Interview: Joanne Young

Preferred Pronoun?
she/her

Why did you choose to enter this work?
This is a self initiated project where I wanted to explore and push the use of pattern and detail as a narrative tool. I enjoyed experimenting and felt like this was a good showcase of my new work

What’s your favourite thing about your shortlisted project?
I tried to explore different ways of depicting a child's imagination. My favourite image is of the girl climbing through the trees where I hoped the repeat pattern helped create a sense of wonderment

What excites you most about being shortlisted?
I am so excited to have my work viewed amongst such an incredible group of illustrators. The WIA champion all their selected artists and you really feel like you are part of something special

Where do you usually work?
I work mostly in the converted space in my loft which is my studio. I managed to find a nice large second hand desk which has space for my Mac, scanner & room to lean my drawing board and light-box on

How long did it take to complete your project?
I've been working on this dummy over the last year in-between other projects. I didn't really set a time frame as I wanted time to explore and see where the work took me

What is your dream commission?
I would love the challenge of being paired with the right author working in partnership on a book. Making my stamp in collaboration with someone else's words & pushing my work in new directions

What’s your favourite thing to draw?
I tend to get obsessed with drawing detail, especially designing the high street for this project. I loved creating all the different signs, shop items and textiles for my characters clothes

What is your best tip for other illustrators?
Try to have a crit group of people you know and trust. Illustration can be very solitary at times, and having people you can bounce ideas off and who understand the type of work you do really helps

What are your plans for the future?
I would like to continue to experiment with the use of pattern and detail in my work seeing where I can push this narratively, with the hope to get my picture books published in the future


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