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Every month, we feature a new take on the CBC Arts logo created by a Canadian artist. Check out our previous logos!
The CBC Arts logo illustration we commissioned for December is a gauzy swirl of macaron colours, and when Ohni Lisle was sketching the design on her iPad, the illustrator let the assignment carry her away.
Lisle, who’s originally from Calgary, works as a freelance illustrator, and her previous clients include publications such as Wired and the New York Times. She wanted her drawing of the CBC Arts logo to “feel like it could have been created with airbrush or coloured pencils,” and she told us more about her approach when we reached her by email.
Name: Ohni Lisle
Age: 40
Homebase: Brooklyn, N.Y.
What do you love about working as an illustrator?
Every job is different! And most people hire me to just do my thing.
What sources do you often turn to for ideas and inspiration?
I’m endlessly inspired by things I see online and around me. I’m always so inspired by graffiti.
Let’s talk about your logo! What are we looking at?
I sort of ended up with this ethereal, ‘80s Bauhaus energy. I started to focus on creating a logo that felt like it was moving and had a dreamy enchanted quality to it.
What inspired the concept?
It’s so fun for me to enter a flow state with just shapes and colours. I worked mostly off making the grid come to life with colour and shapes.
What’s the project you’re most proud of?
The one that comes to mind first is a cover of the Thursday Styles I did for the New York Times. It was for a story about brainrot. I had a lot of time to work on it; more than is usually given for an editorial assignment. I initially struggled with it and then it all came together last minute.
What’s new in your world? What are you working on these days?
I’m mostly doing editorial work, but I have an exciting project that will be released next year.
What’s your favourite place to see art?
Anywhere.
Who’s the last artist you discovered online?
Let me check. Solas (@solas.who) on Instagram.
Where can we see more from you?
I’m @ohnilisle on Instagram.
This conversation has been edited and condensed.
