Illustrator launches first Twitterpicture work
Aberdeen-based Illustrator, Johanna Basford has created #TwitterPicture, the first interactive illustration created using micro blogging platform, Twitter.
Over a 48 hour period, Basford invited the online audience to contribute ideas in 140 characters or less, which she then incorporated into a rambling pen and ink illustration. With a pledge to feature every Tweeted suggestion sent to her (238 in total), the resultant artwork is an intricate, inky snap shot of Twitter imaginations.
The live creative process was captured in a series of photographs posted on Basford’s Twitter page which charted the evolution of the artwork from blank sheet of paper to sprawling finished piece.
#Twitterpicture invited the audience to be part of the creative process and demanded the illustrator relinquish creative control. The two-way conversation between illustrator and participants, crafted not only a final illustration, but also a unique user experience.
The project highlighted the versatility of social networking and online to media to engage with an audience, encourage mass participation and investigate new platforms for co-creation.
Johanna Basford said: “I wanted to explore the use of Twitter as a tool for developing new and exciting working methods. Offsetting my very traditional, hand drawn approach to illustration by centring the project around a social media platform, forced me to consider new ways of working, creating and communicating.”
A limited edition of 100 #TwitterPictures will be silk screen printed and sold by Basford via her blog, http://www.johannabasford.com/blog.