Words by Gill Sampson, Course Leader

Welcome to Illustration and the excellent work and achievements of our graduating students this year. The creativity and individuality of all our students is reflected in the diversity of their achievements and portfolios of work, produced despite the new challenges this year.

Work on show presents a diverse range of possibilities and applications for illustration research and practice. Portfolio shows varied platforms for contemporary illustration through design, self-publishing and new media platforms, working with collage, typography, print making and mixed media approaches.

Collage work by Hate Paste showing a layered view of the earth from the point of view of an aeroplane pilot

This year all our students have been encouraged to engage with international industry competitions including the Carmelite Prize, Penguin Book Cover Illustration Award, Silent Book and The MacMillan Prize, The Batsford Prize, D&AD New Blood Awards.

Lorna Hill won the Carmelite Picture Book Prize 2021 for her unique illustrations for the picture book ‘Moon Mouse’ by Corrinne Averiss, creating a visual journey in a story about friendship, determination and courage.

BA Illustration work by Lorna Hill showing a page from her interpretation of Moon Mouse. Thinking about the parties he is missing down on Earth, Moon Mouse jumps into bed. He peers out of his window, to the Earth below.

Lisa Taylor was awarded highly commended for her accomplished entry to The Macmillan Prize 2021, the competition recognising excellence in children’s book illustration. Written and illustrated by Lisa, ‘So He Flew’ children’s picture book communicates complex ideas surrounding loss and friendship, helping children to understand difficult feelings.

BA Illustration work by Lisa Taylor showing a page from “So He Flew” where a woman is standing upon a cliff, looking out across the water, screaming into the wind.

As well as our staff team, our students have been able to interact with a diverse range of national and international visiting lecturers, including Aleesha Nandra, King Owusu, Charlene Mann, Monique Jackson, Vic Lee, Gaurab Thakali, Erin Aniker, Adam Stower, The AOI and Owen Gildersleeve.

Our students have engaged directly with a diverse range of real work experiences and collaborative projects including the plant and microbial science research institute The John Innes Centre, Storehouse magazine and a wide range of freelance commissions.

Hand drawn illustration of me as a child playing with a dolly sat on the floor with a red top and cream dungarees. The illustration has a white background with the subject situated in the middle of the image.

This year a great range of our graduating student portfolios can also be found at D&AD New Blood Digital Festival 2021 connecting students with the creative industries, including:

– Yas Noonan whose work showcases a bold visual language in collaborative zines, editorial and design contexts.

– Tabitha Blomfield whose work explores symmetry between light, model making and narrative, for application to film, set and prop design.

– Abi Skilling whose practice and research focuses on post-human and dystopian themes, informing ideas, concepts and narrative for zine, publication and book cover design.

BA Illustration work by Tabitha Blomfield showing colourfully lit photographs of a handmade spaceman puppet.
BA Illustration work by Abi Skilling showing a dark patchwork image of swirling lines and text.