AOI latest in Arrest All Mimics - Ben Tallon's podcast.

New Episodes of Arrest All Mimics!

Listen to a brand new episode of Arrest All Mimics by Ben Tallon! The most recent episode features acclaimed design studio La Boca, who were shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards in the Professional Advertising category.

They provide a fantastic showcase of why it’s important to lead from the front with the work you would like to do and why it often leads to the clients you would most like to work for. The show also covers a few unconventional methods of creating illustration and touch upon why cats in multi-coloured triangles are not cool. Give it a listen here now!

Also don't forget that the AOI features in the 44th episode of the podcast, released last month. If you know anyone who's unsure as to what the AOI does, feel free to link them this exclusive interview where we talk about all things illustration. 

To find out more about Ben Tallon and how Arrest All Mimics came to be, read this exclusive interview we did with him on our blog!

Illustration by Ben Tallon

Dedicated to All Defenders of Human Freedoms: The Art of Paul Peter Piech runs from October 1 until February 12 2017

This Exhibition - "Dedicated to All Defenders of Human Freedoms: The Art of Paul Peter Piech" runs from October 1 until February 12 2017 at the Peoples History Museum in Manchester.

Painting with Rainbows: Michael Foreman at Harris Museum 9 July – 6 November 2016

Michael Foreman has been creating well-loved children's books, as both illustrator and author, for over 50 years will be exhibiting at the Harris Museum from July.

Learn about Michael's experiences growing up in wartime Britain in his childhood memoir, War Boy, rediscover your favourite characters in Moose, The General, Dinosaurs and All that Rubbish, and imagine yourself in a world without conflict, where friendship is celebrated and the environment is cherished.

Michael's illustrations encourage us to reflect on how we care for each other and the world around us. Don't miss this unique chance to see Michael Foreman's work at the Harris and meet his engaging, colourful characters.

Year Three Student Katie Lennon in Secret Seven Inch Show

Well done Katie Lennon year 3 illustration for being selected for the fifth annual Secret Seven inch show for Amnesty International with this cover design for John Lennon's "Imagine" - the lyrics to which were inspired by Yoko Ono's "Grapefruit".

After months of secrecy and speculation Secret 7" - the annual exhibition and sale of 700 vinyl singles covers has revealed the identity of artists and designers behind each record cover.

Each of the works is based on one of seven songs: CHVRCHES's Clearest Blue, Etta James' At Last, Jack Garratt's Worry, The Jam's Art School, John Lennon's Imagine, Max Richter's Dream 3 and Tame Impala's The Less I Know The Better.

This year's exhibiting artists included fine artists, illustrators, designers and musicians. These include Sir Anish Kapoor, Sir Paul Smith, Jenny Holzer, George Hardie, Gavin Turk, Bob & Roberta Smith, Anthony Burrill, Rob Ryan, Jean Julien, Kate Gibb, Tom Dixon, and Belle & Sebastian singer Stuart Murdoch and many more...

The Show ended on May 1st.

Ben Tallon wins Dot London Awards Creative Agency of the Year

Congratulations to Ben Tallon 2006 graduate who has won Dot London Awards
Creative Agency of the Year.

Ben who has lectured a couple of times to students at UCLan decamped to Greenwich in London a couple of years ago since then his practice has grown and diversified.

"Multi-award-winning illustrator and art director Ben Tallon's work is 100% hand-crafted using a wide range of organic materials. Since making his name as an illustrator, he has expanded into multi-disciplinary channels, creating set design and art directing in film and television. He now also lectures and hosts workshops and has a podcast with Illustration Ltd." He has also written a book about his travails as a freelance illustrator.

Ben will be back in Preston talking to Year Two students  in February as part of the contextual studies programme.

You can see more of his work by following the link on the menu right.

The splendid Jonny Hannah will be exhibiting at YSP in November. "Main Street" will be at YSP from the 14 November until 28 February 2016.

"Transforming YSP Centre, Jonny Hannah: Main Street features three pop-up shops made entirely from the artist’s 2D and 3D artworks, all of which are available to buy. Navigate Main Street using Hannah’s traditional hand-painted signs suspended above the YSP Centre concourse; natter with the owner of the Record Store; and nip to The Hand and Heart junk shop to pick up anything your heart desires!"

BA(Hons) Illustration Degree Show 2015

Propercorn selfies by Kelly Ma

Another Illustration final year over - they have exhibited their work in Preston and visited London's New Blood Festival and are about graduate. Here is a small showcase of some of this year's final year show. We congratulate everyone graduating on Thursday 16th July and wish them all luck for the future!

Happy Cafe by Maya Jones

Lonely Hearts by Stef Maden

Editorial about the plight of the honey bee by Jack Wilkinson

"Let Forever Be" by James Dixon this illustration
was selected for the Secret Seven Inch Exhibition
at Somerset House for Nordoff Robbins Trust back in April/May 2015

James Dixon's Graphic Novel based on Kurt Cobain's diary.

Polish Icons for an artist's book by Marlena Nowicka

Eagle Girl by Zuzanna Krolik

Hejdasz by Zuzanna Krolik 

A character from a children' book by Kelly Burrows written by the illustrators daughter

Propercorn by Kelly Ma

Paul Esposito cuts his vinyl illustration directly onto the studio windows, freehand.

