Sarah Habershon is Art Director of G2 at the Guardian. She commissioned Tommy Parkers’ World Illustration Awards shortlisted entry “The Disability Diaries”. Here we take the opportunity to talk to her about her career in commissioning illustration, and the challenges of editorial illustration times.

This story is a coming of age drama. It explores the desire to push at the limits set by those in authority in order to find themselves a place in the world.

After two years of thorough and careful debate, Parliament has adopted a mandate to take draft reforms forward into final negotiations with the Council and Commission.

The Klaus Flugge Prize for most exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration was awarded to Kate Milner for My Name is Not Refugee.

Discover your inner Activist with the new Varoom! With an in-yer-face cover by BraulioAmado the Activism issue chucks a handful of protest bricks for your reading delight.

A combination of fantasy and remarkable real-life events, this book is an exciting and empowering true tale with the drama and tragedy of Gothic fiction. Illustrator Júlia Sarda discusses her inspiration and reseach for the book, and also her use of pattern and colour.

Today, MEPs have an historic opportunity to support copyright proposals in an EU Directive that would deliver a fair deal for European creators and assure the future of creativity in the digital age.

Holly Fulbrook is Head of Children’s Design at Oxford University Press and worked with Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve on their book The Legend of Kevin: the Roly-Poly Flying Pony Adventure, published 6 September 2018. Holly explains more about the process of commissioning, working with Sarah and Philip, and the various challenges and excitements present in today’s publishing industry.

It is the reader’s task for this playful book to help Maestro travel the world and track down each member of the orchestra in time for the big concert.

A beautifully sensitive story from Marianne Dubuc about Mrs Badger and her regular walks up the mountain. Joined by a new young friend, the story explores what will happen as Mrs Badger ages.

Help secure fair copyright for the future and write to your MEP today!

Bawden’s evocative images have shaped a visual identity for mid century Britain, but this exhibition shows a further side to his work.

Peter Cross, Customer Experience Director at John Lewis Partnership, commissioned Paul Thurlby’s World Illustration Award winning project National Treasures. Find out more about the commissioning process in this insightful interview.

A meditation on loss and the space left behind when someone (in this case, the character’s cat) is no longer around, from Marianna Sztyma

In this industry insight we talked to Jeremy Wortsman of Jacky Winter about the Australian illustration scene, working globally, geographical trends and the secret to a long career, “Everyone needs to spin a lot of different plates to survive!”

From ‘Down Under’, AOI member Andrea Innocent lives and works as part of the Illustration scene in Melbourne. She describes her travelling years in Japan and how its historical art style influenced her own practice, plus the journey to finding satisfaction and grounding in teaching and leading workshops in Australia.

Starting with September’s Activism issue Varoom has a new Editor.

The Folio Society who are committmed to publishing quality illustrated books, are profiled in the Love issue. We talk to illustrators Victo and Paul about the experience of working with the esteemed publisher.

‘There is a groundswell zeitgeist perspective shift occurring. But much too slowly in my opinion.’ The superstar illustrator on his enthusiasm for tackling political and social issues with image and comment.

Jim Butler won the WIA2018 Professional Books Category for his limited-edition artist’s book ‘Blackrock Sequence’.

A Latvian story of three friends, a horse, a raven and a crayfish setting up home together – a charming tale about friendship and compromise.

Illustrators develop a close connection with their materials. In Varoom 37 Poppy Chancellor, MaricorMaricar and Olimpia Zagnoli reveal what they love about what they work with.

New confidentiality/NDA agreement templates for members!

10 years ago, the way we communicate and promote ourselves online changed dramatically with the arrival of social media platforms. Love it or hate it, these have now become an almost integral part of our daily professional routine. But how beneficial is it really for Illustrators? AOI Member Matthew Griffin shares his thoughts on the matter.

Sabrina is the first graphic novel to be longlisted for the Man Booker. “Oblique, subtle, minimal, unmanipulative: the style of the pictures is the book’s worldview.”

Esther Goh is the WIA2018 winner of the Editorial Professional category, sponsored by Eye magazine, for her project Emojiworld.

Château Angélus wine-maker and one of France’s most celebrated illustrators worked together to deliver a series of adverts celebrating love.

With the Tour de France in full swing Peter Allen interviews Nick Higgins on his new cycling book, which appeals just as much to those who are a part of cycling as those who aren’t.

Illustration duo Hvass&Hannibal are paired with Angela McAllister’s poems, with the most succcessful images able to enter completely into an imagined space.

Lis Ribbans has recently taken the helm as Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the ‘invaluable’ British Copyright Council (BCC), of which AOI is a member – and we talk to her about her role, what the BCC has on its plate and how the AOI can play its part.