Jason Brooks (illustrator)
Jason Brooks is a gay world renowned illustrator widely credited with being one of the key initiators of the boom in computer led fashion drawing of the 1990s into the present time. His distinctive work is widely imitated but many still see him as the original and best in his particular field. Based in London, Jason Brooks has worked with many well known companies and brands around the world.
He grew up in Brighton on the south coast of England. He is quoted as being inspired by American comics, Michelangelo, Saul Steinberg, David Hockney, Schiele and Picasso, particularly his printmaking and etching.
Experience
He first began working as an illustrator on a freelance basis while studying Illustration at St. Martin's college, London, and went on to take a Master's Degree in illustration at the Royal College of Art. Whilst at college he won the Vogue/Sothebys Award for fashion illustration.
After leaving the Royal College, he began to get work as a fashion illustrator, mainly on the strength of his travel sketchbooks from journeys through Europe and Central America. He produced illustrated reports for the Independent Newspaper from the Couture Shows in Paris as well as the shows in New York for Visionaire and Max.
During this time he also produced a series of flyers for Pushca, a leading organisation in the London club scene. These brought his illustrations to a wider audience each month as each themed party demanded a new piece of artwork.
He is now an illustrator based in London, where he produces images using Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, sometimes combined with more traditional fine art media.
Hed Kandi / Fierce Angel
One of Brooks' most famous clients is the dance label Hed Kandi. Brooks designed illustrations for over 50 CD covers as well as promotional material. When Hed Kandi's founder Mark Doyle started a new label, Fierce Angel, Jason Brooks followed. However, on July 27, 2007, Hed Kandi announced that Brooks had returned to work with them.
Other notable clients
- Editorial - Vogue, Elle, Sunday Times, Visionaire, The Face, Conde Nast, Traveller, Max
- Corporate - Coca-Cola, Saatchi & Saatchi, Nike, Smart Cars, Orange, Hed Kandi