Daren Lin

  1. conceptual
  2. mural
  3. fashion
  4. bio
  5. work process
Daren Lin is an award-winning illustrator based in Orlando, Florida. His work is targeted at editorial and advertising markets.
Daren studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and received degrees in Fashion Illustration and General Illustration – disciplines that translate to his work in elegant, and bold illustrative concepts. Daren started his freelance illustration journey with Merck Pharmaceutical, illustrating a series of medical illustrations for the company. He then kick-started his illustration career with a collaborative storyboard campaign for AT&T’s TV commercials with Grey Advertising. Besides illustration, Daren also has a thriving business doing large-scale work and paints murals for local restaurants and businesses. He has had work accepted into the Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, 3×3 Illustration Annual, Applied Arts, etc.”
Awards

2016 Society of Illustrators Student Competition – Honorable Mention

2017 3×3 Illustration Annual 14 – Silver Award, Honorable Mention

2018 Applied Art – Honorable Mention

2019 Illustration West 57 – Bronze Award

2019 Communication Arts Illustration Annual 60 – Award of Excellence

2019 3×3 Illustration Annual 16 – Honorable Mention

2019 iJungle Illustration Award

2019 Applied Art Illustration Award

2020 Communication Arts Illustration Annual 61- Award of Excellence

2020 Creative Quarterly Illustration Award

2020 Applied Art Illustration Award

2020 ADC Award

2023 Applied Art – Illustration Award

Client List

Remy Martin
The Washington Post
America Crafts Magazine
Politico Magazine
California Real Estate Magazine
Collective Arts Brewing
AT&T
Grey Advertising
Merck Pharmaceutical
New York Times
SpotCo.
Broadway Musical
ACC Docket Magazine
Bussolati
Stain IAS International
Texas Monthly
Voice of Insiders
Collective Arts Brewing

Mural Clients:

Collective Arts Brewing
Moge Tee
Crab Du Jour
Seito Sushi
Tokyo Ramen & Burrito
Sensei Asian Bistro
U&Me
Revolving Hotpot
Hotpot 828,
Kiwami Ramen & Sushi
Ootoya Sushi Lounge
Sushi Ushi
Poke Green NY
Brooklyn Chicken & Lobster
Babbi Babbi Korean Kitchen
YH Seafood Clubhouse
Yummy House Florida
Our Wicket Lady Bar
Crack N Roll
Boru Poke & Boba
Zuru Ramen & Poke
Zuru Ramen & Boba
Zero Degrees
Hokkaido
AJi53 Asian Bistro
Ban Asian

Pho 813
Token Ramen & Tea
Dancing Crab
Rocking Crab
Fatty Crab
Incheon Seafood
Foody’s Dumplings
BBQ23
Blue Coast
Windsor Island
Mochinut
Nagoya Sushi & Hibachi
Mosi Tea Lounge & Sushi
Vaperior
Moonbound Smoke Shop

The first thing I do when I receive an assignment is carefully go over the brief and the accompanying materials. If it’s a story or an article, I underline the main idea and circle key words. I then start researching the subject to get a better grip on the story. Communicating with the art director is vital at this stage. It’s the best way to understand the client’s expectations for the job.

Once I have a clear understanding of the assignment, I roughly draw out the images in my head and start brainstorming. The question I ask myself the most is “How can I convey the idea through my illustration in an interesting way?” I carefully consider composition and how each element interacts with each other within the image. Three to five sketches will be presented to the client.

After the sketch has been approved, I work on top of it digitally to experiment with the color choices. Different colors give different moods. Usually two color variations will be provided.

I start working on the final illustration with traditional medium, usually ink and brush, to draw out the lines and the shapes. Then I bring my drawing to Photoshop for coloring. In the end, I apply homemade textures to the illustration to accentuate the natural look.

 

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