Indonesian designer Edi Saputra (also known as EDS TER or Edster) creates the kind of illustrated characters that make you smile: deranged bulls, futuristic wolves and leaping fish. Animals are a feature of his work, which he traces back to an early love of detailed animal illustrations in the encyclopedia. But Edi’s profile is also a curious mishmash of styles, from Gothic logomarks to retro-inspired travel posters, the broad palette of a designer who’s clearly humble, curious and eager to learn. We spoke to Edi about how he came to be a designer, how he would describe his diverse illustration style, and how he developed his craft on 99designs.
Name: Edi Saputra
99designs handle: EDS TER
Location: Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Specialty: Illustration
Who is the person behind EDS TER?
I am a full-time freelance illustrator from Indonesia. “Edster” is a combination of my first and last name: Edi and Saputra. I chose the nickname because I think it is simple, cool and easy for everyone to remember!
So, how did you come to be a graphic designer?
I’ve loved visual art since I was little. I still remember when I was amazed by the images of prehistoric animals in the encyclopedia. Reading felt different when it was alongside those illustrations, and I really enjoyed it. Around 2013, I started to be interested in the designs I saw on T-shirts and started thinking “How do I do that?”
From then, I started to get more into art, mainly drawing on paper, recalling the illustrations from my childhood memories. The first thing I learned about design was the uniqueness of typography. I played around with letterforms and eventually learned how to turn my paper images into digital artwork that could be applied to things like T-shirts and posters. And even now I am still learning.
That early interest in prehistoric animals makes sense, because your work on 99d seems to include a lot of familiar motifs: skulls, fish and other creatures. Do you look for projects like that on purpose?
Overall, I am not very consistent in my design style, but more focused on the theme or design concept that I will work on. I like brush strokes. I like textures. I like unique and natural themes, and I also like the diversity and motifs of each animal character. Maybe, unconsciously, this is what makes me work more often on designs with natural objects.
Tell us about your creative process. What does it involve?
Before creating digital work, I must first understand the concept that I will work on, the purpose of applying the design, and how to process the concept into a visual work. After that, I start making rough sketches using a drawing tablet. After getting a rough sketch, I then continue the clean sketch process with coloring.
What inspired you to join 99designs?
Another designer, HeyEksa!, introduced me and told me a lot about 99d, so I was really excited to join! He said the platform is good for gaining experience and improving my artwork.
You’ve been on 99d since 2016. How has your work changed in that time?
When I first joined, I was proud just to be accepted, but my design skills still needed work. As time went by, I’ve continued to learn from seeing other designers on 99d. I’ve since upgraded my equipment and learned to be more professional in whatever I do.
You shared some of your favorite designs with us — the snowboarding bear, the Bahamas Bonefish T-shirt and the pickleball sticker. They’re relatively bright and simple, compared to some of your more detailed work. Tell us what you like about them.
I like the combination of colors with a fun and friendly concept. Lately, for some reason I prefer to make simpler and cleaner design illustrations. I think my style is a mix of colorful and retro design. I like soft colors that are not too flashy.
For now, you said you’re only active on 99designs, not Instagram or Behance or other platforms. Why is 99d such an important source of work for you?
I get plenty of work and experience on this platform by communicating with different clients, and I get a lot of feedback on the designs I work on. I have Instagram and Behance but I am not active on those platforms, because I rarely upload my work.
What are your tips for other designers using the platform, particularly in illustration?
Don’t stop learning, developing your work and exploring. And be someone who is consistent.
Where do you look for inspiration when you’re stuck?
I stop for a moment, meet up with friends, talk to family, and also go out to enjoy nature with my wife. The diversity of flora and fauna is also an inspiration for me.
Answer a few quick-fire quesitons for us, please!
- Favorite movie or TV show?
- Shawshank Redemption
- Favorite animal to illustrate?
Fish! - Do you prefer hand-drawing on paper or drawing on a tablet?
Currently I prefer drawing on a drawing tablet.
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Favorite font?
I think all fonts are unique and have their own character, and I don’t have a favorite font. I just choose a font according to the design concept. If the words in the design are an important element then I choose a font that is clearly readable! - Favorite color palette?
I like the combination of hot and cold colors in my illustrations. Overall, maybe some kind of earth tone color.
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