Q1: For those who may not know, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

J: Of course! My name is Jimbo Bernaus, and I’m a graphic designer by trade who transitioned into a full-time lettering artist and illustrator. I have been in this industry for over 10 years, working with brands across the globe.

Seven years ago, I co-founded Shoutbam, a creative studio based between Croatia and Spain. Alongside my partner Tea, we’ve created numerous digital products for Procreate, Photoshop, and Affinity Designer. Additionally, we’ve taught hundreds of creatives through live sessions at Design Cuts and our Educational Lab, which is jam-packed with tutorials on lettering and illustration.Advantages and disadvantages of a flat image logo

When it comes to the perspective of consumers, flat images are simple and easier to grasp. Because it doesn’t contain too many details and layers, it can communicate the message clearly and quickly.

However, not all flat images are this simple. If you add too many design features, even if it’s a flat design, it might still be too complicated for the average audience. This means, although flat images feature simple aspects, there’s still a chance they might be overdone.

Another benefit of flat images is with regards to the ease of printing. You can easily print this type of logo without losing its quality — regardless of the size of the material just like billboards or flyers.

Flat logos also usually feature simple typefaces and colors. If you’re the kind of business that capitalizes on readability rather than symbolism, then a flat image can be your best bet. And since it features simple dimensions, there’s no added contrast and layers. Hence the colors would be reduced to two or three options.

Overall, the flat designs characterize modern, minimal, and simple features perfect for all or most types of businesses. Not to mention, it is a lot easier to create because 3D designs require advanced design software and complicated buttons. Flat designs are for those with less budget and constricted time but want the most impact and usability.

Q2: What were some pivotal moments that shaped your path as an artist and entrepreneur?

J: I believe there have been a few moments that profoundly changed me, first as a human, and later as an artist.

The first one I remember was failing in secondary school. The last two years of secondary school here in Spain require specialization to prepare for your Bachelor’s Degree. Since nobody in my town informed me about Graphic Design at an early age, I initially aimed to become an engineer due to my interest in computers, with the hope of landing a well-paying job. However, I failed the second year, and it became clear that my failure was primarily due to my aversion to Math and Physics. I’m so grateful this happened, by the way.

In a nutshell, I decided to study in a nearby town that offered artistic subjects. Given my love for drawing, I began to consider the possibility of becoming an artist. That’s when I stumbled upon Graphic Design, which completely reshaped my future. I was finally pursuing something I was passionate about, and it left me amazed. Six years later, I held two Graphic Design degrees and made the choice to complete my studies abroad.

The second pivotal moment was studying abroad in Estonia. Back in 2014, I didn’t speak English, and being surrounded by so many creative minds equipped me with the necessary tools not only to learn English but also to open my mind to new creative avenues. It was in Estonia that I met my partner, Tea, who has been the highlight of my adult life and the person who has had the most profound impact on my journey.

The third moment was co-founding Shoutbam and renovating our studio in the heart of Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb. Before that, I had only one year of design work experience, having worked at Croatia’s largest Design Agency. However, I had a clear vision of becoming an entrepreneur. Quitting that world was the best decision I’ve ever made, believe me!

The fourth moment, and the reason I’m sharing this with you today, is creating digital products.

Q3: What inspired you to dive into the world of digital brushes and brush-making?

J: Let me take you back to August 2016. Tea and I were on vacation after wrapping up some client work. We looked at each other and said, “We’ve checked off our to-do list! Let’s enjoy our vacation.” But in the back of our minds, there was a lingering question: What’s going to happen when we get back?

That day marked a pivotal moment when we decided to explore multiple income streams. We tried various avenues, but nothing seemed to click. However, when we reached out to our audience and asked them what they wanted, there was a common answer in their responses: “We want to learn how you create those amazing textures in your work!”

Right then and there, we knew that we had to share our textures and brushes with the world, especially in this new app we had started using, Procreate. And that’s how “Rough & Raw” was born. I must mention that our friend Max from Lettering Daily played a crucial role in motivating us to take this step.

Q4: What was your goal in creating this set?

J: My goal was to pay homage to the original “Rough & Raw.” I aimed to craft something that stayed true to the essence of the original set while incorporating all the knowledge I’ve accumulated after five years of making brush sets.

Not only have I mastered every intricate detail of the Brush Studio while creating thousands of brushes over the years, but I’ve also gained a deep understanding of what my audience appreciates the most. I wanted to deliver precisely that to them.

Q5: What was your process for creating this product?

J: Whenever I set out to create a brush set, I have a distinct style in mind. This time, it was crucial that the style complemented the original “Rough & Raw.” My brushes always represent a mix of photographed textures and analog painting techniques.

For this set’s preparation, I collected around 100 photos captured with my phone from various parts of Europe, and on the other hand I meticulously sampled inks using different styles. The result was a total of 30 full pages of textures. The challenge was to seamlessly combine these elements in the best way possible.

Q6: What challenges did you have to overcome in its creation?

J: The original Rough & Raw has become a classic because of its simplicity. I was determined to stick to the same fundamental principles for this set. Since it serves as a continuation, it was essential to ensure that both sets could harmoniously complement each other when used in creating gritty digital pieces.

My most significant challenge was recapturing the essence of those brushes that kick started my career. Given that the Brush Studio now offers more options than before, I aimed to create Double-Brushes that give you a more randomized approach when texturising artwork, and I believe I achieved that!

Q7: Who would this product be useful for?

J: My main goal was to simplify the set because that was ultimately what people loved about the first R&R: Enough brushes to achieve a certain style. That’s it. 

This set is for anybody that wants to achieve that rough edge in their creative work using Procreate. Beginners and Pro users will for sure enjoy the set equally! 

One recurring feedback from my community is that they often find themselves overwhelmed with numerous brush sets containing an excessive number of brushes. The brushes become lost in this sea of options. How did I want to solve this? By categorizing those exact 20 brushes into understandable groups: 

Liners & Pencils: Precise, inky lines that capture the essence of traditional drawing.

Small Shaders: Ideal for adding subtle texture and depth to your artwork.

Big Shaders: Bring your designs to life with bold and expressive strokes.

Seamless Textures: Introduce depth and dimension with texture backgrounds.

Q8: You always add a cherry on top, what was it this time? 

J: The tutorial! I made a 1h long tutorial where I draw an illustrative lettering piece step-by-step. The goal was to make it accessible and beneficial for both illustrators and lettering artists. In the video, I demonstrated how to utilize each and every single brush, providing users with a comprehensive guide on their use.

Q9: What tips would you give to product creators looking to start?

J: When making a digital product you should do something that your audience truly desires and, at the same time, something you genuinely enjoy. Try to learn something new in every product you want to create and make sure you add fuel to your creativity in every step; this will allow you to keep creating sets and you’ll avoid burnout.

The second piece of advice I’d like to share is the importance of adding extra value. No matter what, include those valuable extras. In a market saturated with products, standing out is vital, and the best way to achieve that is by providing useful add-ons. I firmly believe that video content is now fundamental for promoting digital products. Our society has shifted towards video, and to secure sales, consider creating videos that either discuss the product or explain how to use it. Think of it this way: What can I offer to ensure the buyer comprehensively understands how to use the product?

Q10: Now this product is launched, what do you plan on doing next?

J: I have a thousand things lined up! I started working on a Creative Set of a style I fell in love with in my latest trip and I can’t wait to show you. 

It’s coming the first week of December 2023 so keep your eyes peeled!