered print look is spot on.

Timeout with Jack Hughes

Timeouts are lightning-quick interviews. Five questions to help you get to know the players holding court at Dribbble. Many thanks to Jack for being today’s interviewee.

Who are you? Let us know where you hail from and what you do.

Hello! My name is Jack Hughes and I’m a (more or less) recent graduate from Kingston University London. I live in South London and was born here! I’m an illustrator, full time and freelancing. Thankfully I have not one but two agencies representing me, YCN in the UK and Agent Pekka Europe, which is nice.

What are you working on?

I’m the illustrator for Mr Hyde, the daily email service from ShortList, London’s largest circulated men’s lifestyle magazine. Mr Hyde aims to bring exactly that to an email, with features on where to eat meat in and around London, films to watch, gadgets to buy, galleries to visit, clothes to try etc. My illustrations have been a large part of the overall branding and each email features at least three. It’s been a nice on-going project that will see me working on into 2013 and perhaps beyond!

Choose a favorite shot of yours. Tell us why it’s a favorite.

Although it’s a relatively old shot it definitely evokes a happy time. The Gentleman’s Guide to Cocktails was a career changing experience; a giant learning curve that I am forever grateful of. It was an awfully long project (around 4 months) but for the most part was largely enjoyable; I even got to work with an ex-tutor and good friend who was commissioned as the designer and art director.

Receiving it in the post with all my illustrations bundled up and packaged within a tidy, well designed book was so incredibly invigorating. Naturally I threw a cocktail party to celebrate, it wouldn’t be a total success unless I got disgustingly drunk, which I totally, totally did.

Tell us about your setup. What tools did you use to create the shot(s)? (e.g. hardware, software, pens, paper, blowtorch, etc.)

Tools aren’t very varied; all I need is a sketchbook, a pencil, reference material and Photoshop. The type of illustration will govern how I start; if it’s a fashion illustration I’ll start in Photoshop, if it’s something more conceptual I’ll start in my sketchbook. Suppose I’m quite fortunate that I require so little space, as a result though I’m currently crammed into the prison cell-esque spare bedroom whilst my real bedroom is undergoing a makeover; depressingly it’s only half finished.

Choose a favorite shot from another player. Tell us why you dig it.

Choosing just one turned out to be a lot more difficult than I thought it would, had to make a little shortlist, but managed to whittle it down to one. Wedding Cocktails by Jacob Etter, I’m an absolute sucker for simplicity, clever conceptual design, great colours and cocktails too!

Timeout with Shaw Nielsen

Timeouts are lightning-quick interviews. Five questions to help you get to know the players holding court at Dribbble. Many thanks to Shaw for being today’s interviewee.

Who are you? Let us know where you hail from and what you do.

I am a pretty snazzy illustrator with a knack for coming up with quirky solutions. I started off studying in San Francisco at the Academy of Art and eventually made my way back home to Denver, where I grew up. My work has been featured in Communication Arts, 3x3 magazine, on the cover of HOW Magazine, honored by the Alliance of Illustrators, and the Art Directors Club. It also still makes it on my mother’s fridge from time to time. The fact that I’m snazzy is not news to her.

What are you working on?

Oodles of things! I have a few editorial projects floating around right now, as well as some larger projects. Probably the biggest project I’m working on right now is some hall-o-ween displays for a large grocery store chain here in the US.

Choose a favorite shot of yours. Tell us why it’s a favorite.

On a professional level, my favorite shot so far has to be my shot of the cover I did for ‘How Magazine.’ HOW Mag is definitely at the forefront of design, so it truly was an honor to be asked to contribute.

On a personal level, this one takes the cake currently because I enjoy bringing a bit of sunshine into peoples lives, instead of the doom and gloom that can so easily fill up our days if we let it.

Tell us about your setup. What tools did you use to create the shot(s)? (e.g. hardware, software, pens, paper, blowtorch, etc.)

I always start off a project with oodles of doodling. It’s my favorite part of any project because the options are just so infinite at this point. So a sketchbook is always at the heart of my process. I burn through 2 or 3 of them in a month. I usually jump to the computer once the idea has been settled on and just start with a blank art board in Adobe Illustrator, referencing my sketch as I draw with my mouse. Next I’ll take my vector art into Adobe Photoshop and apply textures and tweak the illustration a bit to really bring the piece to life.

Though, on a philosophical level, taking a step back to drink a cold beer or to play fetch with my pup, is as much a part of my process as my pencil or computer. I just don’t think I could do the work I do without being happy and grounded by reminders of why I love living.

Choose a favorite shot from another player. Tell us why you dig it.

