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Drawn Vol 1 - The best Illustrators Woldwide - Graphicsbyte

From Instagram to Print: The Story of My Feature in Drawn Vol 1

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How a personal illustration project, the "Sun Kraken," led to a two-page spread in a published art book.

Every creative professional needs a space to explore and push their boundaries outside of client work. For me, that space became a focused, year-long project to develop a new illustrative style specifically for apparel and accessories. I began sharing this journey and its results on Instagram, a departure from my usual feed of logo and web design projects. The response was immediate and energizing, cultivating a vibrant new audience and proving that this new direction had merit.

The power of hashtags connected my work with creative companies and enthusiasts, leading to the meteoric rise of one piece in particular. This design, which I call the “Sun Kraken,” was a fusion of three distinct drawings rendered with a minimalist color palette and a screen-print aesthetic. The style was intentional; I wanted to create something that felt both organic and graphic, perfect for screen printing on a t-shirt. The community agreed, and the design sparked an immediate demand for its application on clothing and other products.

Kraken Print Graphicsbyte Mark Boehly

The "Sun Kraken"

and the Call from Crooks Creative

In the world of social media, you never know who is watching. Within weeks of the “Sun Kraken” gaining traction, I received a message that would change my career’s trajectory. It was from Crooks Creative, a publisher with a mission to discover and showcase groundbreaking work from both emerging and established creatives. They had seen my work on Instagram and recognized the unique potential of my style, inviting me to submit designs for their most ambitious project to date.

The book was a curated, international collection of top-tier illustrative art titled Drawn: The Best Illustrators Worldwide. To be considered for inclusion was an honor; to be selected would be a game-changer. The opportunity to have my self-initiated passion project featured in a professionally published book was more than I could have hoped for.

A Published Milestone: My Feature in Drawn Vol 1

After submitting my portfolio, the waiting process began. The confirmation email that my work had been selected for Drawn Vol 1 was a monumental moment. December 2016 marked the official launch of my illustrative work into the publishing world, a milestone that validated the countless hours I had poured into developing this new style.

My inclusion in Drawn Vol 1 granted me a prominent two-page spread. This wasn’t just a small feature; it showcased three of my most recent pieces in high-resolution detail, alongside a personal biography and my social media and website links. The book’s physical arrival in May 2017 solidified the achievement. Holding a copy of Drawn Vol 1 and seeing my illustrations printed on the page alongside artists I admired was an incredible feeling.

This achievement was further cemented when the book was added to the collection at the prestigious Truax Gallery in West Linn, Oregon, where it is proudly displayed.

Drawn Vol 1 Crooks Press Graphicsbyte Mark Boehly
Mark Boehly Drawn Vol 1 Spread - Graphicsbyte

What This Means for Your Brand

This journey from a digital post to a published feature in Drawn Vol 1 is more than just a personal milestone; it’s a clear demonstration of the principles I bring to every client project at Graphicsbyte.

  • Strategic Creativity: The ability to develop a unique visual style that captures attention and resonates with a specific audience is the foundation of great branding.

  • Professional Execution: Meeting the high standards and deadlines of a publisher like Crooks Creative requires the same discipline and attention to detail that I provide for every logo design and website build.

  • Proven Recognition: Being selected for a curated publication like Drawn Vol 1 is a third-party endorsement of quality and creativity. It’s proof that the work I produce is not just effective, but also recognized as top-tier within the creative industry.

Whether it’s a custom illustration, a memorable logo, or a full brand identity, the same passion and strategic thinking that led to my feature in Drawn Vol 1 is infused into everything I create for my clients.

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