"As our visual language evolves, the playing field is levelling. Graphic designers, sculptors, painters, creative developers, and even musicians amorphously meander across different parts of our creative industries. As a consequence, I often wonder what the term 'illustration' term now means. Maybe as a medium it might need to do more than vocationalise aesthetics and cultivate a border palate of profundity for its own survival."
Michael Salu
Artistic Director of Granta Magazine
2012 Varoom
When I meet people and tell them I am studying illustration the usual response I get is, "What...Drawing?".
This is one of the most frustrating things I have come into contact with in the past 22 years.
However, it is difficult to explain to someone not in the field exactly what Illustration is due to the fact that there are a range of different opportunities for work these days. In the past an illustrator would merely summarise a piece of text, but these days illustration is used to make almost everything. Everywhere you go there are pictures and colour and animation (which is just an animated illustration) so as broad as the term is, it allows for experimentation and fun.
I think it's really exciting having the opportunity to play with all the different realms of illustration, old processes and new. I especially love combining the two. Pushing the boundaries is the only way of getting anywhere with an art form, so trying new things should always be an option to people.
I don't think there is a need for a name change as suggested in the above quote, as I don't think it matters what its called. What matters is you and your talents. And to illustrate is to explain. As long as your work is there and has a meaning behind it, it is an illustration in my eyes.
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