Today my favorite shot is this amazing piece of portraiture by Richard Perez. Though, if you asked me tomorrow I’d have a different favorite. Dribbble is such a great source of inspiration.

Timeout with Virginia Poltrack

Timeouts are lightning-quick interviews. Five questions to help you get to know the players holding court at Dribbble. Many thanks to Virginia for being today’s interviewee.

Who are you? Let us know where you hail from and what you do.

Hi! My name is Virginia. I’m from Johnstown, PA which is a small town east of Pittsburgh. I have been drawing my whole life, and it’s something I’ve always loved. At night, at lunch, and pretty much any other free moment, I am drawing something, or planning what I’ll draw next.

What are you working on?

Right now, I’m working my way through some sketchbook drawings of the Star Wars characters. I am a huge Star Wars nerd! I try to draw something everyday, even if its just a quick sketch at lunch. My husband always says that my sketchbook is like my “security blanket” because I take it EVERYWHERE, and that’s very true. I just do my little drawings in my books. I go through a lot of sketchbooks!

Choose a favorite shot of yours. Tell us why it’s a favorite.

favorite shot of mine would probably be my Han Solo sketch, just because I think that is a perfect example of my drawings.

Tell us about your setup. What tools did you use to create the shot(s)? (e.g. hardware, software, pens, paper, blowtorch, etc.)

This will be probably the least technical workspace shot ever in the history of Dribbble, but that’s okay! It’s what I use! My tools include Micron pens, .005 and .01, HB through 6B lead, all kinds of paper, Copic markers, smudge sticks, erasers, glue, and an exacto knife. That’s for sketching, for work I use the Adobe Creative Suite, like Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Illustrator and Photoshop.

Choose a favorite shot from another player. Tell us why you dig it.

A favorite shot of mine…..lets see…well there are SO MANY talented people here, like Dave Mottram, Nick Slater, Troy Cummings, the list goes on. But a personal favorite is dog tag by Jolly Bureau. 

Those guys are just amazing, and that is actually a painting of my little dachshund Sookie that they did for me. They are the sweetest, kindest people ever, and their work is just fantastic. That’s one of the reasons I love Dribbble, I have met the most amazing people through it. People that are always willing to offer advice, or to help, to offer support, you name it. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of this. I really do.

Top 24 Dribbble Shots of 2012

It’s been a great year here at Dribbble. The community has been growing steadily, we’ve added a few new members to the team, and as always you’ve been sharing some incredible work. Thank you for the continued support and Happy New Year to all the designers, illustrators, icon artists, letterers, typographers, and other creatives around the globe that make Dribbble a special place.

We’re excited about 2013, but until then, we thought it’d be fun to share the 24 most popular shots (in terms of likes received) in 2012. And here they are…

Timeout with Jeremy Holmes

Timeouts are lightning-quick interviews. Five questions to help you get to know the players holding court at Dribbble. Many thanks to Jeremy for being today’s interviewee.

Who are you? Let us know where you hail from and what you do.

My name is Jeremy Holmes (AKA “Sherlock, Home-Slice, Germy from Germany has Germs”). My family and I reside in the quaint little suburb of Philadelphia known as Glenside, PA (G-Side). I’m your run of the mill human who’s interests include storytelling, fatherhood and french fries. The majority of my day is spent searching for the perfect word or building the perfectly imperfect image that best tells a story (Children’s book author/illustrator). When I’m not building books for children, I’m changing their diapers, cooking them waffles and building their forts.

What are you working on?

Books, books and more books. I’m working on final art for a picture book titled “Poem-Mobiles,” by J. Patrick Lewis and Douglas Florian; sketches for book 2 of the “Templeton Twins,” by Ellis Weiner; final pencils for the chapter book “What I Found in the Sofa and How It Saved the World,” by Henry Clark.

Choose a favorite shot of yours. Tell us why it’s a favorite.

This shot is a snippet from a picture book that I’ve been working on for over 2 years titled “Poemobiles,” by J. Patrick Lewis and Douglas Florian. This project has challenged every creative cell in my body and I love it for that. It also marks my return to my favorite medium, the pencil.

Tell us about your setup. What tools did you use to create the shot(s)? (e.g. hardware, software, pens, paper, blowtorch, etc.)

To build an illustration for this book, I start with a tight (rather large) pencil drawing on vellum. From there, I scan in the drawing and begin adding color digitally (Photoshop). Once the color is in place, I create a few watercolor textures specific for the piece and digitally collage them onto the drawing. And that’s it x 100 hours.

Choose a favorite shot from another player. Tell us why you dig it.

Being a fan of all things odd and peculiar, this shot scratches my itch. If you haven’t checked out Caleb’s work, do so now… he’s one talented (slightly creepy) MoFo.