Future Canvas

‘Yet as the digital revolution gathers momentum, traditional print publishing is being forced to change. In this new age of austerity, as chill winds blow through publishers' offices, we need illustrators of the calibre of EH Shepard more than ever.

‘In the digital future, texts will be annotated visually, animated and illustrated like never before'

As the Kindle's dread grip on digital publishing is challenged by tablet computers and android smart phones, with their bright screens and high resolution, the need for illustration is growing.’

– Chris Riddell, writing for the Guardian, August 2012

I don’t think illustrators will become animators in the traditional sense, but they will become motion graphics designers, or maybe we could call ourselves motion illustrators. Schools are already teaching motion graphics to illustration students with options to participate in animation modules. I think it is our duty to stay relevant, although it is true that not everyone would be able to pick it up but the world seems to be going in that direction.

Illustration and art is already evolving rapidly. Innovative ideas and concepts are very important to contemporary illustration and art. It’s not all about who can draw the most life like picture but who has the next exciting idea that no one has thought of before. As a contemporary illustrator my future canvases ’s and practices could include digital work, animation and motion so that would include working with animation software which I have never done before. It seems like an exciting concept to bring your still illustrations to life and create movement and to add audio and sound.

As an illustration student I see many opportunities in art and design and am excited by the different prospects. I would love to create and illustrate classic children’s paper books, however I also see lots of different platforms I could achieve this with. For example interactive walk in spaces that tell a story, for example life size interactive doll’s houses where each room is a narrative. I also would love to collaborate with fashion designers, blogs and magazines, as fashion and art are so closely linked. I have seen huge cosmetic brands collaborate with artists and illustrators to come up with illustrated packaging and advertising, for example MAC and Topshop make-up both worked will illustrators to create sell out limited edition products. These products looked different, they looked fun and creative, and they looked very unique. Television and film productions also require art directors and designers and to be involved in media would be extremely exciting and challenging. I have seen many beautiful collaborations containing strong imagery that have really inspired me. 

 Hannah Deary