Using a wonderful range of colour and movement, Gina Shord creates beautiful work ranging from character design to children's illustrations.
Gina Shord is a super talented illustrator living in London. She focuses a lot on children's books, hand lettering and greetings cards. We were initially attracted to her work from her adorable animal illustrations, and her attention to detail.
Gina's work is wonderfully textured, with great composition. Her use of bright colours adds a playfulness as well.
We also LOVE her character designs!
So what did Gina create for us?
Gina has designed an amazing badge pack, not only are the badges adorable, the the packaging image is GREAT. It also incorporates all of our favourite colours.
1. What's your favourite fictitious Ghost from popular media?
The ghosts from the Funny bones book Ghost train. They seem unfriendly but when the skeletons get to know them a little they realise they are fun and friendly. On one page there are many ghosts in a ghost town by the sea. They look so cute eating their candy floss!
2. What's the best item in your pencil case?
For sure my Posca paint pens! When I want a little break from working digitally I love drawing with paint pens because they are so vibrant and create such a smooth block colour.
3. Paint? Pencil? Or Tablet?
As much as I love paint and pencil I’m going to have to say tablet. I love my tablet so much, I sometimes even find myself calling it my baby! Haha
But honestly I save so much time working digitally compared to when I used to paint.
4. What's your go-to motivational album?
As much as I wanted to seem cool and say one of my more alternative bands, I’m going to have to say Lady Gaga’s album Born This Way. It gets me pumped up and ready to kick some serous butt!
5. How would you describe your work? Are there any common themes?
Friendly, approachable and a little goofy. My illustrations contain lots of characters, which I try to express some of my quirkier qualities through whether it be my awkwardness, my super positive side or my silly sense of humour. I like to make things light hearted and fun.
6. What's your proudest piece that you've worked on?
Ooo that’s a tough one! Maybe my self initiated Reptile book for kids called Learning, Activities and Reptiles. It’s a non-fiction illustrated book about reptiles which encourages children to learn while they are playing games. I’ve been working on this book for just over a year and it is nearly finished, I am very excited to self publish it as I feel there is a lack in illustrated non fiction children’s books.
7. Do you have any/many artist rituals?
I like to get stuck into my favourite pod cast Creative Pep Talk it gets me into the creative flow and start really thinking about all aspects of my work.
8. What motivates you?
I love improving my craft and challenging myself. This gives me pride in what I am doing and makes me happy. The sense of accomplishment and fulfilment I get seeing my work progress, and thinking of how I can continue that progression is a constant motivator for me.
And of course, who wouldn’t want to make a living doing something they love!?
9. What do you do, that you think no one else does whilst working?
Randomly bursting into song, which I am not even playing. Usually I will just repeat the same line as that would be all I had popping in my head.
10. Who are you inspired by?
Ooo Jim field, Oliver Jeffers, Mathew the horse, Steve Simpson and so many more!
11. What's your favourite way to practice self care? (Especially after a busy week)
When I really need to unwind and practice self care, I like to take a hot bath with either my favourite program playing or relaxing whale noises, honestly. It makes me feel great!
The ghosts from the Funny bones book Ghost train. They seem unfriendly but when the skeletons get to know them a little they realise they are fun and friendly. On one page there are many ghosts in a ghost town by the sea. They look so cute eating their candy floss!
2. What's the best item in your pencil case?
For sure my Posca paint pens! When I want a little break from working digitally I love drawing with paint pens because they are so vibrant and create such a smooth block colour.
3. Paint? Pencil? Or Tablet?
As much as I love paint and pencil I’m going to have to say tablet. I love my tablet so much, I sometimes even find myself calling it my baby! Haha
But honestly I save so much time working digitally compared to when I used to paint.
4. What's your go-to motivational album?
As much as I wanted to seem cool and say one of my more alternative bands, I’m going to have to say Lady Gaga’s album Born This Way. It gets me pumped up and ready to kick some serous butt!
5. How would you describe your work? Are there any common themes?
Friendly, approachable and a little goofy. My illustrations contain lots of characters, which I try to express some of my quirkier qualities through whether it be my awkwardness, my super positive side or my silly sense of humour. I like to make things light hearted and fun.
6. What's your proudest piece that you've worked on?
Ooo that’s a tough one! Maybe my self initiated Reptile book for kids called Learning, Activities and Reptiles. It’s a non-fiction illustrated book about reptiles which encourages children to learn while they are playing games. I’ve been working on this book for just over a year and it is nearly finished, I am very excited to self publish it as I feel there is a lack in illustrated non fiction children’s books.
7. Do you have any/many artist rituals?
I like to get stuck into my favourite pod cast Creative Pep Talk it gets me into the creative flow and start really thinking about all aspects of my work.
8. What motivates you?
I love improving my craft and challenging myself. This gives me pride in what I am doing and makes me happy. The sense of accomplishment and fulfilment I get seeing my work progress, and thinking of how I can continue that progression is a constant motivator for me.
And of course, who wouldn’t want to make a living doing something they love!?
9. What do you do, that you think no one else does whilst working?
Randomly bursting into song, which I am not even playing. Usually I will just repeat the same line as that would be all I had popping in my head.
10. Who are you inspired by?
Ooo Jim field, Oliver Jeffers, Mathew the horse, Steve Simpson and so many more!
11. What's your favourite way to practice self care? (Especially after a busy week)
When I really need to unwind and practice self care, I like to take a hot bath with either my favourite program playing or relaxing whale noises, honestly. It makes me feel great!
2 comments
Since Truro college I’ve been a fan of your work. I’ve always found it happy and colourful and very soothing. Keep doing what you are doing, because you will go places and go far.
Love your work Gina, and love you! Keep it up x