This summer our course hosted an online webinar discussing studying Illustration at Middlesex University and how to prepare yourself for working as a professional in the industry. the talk gave viewers a look at current student work as well as touching on the practises of our staff and graduates;
The webinar featured lectures LOUISE WEIR and MARTIN URSELL, graduating 3rd year student LOU KISS and 2nd year student THOMAS ATKINS plus our former GAA and high flying graduate SHAZLEEN KHAN.
We are delighted to hear that 2020 graduate TYRELL OSBOURNE is one of the up-and-coming comics creators to be selected for Self Made Hero’s Graphic Anthology Programme. The programme is designed to find, develop, publish, and promote emerging comic-book artists from diverse backgrounds from across the UK. As well as receiving mentoring, feedback and masterclasses to help them create a graphic short story over the 12-week programme, the chosen participants will have their outcomes included in Catalyst, an anthology to be published by Self Made Hero. Amount the mentors is our Children’s Books and Graphic Novel’s MA lecture Woodrow Phoenix.
Find More of Tyrell’s work online;
2021 graduate LOU KISS as recently been commissioned to work on a number of projects including producing a series of editorial projects for one of the leading Hungarian (political) magazines; 168 Óra. The latest issue’s theme was ‘hatred’, taking a look at Hungary’s increasingly tense political situation and the rise of smear campaigns, political character assassinations and weaponisation social media in the run-up to the coming elections;
Lou also created assets for Up Music Management Budapest to be featured on their social media;
Find more of Lou’s work online;
Graduate CHARLOT KRISTENSEN is one of the artists to be featured in illustrator Dapo Adeola’s authorial debut HEY YOU! Published by Penguin, this groundbreaking picture book is a lyrical, inspirational exploration of growing up Black, written by award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, and brought to life by some of the most exciting Black illustration talents working today;
And there’s more work from Charlot in the pipeline- next autumn will see the release of Bessie the Motorcycle Queen, a picture book about Bessie Springfield, the first African-American woman to ride across the United States solo, and was one of the few civilian motorcycle dispatch riders for the US Army during World War II;
Find more of Charlot’s work online;
We are delighted to share the news that graduate and Visiting Lecturer BEN HENDY is now a fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. Ben, who has taught printmaking and bookbinding on the course, specialises in creating textured, finely detailed lino-prints and has been helping co-ordinate events for the society.
Find more of Ben’s work online;
Graduate and GAA SHAZLEEN KHAN is currently running a kickstarter to fund the printing of the third volume of their award-winning webcomic BUUZZA!!. The campaign met it’s goal in 15 hours and is still going strong!
BUUZA!! is a comic about found family, diaspora and religion, set in an urban fantasy 90’s middle east and central asia in which a misdialed number leads to an unexpected, long distance romance. It is available to read on both tapas and webtoons and was the winner of Broken Frontier’s best webcomic of 2019.
Shazleen was also invited to speak at the fifth annual Open the Door festival as part of a panel with graphic novelist Kate Charlesworth (Sensible Footwear) about the importance of representation and seeing yourself in comics and graphic novels, and about how queer visibility helps with finding and creating a sense of community.
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As well as providing the promotional artwork for this year’s digital Glasgow Comic Con, Shazleen will also be part of a panel discussing webcomics on Friday June 18th;
Find more of Shazleen’s work online;
Graduate DIONNE KITCHING worked with Pooleyville to illustrate PASS THE PARCEL, a public art project in Milton Keynes by Walter Jack Studio. As well as Dionne’s illustrations the piece also features short stories in response to the artworks, interviews with the artist and photographs;
Find more of Dionne’s work online;
Graduate ROBIN RICHARDSON is one of the artists contributing to Z2’s latest graphic novel anthology FREDDIE MERCURY: LOVER OF LIFE, SINGER OF SONGS which is now available for pre-order;
‘For the first time in comics format, Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs will be a journey through Freddie’s life; from his childhood in Zanzibar, through his formative years in England, to becoming the rock star known and loved by millions around the globe. The story is told in his own words, with each chapter giving a glimpse into the many facets of his life.
Written by Tres Dean (All Time Low Presents: Young Renegades), ‘Lover of Life, Singer of Songs’ will give true insight into the many experiences that helped shape the young Farrokh Bulsara and his compelling existence, both on and off stage—that was the life of Freddie Mercury, Lover of Life, Singer of Songs.’
Find more of Robin’s work online;
Graduate and AOI Award winning illustrator ALEX FOSTER has collaborated with DOMESTIKA to create an online course on creating unique urban portraits;
Alex was also recently commissioned to create the cover for Intasca Magazine in an issue discussing the stability of banks;
Find more of Alex’s work online;
Graduate ELLA GINN recently worked with creative agency Hue & Cry to create this floral, wood cut style design for Trash and Treasure’s Spiced Botanical Rum;
Find more of Ella’s work online;
Graduate and GAA SHAZLEEN KHAN recently illustrated the cover for Amra Sabic-El-Rayess’ YA novel THE CAT I NEVER NAMED. Published by Bloomsbury, this memoir tells the story of a Muslim teen struggling to survive in the midst of the Bosnian genocide–and the stray cat who protected her family through it all.
Find more of Shazleen’s work online;
Graduate MIKE O’BRIEN was one of the artists selected to work on Canterbury Cathedral’s BECKET 2020 project. As part of their celebration of Thomas Becket Mike was commissioned to create a graphic novel with writer Liam J. O’Driscoll adapting the story of Ralph de Longvilla as told in one of the cathedral’s Miracle Windows;
You can read the full story HERE. This comic, along with a number of others will be released in a graphic novel by the Cathedral later this year.
