Quick, clever illustrations that raise a smile are the forté of Max Erwin. Based in Portland, Maine, he has developed his own individual creative style which is bold and graphic, with popping colours and warming touches of tone and texture. It’s the perfect platform for his fresh ideas, intelligent wordplay and weird humour.
Thanks to his ability to visualise concepts in a clear and immediate way, Max has worked with some of the biggest editorial and publishing brands, and with a growing list of advertising clients. They love his professionalism, enthusiasm and friendly demeanour, not to mention the speed at which he works.
With a degree in Illustration from Maine College of Art, Max now teaches the subject alongside his professional practice. His biggest influences are film directors such as Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock and Wes Anderson, and he loves a good horror movie.
Approach
Max starts a project by assembling ideas, fresh takes and concepts, narrowing them down to find the best way of communicating the message, working from the broad composition down to the detail. “Once my design is ready to take to final, I start in on the line work and flat colour before laying in shadows, halftones and traditional textures,” he explains.Style
Absurdism and post-modernism mix with Pop Art and comic book influences in Max’s illustrations, for a feel that is contemporary, fun and impactful.