Research on Editorial illustrator Tim Marrs

1. Tim Marrs
Matt Compton and Rebecca Meredith

2. Background history
Foundation course/Arts Diploma 1990-1991
BA Hons Degree in Graphic Design/Illustration 1991-1994
Masters Degree in Design Communication 1996-1999

3. Clients
Nike Asia Amare
This collage type advertising
works well for ‘Nike’ as the
brand itself is very well
known. Their advertising
doesn’t need to make the
brand image the top of the
advertising hierarchy. The
artwork focuses mainly on
the sport and use of the
product.

4. Bentley
This artwork is bold and vibrant from the use of bright colours. The car is placed in the
centre to draw the eye to the point of advertisement. Layered imagery and textures
are behind the Bentley to help it stand out.

5. This artwork features photography,
illustration, graphic elements and
textures layered to create a collage.
The colours used are shades of green
as well as blue and yellow which
makes an analogous colour scheme.
The hierarchy of the elements draws
the eye to the mermaids at first due
to their dark colouring and the tail
extends the group of elements in the
centre.
The text used is small and
handwritten which does not impact
the viewer instantly. This makes the
viewer study the image for the
message being portrayed.
The man and women are edited
photographs. The leaves and
mermaid’s tails appear to be digitally
drawn or hand printed. The other
elements including the sun, cloud and
text banner are digitally created. The
background seems to be a scanned in
piece of paper. Rebecca

6. This is a piece of artwork created by Tim Marrs. The
artwork is based on evolution and the development
of the electric car. Marrs has used the iconic ape to
human theory to complete this piece. Using the
facial features and shape of an ape, Marrs have
created that from plugs, wires and electricity. The
aim of the piece is to create an image of a vision of
the future among the visions of the past. The image
uses vibrant colours to create the hierarchy of the
artwork. The brighter orange colour is the main
focus of the piece as it describes electricity, but the
image unfolds when you see the background
details. The piece is very abstract and take some
imagination to picture the story around the
artwork. Tim Marrs has used many different tools in
this piece such as brush effects and layering. The
text in this image is very subtle but yet it still
manages to complete the piece.

7. Techniques
- Digital collage using drawings, manipulated/abstract photographs, mark
making, print and textures
- Bold and wide colour palettes
- Abstract scenes – lack of scale and sometimes
perspective from layered imagery

8. Inspirations
Christian Northeast Clayton Brothers David Hughes
Bold colour to reflect the fun
element of the design.
Abstracted imagery.
Sketchy outline with a wide
range of colours. Layered
images.
Sketchy outline. Soft pastel,
limited colour palette. Realistic
imagery but altered to give a
quirky look.

9. Influences
American Pop Culture Polish film posters Pop Art
Bold, vibrant colours. Abstract, bold, with a
humorous element.
Bold with solid colours and
magazine styled pop art.