How to get a D&AD Award; Chris Arrowsmith's Journey

Chris who graduated this Summer won the silver award in the illustration category in the D&AD student awards this year.
He has recently been asked to answer a few questions for D&AD about his journey to his award so here is a copy of his reply.  We were so pleased, but not surprised, that we produced one of the best students in the country last year.
Not only was it a cool achievement but Chris is also a modest guy so we point you at his portfolio and blog (click the title link).

Norman Rockwell's America - Exhibition

From 17th December until March 27th the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London is hosting an exhibition of the work of American illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894-1978). Rockwell was arguably America's most famous and popular illustrator of the Twentieth Century. The Gallery has all of his Saturday Evening Post covers over 300 painted over a sixty year career, as well as his other editorial and advertising work. His figurative paintings depict a classic Americana; heartwarming, and sentimental.

This exhibition looks well worth the trip to London. For full details click the title link.

The Small Stakes music posters by Jason Munn

Just received a really beautiful book of Jason Munn's Poster Designs. Jason Munn aka The Small Stakes has been operating since 2003 designing and screen printing posters and t shirts for the music industry for the likes of Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse etc. Simple layout and metallic inks used throughout. The book has been out for a few weeks and is published by Chronicle Books. Click the title link for his website.

Shaun Tan's The Lost Thing

Coming soon on a DVD near you Australian illustrator Shaun Tan's tale of the Lost Thing a short animated film by Passion Pictures Australia. Click the title link for information.

Big Bumper Xmas Link Update!

Hello - As you may have seen there has been a major update of the links from this blog.
If you are interested in illustration then you should be able to find something here for you? Please have a look at the illustrators web links, and learn from some of the best illustrators in the business.
I have also begun to link to illustration blogs, and illustration agencies too.
As well as adding links to other interesting related sites such as specialist bookstores and galleries etc.
The preston illustrators sites are due for a spring clean too - so you better have updated your site in the last few months or you may find your link will disappear... grr.

In the meantime have cool Yule and a happy new year!

Fancy a brew!

Year Three Illustration student Helen Draper set up a performance installation piece in the window of Brucciani's on Fishergate in Preston. Based around her love of tea Helen has created a tea dress made out of over 300 teabags and staged a tea ceremony in the window of  the well known Preston tea shop.

We still can't decide whether she should brew up an enormous pot of tea at the end of the Summer show?
The stunt was featured in the LEP and you can read their story by clicking the title link.

Images 35 Selection

How good are we?! Its that time again when we can blow our own trumpet as no-one will do it for us!

The Association of Illustrators annual jury selection of the best of British illustration IMAGES 35 has been made and a few former UCLAN illustration students and friends of the course have been selected for this prestigious annual and show.

We are particularly pleased to see that last year's graduates Andy Thomson and Rob Gill have been selected. Recent graduate Liam Derbyshire, and current MA Children's Book Illustration student Carly Gledhill have also been selected. So well done all four of you!

Andy Thomson

Rob Gill

Carly Gledhill

Liam Derbyshire

Well done too Kevin Hauff, Jill Calder and David Hughes former visiting lecturers to the uni.
I trust I haven't missed anybody from my list.