10 UK Illustration Graduates to Watch in 2024
Congratulations to this year’s illustration graduates!
The AOI work very closely with universities around the UK and beyond to help support illustration students during their studies and into their freelance careers.
This time of year is always an exciting time to celebrate and champion new talent. In this feature, we celebrate 10 inspiring up-and-coming illustrators who captured our attention.
From an array of interesting projects including tapestries, murals, picture books and more each of these graduates is forging their own path into the illustration industry, and we love to see it. Make sure to check out their individual portfolios below.
Claire Lavelle, Cambridge School of Art
A variety of analogue media from ink to coloured pencils to collage are the mediums of choice for Claire to create with. She enjoys working with dynamic mark making to create energetic images, striving to bring some movement and spontaneity to the work. Her most recent work has been inspired by the written word: in the form of novels, poetry and editorial articles.
Amy Anderson, Falmouth University
Amy’s work celebrates the extraordinary in everyday life and aims to share other people’s stories, taking inspiration from folk art, traditional print making, strong women, wobbly lines, and the world around her.
Amy’s final major project is based around the history of Las Pioneras and their stories, challenginng gender norms and celebrating the ways in which these wrestlers embraced a typically masculine profession, through a series of artworks created in different mediums from a mass produced risoprint zine and tapestry to lasercut wood.
Maggie Carroll, Edinburgh College of Art
Maggie is an MA Illustration graduate from Edinburgh College of Art, capturing joy and beauty of the world in her work through people, animals and architecture. Maggie enjoys combining traditional and digital mediums, and has recently been working with risograph printing, taking inspiration from travel, exploring cities and towns, antique stores, book shops, and flea markets.
Jess Clark, Norwich University of the Arts
Jess specialises in photomontage, using traditional methods of mark making, gathering found ephemera to create digital editorial illustrations and alternative publishing. Jess’ work aims to elevate the narratives given within editorial articles, as well as adding her own creative flair. Jess is particularly interested in working with stories revolving around sociopolitical, environmental, and humanitarian issues, as well as being open to exploring new things.
Throughout her final months at Norwich University of the Arts, Jess nurtured her visual identity through the project ‘Never mind the oblivion’; where she sought to enlighten those who may not endeavour to engage with current affairs, through the use of eye-catching collages.
Palak Garg, Camberwell College of Art
Palak’s work focuses on her surroundings through a playful and colourful lens inspired by her observations. Her artworks, made using painting, drawing, and digital techniques, feature people and places she encounters on her ‘illustrated walks’. She is interested in editorial illustration and advertising. Her illustration work is driven by the presence of solid characters and personalities that communicate a sense of playfulness.
Palak’s work has been exhibited across Camberwell gallery space and sold at Not Just A Shop (UAL). Her picture book, ‘How To Make Friends With Plants’ was highly commended at the Macmillan Prize for Illustration 2023.
Sze Hang Lo, London College of Communication
Sze Hang Lo is a Hong Kong-born illustrator based in London. A recent BA Illustration and Visual Media graduate from London College of Communication, her character-driven projects draw inspiration from human-environmental interaction, introspection, and mythology to explore the nuances of interpersonal relationships and mental wellbeing.
Alice Bartholomew, Kingston School of Art
Alice’s practise revolves around using analogue techniques to create colourful, patterned and vibrant prints and animation. she particularly enjoys experimenting with different print processes and discovering new methods of making. Throughout the last two years Alice has specialised in risograph printing, testing the limits of colour overlaying and mixing, and during her final project, Alice explored how print can communicate complicated information and generate exciting, accessible imagery for children.
Miles Dyson, Leeds Arts University
Miles Dyson is a children’s illustrator with a focus on murals and children’s publishing. His work is inspired by his personal experiences and a touch of silliness and playfulness which is reflected in the materials used to create the work. A key project for Miles was writing and illustrating a children’s book ‘my mum named me twice’ about his positive experience coming out as trans. Miles worked primarily with oil pastel and pencil to achieve a scratchy image.
Erin May Cooper, Arts University Bournemouth
Erin is an Arts University Bournemouth Illustration graduate, with a love of picture books, texture, and bright colours. Erin is inspired by 60’s illustration, music and history podcasts and specialises in children’s illustration, but also has a penchant for card design and surface pattern. Erin takes a mixed media approach to their work using water colour and digital to create hand rendered texture, and their work can be found for sale in Scribbler stores across the country.
Isobelle Farrar, Nottingham Trent University
Isobelle was awarded the New Designers AOI Illustration Spotlight Award for 2024.
Isobelle’s work explores narratives and she often looks to the past to inform and inspire her work. As an avid reader, Isobelle’s work often revolves around myths and folklore and retelling for contemporary audiences. Isobelle enjoys colour, texture and exploration of various materials and ways of working. She would love to delve into surface pattern design and hopes to illustrate a children’s book.
We’d like to say a huge congratulations, not only to our 10 illustrators featured here, but to all new graduates, transitioning from their studies and entering into the Industry!
The AOI supports Illustrators at every stage of their career with resources, advice, events, and much more. Whether you need help navigating your first commissions, or you want to belong to a thriving community – Find out more about AOI membership today!
*Not currently a member? Graduates can purchase an affiliate student membership (if your university is an AOI member) at the student rate until Monday 2nd September, allowing you to use the membership at a discounted rate for your first 12 months in industry.
Check out last years’ graduates to watch article and top tips and insights from previous graduates and the AOI team below.
Taking the first steps – Tips & Insights for graduates by graduates.
How to start as Illustrator: 6 tips and insights
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