Batch 2 woven label by Hiller Goodspeed
For our second limited edition jacket, we worked with Vancouver based illustrator and librarian, Hiller Goodspeed to design our signature red label.
Hiller Goodspeed is one of our all time favourite illustrators. His work is packed with humour and child-like simplicity, if you don't feel something when you see his work, we're not sure you have feelings.
Everytime we work with a new illustrator, we give a very minimal brief. Normally, it's something like "This is where we're up to right now, how would you visualise this moment in your style?". Our brief to Hiller was no different. He took a look around our site, and within a day, he'd sent us these first rough sketches:
He sent a short description to add context to the sketches:
A:
"This one would represent both the figurative elements of your story / the literal pieces of Paynter jackets coming together to form a cohesive whole. A satisfying arrangement on both accounts."
B:
"An attempt at embodying the spirit of the kind of people who wear Paynter jackets, with the potential to be more playful. I'm generally imagining people engaged in an activity while wearing (or not wearing, if that's too forward) the jackets."
C:
"A variant of option B, a little more of a quiet and contemplative. Drawn with the phrase "less about jackets, more about people" in mind."
D:
"This one is about the moment of creation, when you pause and look at the thing you've made. Part admiration, part fascination with what you've accomplished. I drew a pyramid there but the "creation" could be an abstract or concrete representation."
We loved 'D' instantly. It's funny, full of energy, and exactly how we felt seeing Batch No.2 come to life.
We caught up with Hiller to find out more about his style, why he isn't a full time illustrator, and how he'll be styling his Navy Batch No.2 jacket when it arrives. Read on for more.
You have such a distinct illustrative style, where does it come from?
About ten years ago I started drawing more faces and adding a particular type of humor to my artwork. I enjoyed the art I was making and kept doing it, my style naturally developed from there.
Do you work full time as an illustrator?
No I'm not, I actually have a Masters in Library Studies and work at a couple different libraries around Vancouver, BC. I do illustration work between shifts at libraries which is actually a perfect combination for me. Not having to rely solely on my artwork to support myself removes some of the stress that often accompanies freelance work.
Ok, so who would be your dream 'client'?
Oh, I have so many! There are all different kinds of things I would like to do, with people who would like to do them with me. I enjoy civil projects and would like to work on a mural one day. Collaborative projects are always dreamy as well and I work on as many of those as I can. I generally enjoy working with smaller entities and am usually on the lookout for those opportunities.
We love the label you created for our Batch No.2 jacket, where did the idea for the character come from?
I spent a long time thinking about the feeling of creation and the moment when the thing that you have been working on is complete. When I think of the Paynter jacket I think of people doing things, who are perhaps impressed by what they are able to accomplish. The little buddy is marveling at their brand new creation, which I think is a feeling that is familiar to people who regularly embark on creative endeavors.
Which jacket will you be wearing, and how would you style a Paynter jacket?
I'll be going for the Navy blue moleskin chore jacket, from Batch No.2. I would keep it neat, maybe wear a pin or two near my left shoulder. Inevitably I would do have to do some repair work as most clothing I wear gets beat up rather quickly. I like mending clothing with coloured button thread and so there would probably be a couple of bits of colour added to the jacket after wearing it for a few years.