The Presentation:
The morning started with a presentation on understanding where each individual style might fit in the current markets, and important factors to focus on to equip new illustrators as they begin their next chapter to find an agency or publisher.
Becky and Daisy Bee went through what our role as an agency is, and how we best serve you within the publishing industry. They then went on to explain the best attributes to look for when searching for an agent, how to find where your work as an illustrator fits in within the children's market, and how to present your portfolio of work to an agency.
Students were incredibly engaged in the feedback session which followed, and it was a delight to spend an afternoon reviewing such brilliant artwork.
The Live Illustration Briefs:
Here's a breakdown of the brilliant illustrations from the runners-up and winner!
Achilles Smith
In fouth place, Achilles Smith took a different approach to ‘Witch for a Week’, and with an alternative perspective of a pensive witch in a fabulously gothic castle windowsill. Achilles’ sense of perspective gave the reader an interesting angle, looking past the villain towards the protagonist as she worked in the shop in a black and white vignette.
Lucy Spink
Aysha Ballen
Coming in second place, was Aysha Ballen’s middle grade cover and fabulous character compositions for ‘Witch for a Week’.
The warm pink glow from inside the castle reflected onto the archway cobbles draws the readers eye to the protagonist as she looks out onto her next adventure.
Throughout Aysha’s work, her careful consideration of artwork placement, ensured that the vignettes and half page back and white illustrations blended seamlessly with the story.
WINNER! Sophie Smith
A huge congratulations to the winner and the runners-up, and many thanks to everyone who took part!
On a sunny day in March, agents Becky and Daisy Bee met with many enthusiastic and talented illustration students at the Arts University Bournemouth for a talk and feedback session on a previously set creative brief.
The agents first put on a presentation for the students about agencies and the illustration market, with advice on how to break into the industry and the benefits of signing with an agent.
Becky and Daisy Bee then looked through and gave feedback on the work each student had produced for the live creative brief, choosing a winner amongst them to receive a cash prize.
In January the students of the Arts University Bournemouth Illustration course were presented with three live brief options -two picture books and one middle grade- in order to develop their style and practice following art direction.
After working hard to create a few sample spreads and a cover for each brief, students presented their final work, talking through their artistic process, and taking onboard feedback to strengthen their styles even further.
Across the board there were some stand out qualities, namely, interesting compositions and perspectives, experimentation with colour palettes, and plenty in details in the background.
Lucy Spink in third place, offered an exciting editorial take on ‘Eric the Liontamer’, where a limited colour palette, and subtle patterns throughout, combined with delicate line work, added a brilliant sense of movement.
A particular standout spread involved the lion’s roar extending across the double page, and the pattern and outline of Eric being blown away, creating an exciting visual demonstration of the lion’s noise.
Sophie Smith was crowned the winner, for her brilliantly colourful, and carefully composed picture book artwork for ‘Help, I Don’t Want a Babysitter!’.
Sophie’s bright colour palettes and bold use of shadow invited the reader into a cosy but graphically engaging world, and her imagination was evident throughout, with a particularly strong moment of comedy in the broccoli details!
