Imaginary Friends Studios
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| Imaginary Friends Studios | |
|---|---|
 Logo design by Artgerm (Stanley Lau) |
|
| Type | Imaginary FS Pte Ltd |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Singapore, Jakarta |
| Key people | Edmund T. Shern (Studio Head) Stanley Lau/ Artgerm (Creative Director) Kendrick Lim/ Kunkka (Art Director) Lim RiKai/ Kai (Art Director) |
| Industry | Illustration, Concept Art |
| Products | Imagine Artbook (2005) Imagine Prime (2007) |
| Website | Imaginary Friends Studios |
Founded in 2005, Imaginary Friends Studios (also known as Imaginary Friends or simply “IFS” to their fans) is an illustration, comics art and concept art studio based in Singapore and Jakarta.
Award-winning illustrator Ashley Wood has stated that "Imaginary Friends are an outstanding example of what can be achieved when artists choose to believe and make it happen."[1]
Clients of IFS include DC Comics, Electronic Arts, Top Cow, Cartoon Network, WizKids and Upper Deck[2].
Contents |
[edit] Founders
A veteran of TV, film and advertising, Studio Head, Edmund T. Shern manages Imaginary Friends Studios.
He had met Creative Director, Artgerm (Stanley Lau) during their stint at an advertising and design agency. Both wanted to create a company that would allow homegrown and regional artists to get jobs in the international arena, as before 2005 there was no company doing this in Singapore, despite the nation's rich pool of talent.
They sought to start their own independent studio, inviting Kunkka (Kendrick Lim) and Kai (Lim RiKai)- previously interning at the same advertising and design studio, to join the team.
[edit] Quotes
- "Ideally, we hope to see the general society (in Asia) get rid of this mindset that comics are something kids do and only kids read because in every other part of the world, its a big respectable business. Our very own cultural prejudices about art as a career need to be addressed." - Edmund T. Shern [3]
- "By rejecting this medium (digital painting) just because of its inability to behave like real paint, we stand to lose a world of digital possibilities." - Artgerm (Stanley Lau)[4]
[edit] History
Imaginary Friends Studios started with four founders in late 2005. The company experienced initial problems with investors as it was very new and in a business not many investors understood. They had to prove to these investors their worth through profits and numbers but IFS didn’t have concrete profit margins to show then. In the end they had to strike out on their own. Once they were up and running, IFS are gaining international recognition due to their clients and portfolio.[5]
[edit] Recent News
- IFS is a principal sponsor at the 19th annual Eisner Awards to be held in San Diego, CA on 27 July 2007[6].
- IFS conceptualized and executed the publicity design for CG Overdrive 2007 held at the Singapore Expo in June[7].
[edit] Publications
- Imagine Artbook, 2005. Published by Imaginary FS Pte Ltd.
- Imagine Prime, 2007. Published by Imaginary FS Pte Ltd and Basheer Graphic Books.
[edit] Media Coverage
- June 2007, Feature interview (video) with Channel NewsAsia.
- May 2007, Cover art (by Artgerm) and feature article Find your Style Pg 40-42, Advanced Photoshop, Imagine Publishing Ltd, UK
- March 2007, More than an Illusion: Imaginary Friends Studios, Pg 94-97, iSh, Page One Publishing Pte Ltd, Singapore
- September 2006, Interview with Edmund and Artgerm I Wanna Be Your Imaginary Friend, Youth.sg
- July 2006, Best Imaginary Friends, Pg 25, ImagineFX, Future Publishing Ltd, UK
- June 2006, Indigo People, Pg 20-21, Indigo, Heart Publishing Pte Ltd, Singapore
[edit] External links
- Imaginary Friends Studios Official Site
- IFS Blog
- Youth.sg article “I wanna be your imaginary friend” interview with Edmund and Artgerm
- CG Overdrive Official Site
- Basheer Graphic Books
- Advanced Photoshop Magazine
- iSh Magazine
- FHM Magazine(Singapore)
- Artgerm's DeviantArt page
- Kunkka's DeviantArt page
[edit] Notes
- ^ 2007, Foreword, Imagine Prime: The Art of Imaginary Friends Studios. Published by Imaginary FS Pte Ltd and Basheer Graphic Books.
- ^ Imaginary Friends Studios Official Site
- ^ March 2007, More than an Illusion: Imaginary Friends Studios, Pg 94-97, iSh, Page One Publishing Pte Ltd, Singapore
- ^ May 2007, Cover art (by Artgerm) and feature article Find your Style Pg 40-42, Advanced Photoshop, Imagine Publishing Ltd, UK
- ^ September 2006, Interview with Edmund and ArtgermI Wanna Be Your Imaginary Friend, Youth.sg
- ^ The 2007 Eisner Awards Site
- ^ Overdrive Official Site