Illustrations for "The World's Greatest Scarf" by Romana Noray
nominated for UCLan Creative Focus Award

Saffron McCormick's "Monster Teeth"
highly commended in the Macmillan Prize 2015

Jillian McLellan illustrated Scottish Folk Tales

A Fashion Spy's Gadget Guide by Hannah Gunn

Ashley Craggs poster designs for International Women's Day

Ben Tallon Champagne and Wax Crayons

Always good to see Ben back at preston illustration and he was here a couple of weeks ago to speak to students about his experiences as a freelancer over the last seven years or so. He has written a book "Champagne and Wax Crayons" which comes out on the 25th May about "Riding the madness of the Creative Industries" an honest and personal insight into the trials and tribulations of a young illustrator entering the world of freelance illustration in one of the worst recessions seen since the early nineties. The book has an extensive review and preview in the Creative Review blog.
I found it an enjoyable and at times toe-curlingly accurate portrayal of the thick skin you need to absorb the ups and downs of life as a freelance illustrator.

"Individuality is everything and how each person responds to adversity, triumph and disaster especially in the freelance world is impossible to teach or understand. This original and engaging book contains savvy advice from someone who has survived the unpredictable and often surreal world of the creative industry." 

Available from all good book sellers soon!

You can find examples of Ben's work here. And here is a bit of advice that Ben wanted to pass on to our students.

Mike Giblin designs characters for ITV Newzoids

Former UCLan illustration graduate Mike Giblin has become an established caricaturist since leaving University in around 2001 and has most recently been involved in the development of ITV's new puppet comedy sketch show Newzoids .
Here are some of the character studies that were used by Citrus TV/Factory to design the puppets used in the show which is currently airing on ITV on Wednesdays at 9pm. The show has been dubbed the spiritual successor to Spitting Image - and it is actually funny.
Ever topical I have only chosen the political character designs from Mike's website and in the interest of balance would like to say don't vote for Cameron, I couldn't find Mike's designs for Farage but do not vote for him either...

You can see much more of Mike's work on his website here.

Jody Clark designs the fifth definitive portrait of the Queen

On the 2nd March former UCLAN illustration graduate Jody Clark became only the fifth artist to design the portrait of the queen to feature on the national coinage.  Jody who has been working at the Royal Mint in Cardiff as a designer since 2012 graduated from preston illustration in 2004.

Jody's portrait was selected from entries to an anonymous competition. Interviewed about the process of designing such a significant design he said: “At first I did loads of little thumbnail images to work out the layout, and played around with putting together different crowns, elements, jewellery and silhouettes to see which looked best. Then I picked one and hand sketched it out before working it up using reference imagery." Below is one of the working drawings he created. Once he had drawn the design he created the worked up version entirely digitally, the first to be created digitally.

Jody, who is originally from the Lake District, spoke of his studies in Preston: “I have fond memories of my time at UCLan because I met some of my best friends there and the course helped with broadening my horizons in respect of where my career could go after that. One particular lecturer was very inspiring to me and that was illustrator Kevin Hauff.”

Former UCLan Illustration lecturer Kevin said: “I remember Jody being one of the more quietly dedicated students who had a methodical and considered approach to creating his artwork. He had a passion for the subject, always worked hard, met deadlines and so was a pleasure to share the teaching time with at UCLan. I am absolutely delighted his work has been chosen for the next Royal Mint portrait of the Queen. It is a truly well-deserved success.”

Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, said the judging panel's decision was "pretty unanimous" and added that this latest portrait is "astonishingly significant". He said it had "a good likeness and a dignified likeness".
The full story of Jody's design can be read on the Royal Mint blog here .

Most recently Jody has been chosen to design the commemorative 2014 proof Britannia (which was struck on the smallest coin ever manufactured by The Royal Mint – the fortieth ounce), 2014 Ryder Cup medals and the new Tanzania 500 shilling coin.

All the staff who worked with Jody on the illustration course would like to congratulate him on such a significant commission. More of Jody's work can be seen on his portfolio site - and in your pocket later this year!

Fig Taylor Visiting Lecture and Portfolio Consultations

All Illustration and design students are invited to a talk/lecture by author, portfolio consultant and illustrators' agent Fig Taylor on Thursday 5th March at 1.30pm in the third year studio.
Students are asked to let Steve know by email if they would like to join a small group portfolio consultation with Fig on Friday 6th March a.m.

Kate Pankhurst visiting speaker on Friday December 5th

D&AD New Blood 2014

The Final Year Students have just returned from an enjoyable and hopefully fruitful visit to the annual Design and Art Direction New Blood Exhibition in Old Spitalfields Market in East London. The large and bustling graduate show was as busy and hot as ever! From the 1st -3rd July many of the best graphic design and illustration students "hawked their wares" on the market. Although there were over a hundred stands to view and plenty of very talented students, there was lots of interest in the UCLAN stand both at the Private View and over the event from publishers, designers and magazines.

The Illustration show was noted by commentators for Computer Arts Magazine, the Creative Bloq listed us as one of the best stands.
Jade Laura's paper cut portraits were noted by Creative Review Magazine:

Jade Laura

Meanwhile Sophie Heywood's hand lettering, mark making and colour were tweeted by Amelia's Magazine's Amelia Gregory and blogged by Tim George Design.

Sophie Heywood

Whilst Ben Pickup who was shortlisted for the Computer Arts Cover Design Award got a mention on their Creative Bloq blog!

Ben Pickup

Natalie Dowbekin's packaging work received plenty of plaudits from visitors.

Natalie Dowbekin

We look forward to hearing about future commissions and career opportunities in the not too distant future, with news of at least three possible commissions so far. So well done to everyone who took part:
Sophie Heywood, Jade Laura, Ben Pickup, Natalie Dowbekin, Nick Norcross, Aby Helme, Shawn Sharpe, Sophie Duckworth and Benjamin Bryan Mason.