Artist, illustrator, creator - Bob Macneil

• Pages: 13-15

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Pencil and marker, circa

1977-78. The drawing

Mr. MacNeil pinned all

his hopes on at age

seven.

13

The award-winning brand and product designer

Bob MacNeil drew an illustration of a “Patent Troll”

(see WIPO Magazine 1/2010, page 4) for a well-

known magazine that proved so popular he

found it illegally copied and used by the very de-

fenders of intellectual property (IP) rights them-

selves. A bit ironic, but they did immediately rem-

edy the situation when he contacted them. In this

interview for the WIPO Magazine, he talks about

his first childhood experience as an artist; how

the Internet has become an indispensable tool,

linking him to the wider world and broadening

the market for his work; and gives stern recom-

mendations to young people seeking to follow in

his footsteps.

When did you start drawing? When did you start

making a living from it?

My earliest drawings are from when I was about

six years’ old. A year or so later, I took a test

through a mail order art instruction course I saw

on TV – funnily enough, the advertisement still

runs today. After I completed the test, I anxiously

awaited praise. But the greats who sat atop that

artistic throne unfortunately informed me my

work wasn’t good enough; I did not have what it

took to be an artist. I guess at age seven my

dreams were bigger than my ability, but the re-

sults inspired me to prove them wrong.

My family is made up of artists – professionals and

hobbyists alike – so I was fortunate enough to be

surrounded by people who were supportive of

my creativity. It was evident to them that I would

one day pursue a creative career. My first official

job as an illustrator was to produce a series of pen

and ink images for a relative who owned a print

shop. The experience was invaluable. I was able to

work directly with a client while still in art school.

Eventually, I built up my portfolio to a reasonable

level and landed my first job without the aid of

family or friends – designing kiosks for store in-

stallations and shopping malls.

How do you make a living as an artist?

I work full time in a studio that designs and de-

velops land-based slot machines and freelance in

animation and video games. Simply put, I don’t

sleep. But I’m not complaining, it is work I truly

enjoy. Over the last 19 years, it has allowed me to

take part in almost every type of creative outlet

ARTIST, ILLUSTRATOR,

CREATOR –

BOB MACNEIL

Biodata

Born: 1971, New Jersey, U.S.

Media: Professional work:

digital (Adobe Photoshop

and Illustrator); leisure work:

watercolor and acrylics

Education: Graduate of

Newark School of Fine and

Industrial Art; self-taught in digital media

Awards: (alone and jointly as part of teams)

American Corporate Identity 20 for Skippy Brand

Redesign; Creativity 33 for Skippy Peanut Butter

Brand Redesign; American Graphic Design

Awards for Dofino Cheese Brand Design;

American Graphic Design Awards for Mott’s Fruit

Blasters; Art Director’s Club of New Jersey for

Mott’s Fruit Blasters Brand Design; America

Corporate Identity for The Roll; America

Corporate Identity for Popsicle Redesign; and

America Corporate Identity for Skippy Squeeze

Stix Package Design

Hobbies: Black belt in Taekwondo

Website: www.taminglight.com