You may recall seeing this bird everytime you login through twitter. While it’s not the official logo, it immediately comes to mind when you think of twitter.
The man behind the bird is a Japan-based illustrator named Simon Oxley. His image originally came from iStockPhoto, where he also has dozens of other images that have the same style. For only $7, you are able to freely use the bird in almost any way possible, much like twitter has done.
Michael Canva, from the Washington Post, conducted an interview with Simon Oxley.
Michael Canva: iStockPhoto provides a real platform for the right kind of prolific artist. What’s your working relationship with the company?
Simon Oxley: iStock has given me a timely platform from which to broadcast my images to a massive audience worldwide. I mention the timely factor since I began contributing when the number of contributors was smallish. As the library has matured, so, too, has the level of competition — to a point now where many very talented imagemakers are using this channel to reach out. …
I joined the iStock community back in 2004, and began pumping images into the flow a year or so later — at first I was hesitant to join in the stock trade, since the image I had of stock was a little negative, believing that it motivated designers to only create gray, generic images. I soon realized that like many things in life, it is only gray and boring if you make it that way. … and there is enough space for many people to express as many emotions as they wish. iStock provides a channel for creative minds to broadcast their thoughts through and discuss the technical aspects of imagemaking, which ultimately frees people up to make whatever they wish.
Michael Canva: Your stock bird illustrations receive such high visibility via Twitter — has that been interesting to see play out?
Simon Oxley: iStock has clear rules for the usage of images and Twitter has used my bird image as a decorative element on their site — it is not officially the logo, and they do not sell products carrying the image, so they are totally free to carry on using it. I am, of course, really happy to see it being used by such a successful venture — the question of financial compensation is often raised. I do not harbor any negative feelings about the apparently low fee, [as the situation] being approached by organizations such as Wired.com and The Washington Post has given me exciting opportunities to step into the media spotlight for 15 minutes.
Michael Canva: What most excites you about the current stage of your career?
Simon Oxley: I look forward to taking time to diversify the products I produce — making items from wood, metal and plastic — while reproducing images in print as books and cards. Recently, new clients have been requesting character designs, which I particularly enjoy making. … I have made characters for BooKoo energy drinks and Oat Heads cereals. Perhaps, I will write some stories for a cast of characters to perform in someday soon.