Innovative Techniques

While much of the work shortlisted for the awards is created digitally, or using a hybrid of hand and digital techniques, some go much further.

From burnt toast, to lit paper sculptures, to prints on glass, to plasticine models, there is incredible scope for innovation by using unusual materials and exciting, boundary pushing techniques.

Kate Isobel Scott‘s Lockdown Zine is crafted from plasticine. The way this soft, squishy material has been moulded echoes the way life under lockdown became less defined and structured.

This illustration by Anjali Nair is created from toast to show the party political divisions precipitated by the recent US Presidential elections. As a material it perfectly captures how the USA has been burnt by the turmoil of recent events; it’s both conceptual and playful.

Carlo Giovanni‘s cut paper illustration for a Brazilian edition of Animal Farm uses bright colours and a highly stylised composition to create a vibrant design reminiscent of Soviet posters.

This photocollage illustration by Eva Wünsch uses original source material from the author’s family to create a surreal image with a personal story hidden within.

Cecilia Abeid’s music video was created with hand crafted models, using simple materials such as plasticine, paper and thread, stop motion animated to give the final work a vintage, fun feel.

Lisa Sheehan‘s cover image illustration was created using acrylic paint on canvas to give a realistic effect, complete with painterly, sometimes accidental, drips!

Sonia Alins‘ illustration for Moleskine uses layers of materials including polypropylene plastic to create this softly diffused image reminiscent of morning mist on the water.

This atmospheric, architectural image by Owen Gildersleeve is created using a paper model illuminated, with strong bright light. This miniature set was photographed to create a striking cover image that feels both modern and timeless, echoed by the bold typography.

Maciek Polak‘s highly detailed image is printed on layers of glass to give it a sense of luminous richness and depth.

Sophie Feige‘s illustrations are created for a children’s book. Sophie made seven different sets, each of which were lit and photographed to tell the story. These incredibly detailed images offer a visual adventure as we discover the complexities hidden within.