Andy Ward is a freelance illustrator working out of Venice, Italy. He studied painting at the Norwich School of Art before moving to London and spending eight years freelancing for editorial and advertising clients. His focus has since broadened to include toy design, animation, jewelry, and fashion.

His illustrations have appeared on busses, billboards, balloons, bikinis, stickers, coats, t-shirts, and record covers. His work can regularly be seen in magazines, newspapers, books, and exhibition displays. He's even had pieces hand-sewn in sequins and miniaturized for mobile phones. Ward currently has weekly slots in The Independent and The Sunday Telegraph and a monthly slot in the Observer national UK newspapers. His animation work has been shown on TV, in the cinema, and, more recently, at London's IMAX cinema.

Ward is currently working with Spanish fashion label Custo Barcelona, having collaborated on about 200 pieces for its 2006 and 2007 collections. His animated short film La Vuelta del Super Barrio, made with Bob Jaroc and Super Barrio in Mexico City, was released by Warp Records in June.

andy ward

01. Describe the concept(s) behind your interpretation of Select Flavor.

AW: I wanted a swinging Halloween party scene with echoes of the way hip '60s parties were portrayed on TV and in cartoons like Scooby Doo — everyone twisting and shaking. The band was inspired by the Ramones. There is a strong cartoon element to their music and some wicked humor — a little twistin' and a lot of shakin'. For monsters, I went for the classics: devil woman, pumpkin head, sasquatch, mummy, wolfman, zombies, skeletons, and vampire bats. I incorporated the crown logo into the rocks of the cave and the band logo. So, I've interpreted the Select image as a classic, integral part of the party. With zombies.

02. Give a brief sketch of the creative process you used to realize your Select artwork.

AW: It starts with sketching followed by a thumbnail comp which is blown up. I tend to stick with all of my first ideas and sketches as the basis for work. When they come naturally, they tend to have more staying power. Forcing ideas and thinking too hard is not good.

03. If you could set up a studio anywhere, what location would you choose, and why?

AW: I currently have a loft studio above our home, just outside Venice, Italy. I work long hours, and this setup suits the way I work. It's always there and I can work when I need and when I want. I don't feel detached from the global scene as it's just that these days. I have clients in Bangkok, Singapore, New York, LA, London, Manchester, Barcelona. It's not important for my work where I am but for me. If I'm happy, my work comes out right.

04. Who or what inspires you to make art?

AW: My kids do — that well-being and happiness comes out in work. Fear of boredom (I get bored easily). Fear of not living up to what i hoped to achieve when I set out. Fear of not improving with time. The joy of seeing improvement with time. That's the mental stuff. As for visual inspiration, it can be anything. I'm open to it all.

05. What other projects are you working on-or dreaming about working on-right now?

AW: I have some toys in development with a fashion label and an accessories range for another. I'm drawing a portrait of a golfer called Colin Montgomerie riding in a mini Hummer with Meatloaf, a series of cars illustrating ways of economizing on fuel for the Royal Automobile Club magazine, and I'm doing this.