collective dialogues #3 | Seb Agresti, Illustrator

collective minds
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

We met Seb at the NRC terrace in Rotterdam. We wanted to try understanding his genius. That’s at least what he told us when we arrived. That is: we were interviewing him to understand his genius. Maybe he was right.

You are coming up with some rad illustrations, how would you define your style?

Style is a bitch. It is too important nowadays. I am more about the idea behind it.

I understand, but you have a recognisable identity, don’t you think?

Well, I guess. I think my illustrations reflect my boundaries, what I know I can, and what I can not do. In art school I could not paint well or draw details, so I slowly realised I could simplify what I was seeing. I guess my ‘style’ comes from these limitations.

I saw on your website that you are only selling two of your original works, how come?

That’s a good one! I have actually never sold one. Selling originals online is quite hard, people want to see the drawings in real life before purchasing them.. I have too add, that for a long time I was using low quality paper. Eventually I work mainly with digital: it is an easy way to see if the combination of colours work well…But I should definitely go back to the traditional way.

You also work on a commission base, how is your process to handle the relationship with your clients?

I am quite strict concerning who I work with. I want clients to be exited with their projects and I need them to trust me. In this sense, I’d rather work with ‘smaller’ clients and build a strong portfolio for myself, than bigger ones. When I work on a commission base, I always make sure that everything has been agreed upon on forehand. I do not want to come back on things, because the client is changing his mind. But hey, you have to make mistakes and it was not always this way for me.

Do you have a good life hack for us?

Write down who you want to work with and where you want to work. Also, if you get two of the following: money, fun and exposure, go for it!

3 of your current favourite artists

Picasso, Murakami, H.C.Westermann

Your daily feed of inspiration?

Netflix

A current book or serie?

100 years of solitude

One tip about Rotterdam?

Nachtsmid, a design studio/coffee place.

)