Justin grew up in the English Lake District, and graduated from The University of Northumberland with a degree in Design for Industry. He has since lived and worked as a toy designer in London, Hong Kong, New York and Barcelona. He currently works from his home studio on the edge of the South Downs in Lewes, East Sussex.

Justin graduated in 2023 with a distinction from the MA Children’s Book Illustration course at Anglia Ruskin University. His primary medium of choice is paint and he gets excited by the sometimes unexpected results that fluid materials produce. He strives for simplicity in his image making, combining this with texture and energy through mark making. His playful style is influenced by his experience of toy design and a love of creating characters, both human and animal.

Justin was the winner of the Sebastian Walker Award 2023 and the Batsford Prize for children’s illustration 2022. His debut author-illustrator picture book is due to be published in 2025.