SECRETS TO SUCCESS: ILLUSTRATION AND CHILDREN’S BOOKS INDUSTRY EVENT

SATURDAY 23rd JUNE 
VENUE: Toynbee Studios Theatre, Arts Admin Lecture Theatre, 28 Commercial Street, London, E1 6A. Time: 10.00 - 17.30

Secrets to Success is an intensive one-day event held at Toynbee Studios Theatre that gives artists the opportunity to learn all the essential information needed for working in children’s book illustration today. Presentations, case studies and talks are given by a wide range of experts with specialist knowledge including career talks by prolific illustrator Tony Ross, best known for the Horrid Henry series, Alex T Smith, who was shortlisted for this year’s Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, and Booktrust best new illustrators 2011 Chris Haughton and Claudia Boldt.

Topics include Deirdre McDermott, Editor and Art Director at Walker Books who talks about what agents look for in a potential illustrator and what they want to see from submissions; Philippa Milnes Smith, Managing Director of LAW Agency, discusses how to work with designers and art directors, whilst consultant Fig Taylor explains what’s needed in the portfolio of a children’s book illustrator.

The event, organised by the Association of Illustrators (AOI), is open to illustration students and working illustrators at different stages of their professional career as well as anyone with a lively curiosity about the industry.

Non Members £55

SCBWI Members £45

AOI Members £40

Non Member Students (Please send proof of status) £35

AOI Member Students £30

How to Book: Securely online at www.theaoi.com/events, or call 020 7324 7224 to pay by credit or debit card

Further details on AOI membership and activities available from: www.aoi.com

For further information , please contact: Paul Smith, press@theaoi.com phone: 020 7613 4328

Notes to editors : The Association of Illustrators (AOI) is a non-profit trade association with a membership that includes freelance illustrators, agents, clients, students and colleges. Established in 1973, it is the leading body to represent illustrators in the UK and campaigns for illustrators’ rights, continually working to increase the professional standing of illustrators, commercially and artistically. The AOI works to improve contract content and contracting practice extended to illustrators by commissioners. It publishes a quarterly magazine, VAROOM! and produces the annual ‘Images’ competition and touring exhibition, now in its 36th year, which celebrates the best in contemporary British illustration.

Association of Illustrators, 2nd Floor, Back Building, 150 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3AT

Varoom 18 Launch and Event at The Foyles Gallery

PRESS RELEASE May 2012

ILLUSTRATION, ENTERTAINMENT AND THE AGE OF DISTRACTION PANEL EVENT AND LAUNCH OF VAROOM! MAGAZINE ISSUE 18 : THE ENTERTAINMENT ISSUE

AT THE FOYLES GALLERY ON THURSDAY 14th JUNE

VENUE: The Foyles Gallery, Third Floor, 113 – 119 Charing Cross Rd London, WC2H 0EB

TIME: 18.30

In an era of social networking, texting and ‘always-on’ smartphone culture, the way we access and consume our entertainment is rapidly evolving. To coincide with the launch of Varoom issue 18: The Entertainment Issue at Foyles Gallery in London on 14th June, three distinguished panellists from different areas of the industry will discuss illustration work, that in the age of ‘fast food’ media has taken the idea of entertainment in bold new directions. The debate is chaired by Varoom’s editor, John O’Reilly.

The panellists are:
Emma Hayley - publisher

Emma is Director of SelfMadeHero, a new independent publishing company specialising in original graphic novels, who aims “to create a publishing house relevant in the 21st century, developing new inspirational concepts and publishing across multi-platforms.”

SelfMadeHero’s latest books include a version of Freud’s classic case study, The Wolf Man, and When David Lost His Voice, a personal account of a family dealing with a father’s battle with cancer.

Grant Orchard - filmmaker

Grant is the director of animated short film ‘Morning Stroll’ which received both Oscar and BAFTA nominations, and won the Jury Prize at Sundance. This hugely successful interpretation of a story in a collection edited by Paul Auster about a chicken going for a walk, was entirely self-funded by Studio AKA, an animated production company whose clients include Guinness, BBC, and Lloyds TSB.

Adam Simpson - illustrator

With its five different covers representing each of the Best Film nominees, the BAFTA Film Awards 2011 brochure is now a highly desirable and collectible item. Adam who created the iconic images talks about the project’s intense deadlines and how to slow down and encapsulate a movie into a still, single image.

Admission is free, but pre-booking required. For further information and bookings, please email: events@foyles.co.uk

Varoom! is the award-winning, quarterly magazine which celebrates the cultural, political and social ideas in contemporary illustration from around the world.

Varoom! 18 is available from selected book shops and can be purchased online from: www.varoom-mag.com

If you have any press enquiries and image requests, please contact:

Paul Smith - press@theaoi.com tel: 020 7613 4328

Note for editors:
The Association of Illustrators (AOI) is a non-profit trade association with a membership that includes freelance illustrators, agents, clients, students and colleges. Established in 1973, it is the only organisation to represent illustrators and campaign for their rights in the UK and has successfully increased the reputation of illustration as a profession as well as improved the commercial and ethical conditions of employment. It produces the annual ‘Images’ prize and touring exhibition, now in its 36th year, which celebrates the best in contemporary British illustration. www.theaoi.com

Association of Illustrators, 2nd Floor, Back Building, 150 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3AT

Rod Hunt interview on Escape from Illustration Island

Rod Hunt does a great interview, covering his own work, his  vigourous marketing practice, as well as his role as chairman of the Association of illustrators. A useful and entertaining listen