KARL GUSTAFSON ILLUSTRATION
Awarded graphics fellowship
In Jan. 2016, about a month after I graduated with my BFA from Northern Illinois University, I saw a posting from the NIU Art Department bulletin board for the Graphics Fellowship position at The Onion. In addition to interviewing in person, I was given an assignment to produce three digital images, based on the materials provided. I was able to complete this assignment in a few days and was fortunate to get the position, out of the many applicants who also were applying. I’m showing the files that were provided for me (below) to create one of the images - in this case, Joe Biden at the grill!
Now I’m beginning my 6th year at The Onion, now as a Senior Graphics Editor,
and I really feel like I’ve grown as a digital illustrator and editor in this position. I also work about 4x faster than I did when I first started!
Test - Image #1
GRAPHICS FELLOWSHIP TEST: The Onion provided five images to choose from in order to produce a final image of Joe Biden at the grill. Creating visual images of whatever headlines the writers come up with is still my job!
Image provided by The Onion - CHOSEN
Image provided by The Onion - NOT CHOSEN
Image provided by The Onion - CHOSEN
Image provided by The Onion - CHOSEN
Image provided by The Onion - NOT CHOSEN
Here’s my final file of Joe Biden at the grill! I had to flop, resize, re-light and adjust his head to fit the body, remove the image of the man behind him, add the Presidential Seal to the apron, and adjust the color of the apron to match the seal - and make it all look natural!
From the Onion - Graphics Fellowship description
The Graphics Fellowship is an integral part of The Onion’s Art Department. We rely heavily on their support in the production of still images for all Onion Inc. properties inlacing but not limited to editorial, video, and sponsored content. Fellows work directly with us, the Onion Graphics Editors, on all aspects of production in a high-speed environment with a dense volume of new and exciting daily assignments. The Graphics Fellowship is structured on a milestone progression platform; as each fellow gains experience and displays proficiency understanding The Osio and ClickHole visual voices from one technical aspect, he or she is then invited to learn new skills and put them into practice under direct supervision Our ultimate goal is to expand our network of reliable graphic arts talent for all current and future Onion Inc. properties.