Mural Illustration

CLIENT

Tendertrap

AGENCY

James Phillip Design

DESIGN BRIEF

Tendertrap was a Melbourne tapas restaurant situated at the eastern entry of Chadstone Shopping Centre. Although the venue has since closed, it was still a privilege to apply my interest and natural skill in illustration to create a custom artwork. More importantly, the piece was designed to enhance the dining experience, bringing enjoyment to both staff and guests.

I began the design process by first creating a series of sketches exploring various themes—ranging from ballerinas to different animals like deer and flamingoes. After reviewing the options, the client ultimately settled on bulls, as they best complemented the Spanish-style restaurant experience. Once the theme was decided, the final illustration needed to cover both the wall and the ceiling panel above the dining area. By extending across two surfaces, the artwork not only enhanced the space but also created a more immersive and engaging atmosphere.

Once the sketches are approved, I refine the illustration by hand, working with markers, paints, and pencils to bring the details to life. I then draw each component separately and scanned them in high resolution, ensuring crisp detail. Using Adobe Photoshop, I carefully assembled the matador, background, and bulls into a cohesive composition. Finally, I added vibrant digital colours and prepared the artwork for print, ready to make a bold impact.

The artwork was digitally printed onto vinyl and applied to the walls, ensuring that no harm would come to the original piece. Moreover, this process significantly improves both creativity and production efficiency. Additionally, it relieves pressure on an illustrator like myself, as I no longer need to meticulously time my arrivals, departures, and productivity around tradesmen and opening hours.

PROCESS & DELIVERABLES

Concept Sketches
Illustration
Mural Art
Digital Printing
Photo Retouching
Image Editing
Finished Art