Find more of Mike’s work online;
Here’s a look at some recently released and upcoming books featuring work by BA and MA graduates;
Graduate JAMES OSES (who now teaches on Middlesex’s Foundation Course) recently illustrated British Cheese on Toast, a new release from HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP featuring over 100 recipes of the classic dish by Steve Parker.
Find more of James’ work online;
As well as our Illustration BA, Middlesex also runs an MA specialising in Children’s Books and Graphic Novels. This year sees the release of graduate FLORIAN GROSSET’S The Chagos Berayal which she wrote and illustrated as her Final Major Project for the course;
Through the book Florian examines the poverty and discrimination suffered by the Chagos Islanders when their eviction by the British enforced US military control of their Indian Ocean home. It charts the present-day diaspora of Chagossians, their fight for the right to return through protests and court cases, and the different strategies still being used to keep them away from their land.
The Chagos Betrayal is available for pre-order now.
Also available for pre-order is the latest picture book illustrated by 2013 graduate DANIEL DUNCAN;
Written by Mara Rockliff and published by Penguin Random House, The Girl Who Could Fix Anything tells the story of Beatrice Shilling, a woman whose brilliance and mechanical expertise helped Britain win World War II through her ingenious engineering.
Find more of Dan’s work online;
In this post we’ll be looking at some recent publishing announcements from our graduates;
2019 graduate ISHAA LOBO (Who recently signed with Andrea Brown Literary) will be illustrating Viking’s 2022 release THE MYSTERY OF THE LOVE LIST. Written by Sarah Glenn March, the book tells the story of a lonely porcupine looking for love;
Find more of Ishaa’s work online;
Alumni and Graduate Academic Assistant SHAZLEEN KHAN will be illustrating middle grade graphic novel SAVING SUNSHINE due to be published in 2023 by FIRST SECOND BOOKS;
Find more of Shazleen’s work online;
Finally 2020 graduate ROBIN RICHARDSON is now being represented by Maria Vicente on behalf of P.S LITERARY AGENCY so hopefully we’ll be hearing some more announcement news soon!
Find more of Robin’s work online;
BA Graduate MATT INGRAM was commissioned to create the title sequence for Sky Cinema’s 2021 ‘To Olivia’. The period drama covers the year Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal lost their daughter Olivia to measles encephalitis.
Matt worked with Atticus Film & Television to create the animated intro;
“John Hay, the director, wanted an animated title sequence, inspired by the colours of the 1960s and the work of Saul Bass, to describe the life of Patricia Neal and Roald Dahl. The title sequence begins with events that occurred during the early years of their respective lives, up to the point they met, moved to Great Missenden and then on to 1961, where the film begins.”
Find more of Matt’s work online;
In this post we’ll be looking at some recent editorial work by some of our alumni for Vice, The Financial Times and more!
Graduate ROBYN FOREMAN was recently commissioned by VICE to illustrate Hannah Ewens article The ‘Hard Times Gives Us Good Music’ Myth Doesn’t Work In 2020 which compares Britain’s current economic climate to the swinging 60s, 70s punk or 80s and 90s rave culture.
Find more of Robyn’s work online;
Graduate YUNROO TAN was one of 10 illustrators featured in New Naratif’s article Hindsight Is 2020 where each was asked to respond to the personal impact of the pandemic and picture large-scale protests for democracy.
Find more of Yunroo’s work online;
Graduate DIONNE KITCHING was commissioned by the Financial time to illustrate their article Line Of Fire: what it is to be a man in today’s British army. The article examines the military’s changing role and need for its culture of masculinity to evolve with the times.
Find more of Dionne’s work online;
Graduate and Teaching Assistant ALEX MOORE was commissioned by GOAL to illustrate Rik Sharma’s write up on Lionel Messi’s crumbling relationship with Barcelona FC; Ronaldo escaped Real Madrid at the right time but Messi’s Barcelona empire is crumbling
Find more of Alex’s work online;
In this post we’ll be looking at some work by course alumni including an interactive exhibition with animations and illustrations by AMBER COOPER-DAVIES, branding work by ELLA GINN and 2020 graduate ELISSE VAHI’s first picture book.
ANIMAL STORIES
Graduate AMBER COOPER-DAVIES created a series of animated images for Hounslow Visual Arts virtual exhibition ANIMAL STORIES. The project follows Chiswick House Menagerie from 19th century through to the present day, exploring how the communities relationship to animals has shaped Hounslow and those who live there. The intriguing collection of stories is told through the memory of local people and research of historical records and archives.
The project features a series of new stories extensively researched and written by Alistair Cartwright, and colourful images and stop motion animations by Amber Cooper-Davies, both of whom were selected by members of the Hounslow Exhibitions Group, which includes local people, artists and library staff.
Find more of Amber’s work online;
MALT AND ROSE
Having worked for two years as an in-house designer, graduate ELLA GINN is now a freelance illustrator creating digital and traditional work inspired by nature. She was recently worked with the creative agency Agence MonograM to produce this branding for Bitros’ Malt & Roses beer;
Britos Malt & Roses beer
Find more of Ella’s work online;
PILLE STORIES
2020 graduate ELLISE VAHI has illustrated and publisher her first picture book. ‘Pille Stories: Pille and the Upside Down Day‘ (written by Evelyn Vahi) is available now from Estonia’s Apollo and Rahvaraamat bookstores with a sequel due out this month.
Find more of Eliise’ work online;
