Graphics tutor is long listed for the World Illustration Awards 2021

Graphic Communication and Illustration Tutor, Richard Johnson, has been selected amongst 500 illustrators and designers, out of 5,280 entries from around the world, to be long listed for the World Illustration Awards 2021.

The awards showcase the great work being made by illustrators all over the world today, and this high-profile competition is judged by distinguished professionals from the global illustration industry.

Richard entered his project ‘Crossings’ into the Professional Exploration category, and the image forms part of a body of work and visual investigation exploring the effect of war on refugee children, many of whom are forced into living lives separated from their families. Richard wanted to depict this narrative through visually sequencing fragments of memories and collections of thought. The work also aimed to develop Richard’s interest in free-form storyboarding.

This work is designed to visually document ongoing research and was used as part of a set of developmental illustrations for Richard’s portfolio, allowing the viewer to explore the imagery as a sequence of fragmented or connected events. The work is made by Richard from combinations of sketchbook drawings, digitally coloured and textured.

Speaking of being long listed, Richard explains that:

“I'm really delighted and honoured to have my work selected as part of the World Illustration Awards. Particularly as this project is very personal to me, developing part of my research proposal in the School of Design and Creative Arts at Loughborough University. 'Crossings' is an illustration taken from a body of personal work that explores interactive visual storytelling and the effects of war on children.”

Shortlisting will be taking place in September 2021 with the awards announced in October 2021.

Congratulations to Richard!