James White is a graphic designer born in 1977 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. As he had been interested in drawing from as young as 4 years old, it is only natural he’d take up a career utilising it. After graduating from high school, he attended a graphic design course in his hometown, which is where he was initially introduced to Photoshop and Illustrator, software he continues to use to this day. It was in 1998 when his professional design career kicked off, as he began cutting his teeth designing websites and print campaigns.
Due to James’ creative nature, he never stopped working on his own projects during his free time, which was what eventually led to the creation of Signalnoise Studio, where he compiles all his commissioned and self-directed art. After his personal projects began gaining recognition in the industry, James was invited to work with international brands such as Nike, Google, MTV and Toyota, amongst many others.
Superman, for the SUPER art show, James White, 2013.
Today I will be focusing my attention on the Superman poster James created for the SUPER art show at The Roost in Newcastle, Australia. It was the striking art style and vivid colours that initially drew me towards the poster. I was captivated by the way James had managed to create artwork that invoked a sense of nostalgia, since this poster wildly differs from the way in which Superman is represented today. In fact, James even explained that he wanted to recreate the Superman which he grew up adoring.
I knew straight away that I wanted to create a Superman poster that honoured MY Superman. The classic costume, bright colours, smile on his face. Proud. Not the strange version of Superman we have today with that weird costume, desaturated colours, leaking heat vision whenever he gets pissed off… I don’t even know who that guy is.No, I’ll be designing MY Superman which was a bigger challenge than I expected since he’s been my hero my entire life.– James White, on behance.com
Designed in Adobe Ideas, James White, 2013
I love that James chronicles his design method, showing us the steps he had to work through in order to get his art looking the best that it can. First he created the above image in Adobe Ideas on his iPad during the flight to Australia, and it ended up actually becoming the foundation for the pose and the palette used in the final pieces.
Sketches by James White, 2013
After this, he begins sketching his competition and playing with all the variables; poses, positioning, direction, etc, helping him discover what would work as a poster and what wouldn’t.
But in terms of superheroes, like Superman and Batman, things are more gritty and dark now. I think it’s unfortunate. There’s this push to make superheroes more real. To me, the reason they’re superheroes is because they’re not real. It’s all about fantasy and imagination. That’s the point.
– James White, interview with Adobe Inspire, 2013
I have been following James White’s artwork for a couple of years now, and with every piece of artwork he releases, my interest him in grows. I feel as though his work is a great inspiration to anybody hoping to break-out in the design scene.
http://blog.signalnoise.com/about/
https://www.behance.net/gallery/9840593/Superman-poster
http://www.adobe.com/inspire/2013/11/interview-james-white.html
Dareon Hanlon 