ADC Awards, ADC Young Guns, Illustration January 6, 2016
Jordan Bruner: Elephants on Parade
ADC Young Guns 11 winner contributes to ADC 95th Annual Awards campaign
The ADC 95th Annual Awards are here! Yes, the Call for Entries for one of the oldest and most respected industry award shows in the world has been launched, with the help of BBDO New York‘s “Rare For A Reason” campaign, featuring beautifully designed ads which highlight just how uncommon it is to win a top honor.
To create the campaign, BBDO New York tapped into the talents of various artists from around the world. We at ADC love to shine the spotlight on creative talent, and so we will be featuring the artists throughout the Call for Entries season.
Our first artist in 2016 is an acclaimed Young Guns 11 winner who lives by the Lou Reed Code…
JORDAN BRUNER
Director / Animator / Illustrator
Brooklyn, NY
HoEvery kid draws and fingerprints and whatnot, but not every kid grows up to make a living doing that. How’d you end up being one of the lucky ones who did?
I was raised by my artist mother, so had easy access to lots of art books, drawers full of weird objects, sewing machines, paint, colored pencils, and other things like life-sized taxidermied zebras imported from Texas. Most of my mom’s friends were also artists or creative types, so there were always a lot of interesting and crazy people around. Opting out of hiring babysitters, my parents dragged me and my brother to a lot of art openings a lot as youths. I always loved to draw, dance, and make up plays for as long as I can remember, so I guess there never seemed to be a logical reason to stop. Additionally, I can wiggle my ears, and if pinned down I would have to say my spirit animal is a peacock spider.
How would you describe the kind of work you do?
I once heard Lou Reed say at a lecture that he likes to make things that turn him on. I think that’s a great answer to why any of us make anything.
Walk us through this project.
BBDO told me to incorporate elephants, but other than that it was pretty open. Like at the beginning of most projects there is excitement and terror, feelings of worthlessness, despair, and excitement again– you could call it an excitement sandwich. Receiving an ADC cube is an immense honor, and what better way to celebrate than to dance flamenco, do some elephant capoeira, or sip a fancy cocktail in your underpants?
This A-Z of Dance video was also an inspiration.
What various mediums did you bring to the finished piece?
Executing the finished illustration was a process of painting with india ink and watercolor followed by scanning, layering, and digitally painting in Photoshop.
What’s on the horizon for you in terms of other projects?
I’m currently developing an animated TV series with friend/colleague Angela Foster. Additionally, my brother, Barry Bruner (also an illustrator), have started brewing beer under the name of brü-nerds!
As rare as an ADC Cube is, an ADC Young Guns Cube is even rarer. How has life in that super-rare club been treating you since your own win?
I truly have met some of the most talented, hilarious, and lovely people through the ADC. It’s been an incredible experience.
How does winning an ADC Cube Compare to facing off against an elephant?
Of the option of being trampled to death by an elephant or having your ADC cube hurled at your head, I’m fairly certain there are few cons to either scenario.
The ADC 95th Annual Awards Call for Entries is now open.