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Professional illustrators are used to briefs, boundaries and objectives. Bound by the brief they create works that are partly theirs but in many ways mostly the corporations. Triiikes' three members are all from this commercial art discipline, and are equally successful in their own right. They have each been carving out their place in the corporate world of art, creating commissioned works – in their own distinct style - for the likes of McDonalds, Sony, Vodafone, Mambo, Mars, Flightpath & BRW from their studios here Ballarat.
But what’s the result when you put three commercial artists in a room, and you take away the brief, the boundaries and the client?
Triiikes’ “Tag-team” method of illustration (whether it be digitally or manually) takes the work in unexpected directions, creating art that could not possibly have been anticipated. The three distinct styles of each artist can be recognised in the works, but somehow blend seamlessly, the collaborative results of which are uniquely “Triiike”.
At the core of Triiike is Sam, Trav & Ben… |
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Home-grown Ballarat boy, Sam, has spent the last decade deviously spreading his own brand of “happy” illustration, across the country. Designer and illustrator by profession, Sam has operated his own firm since graduating from the University of Ballarat’s Design / Multimedia department. Fittingly, he has returned to Uni as a sessional lecturer, mentoring the next generation of potential designers and illustrators. Sam also conducts creative illustration workshops for kids and teens.
The seed of Triiike was first planted in Sam in 2007, actively spreading the idea of collaboration between illustrators, and instigating the first digital collaborations that would later become know as “Triiike”.
In his ever decreasing spare time, Sam writes music, plays several instruments and cuts his own hair! |
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Karate white belt champion, Trav Price, grew up in Dimboola, where he developed an unhealthy fascination with skateboard, graffiti and surfwear illustration.
After graduating from the University of Ballarat with a design / multimedia degree, he started work with a studio down in the big smoke. In 2000 he moved back to Ballarat to commute. To pass the time, he started sketching and refining his ideas in journals, and experimenting with styles. After filling countless pages Travis started submitting work to clothing labels for consideration. Over the last ten years he has created commissioned works for numerous labels and design agencies, culminating in him speaking at the 2007 AGIdeas Design Conference to an auditorium of over two thousand people.
On top of all this, and his Triiike responsibilities, Travis is also a sessional lecturer at the University of Ballarat. |
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Ben was an early starter, making his own cut lunch by the age of 31 and landing his first paid international illustration gig with a publishing house at age 12. Since the early days, he has graduated from Ballarat Uni with an all-important piece of paper and completed the grueling Australasian Writers and Art Directors (AWARD) School. His illustrations have been published in children's books and magazines, on posters, stickers and in advertisements across just about all media. Much of his work is a unique approach to the commercial art styling of the 1940's and 50's. Some would say he is well and truly stuck in those times.
Triiike has been a welcome outlet for creativity for Ben as well as the opportunity to be closely influenced by other artists’ methods and styles. |
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