Illustration Research Methods

Shortlisted for the 2021 British Book Design and Production Awards for the Best Jacket / Cover Design

For years illustration has lacked a strong critical history in which to frame it, with academics and media alike assessing it as part of design rather than a discipline in its own right. Illustration Research Methods addresses this void and adds to a fast-emerging discipline, establishing a lexicon that is specific to discussing contemporary illustration practice and research.

The chapters are broken down into the various roles that exist within the industry and which illustration research can draw from, such as 'Reporting' and 'Education'. In doing so, users are able to explore a diverse range of disciplines that are rich in critical theory and can map these existing research methodologies to their own study and practice.

Supported by a wealth of case studies from international educators, student projects sit alongside those of world-renowned illustrators. Thus allowing users the opportunity to put what they have learnt into context and offering insight into the thinking and techniques behind some of illustrations’ greats.

Short-listed for The British Book Design and Production Awards 2021 (United States)

“I've been waiting for a book that illustrates how valuable illustration is to art, culture, politics, science - well, society as a whole ... An essential volume.”

A treasure chest of ideas, insights, new terminology and eye-opening case studies ... It will make a vital contribution to the discipline's discourse. Rick Poynor, University of Reading, UK
I've been waiting for a book that illustrates how valuable illustration is to art, culture, politics, science – well, society as a whole ... An essential volume. Steven Heller, School of Visual Arts, NY, USA

Rachel Gannon is an illustrator, educator and Associate Professor and Head of School of Design at Kingston University, UK. She has written and presented for Varoom Magazine, Illustration Research and Association of Illustrators Journal. Her practice as an illustrator professionally has seen her work for The Guardian, The Natural History Museum, Tate Modern and Condé Nast. She has worked at numerous educational institutions including Camberwell College of the Arts, Norwich University of the Arts and University of East London, and is currently External Examiner for the BA Graphic Design and Illustration course at Liverpool John Moores University.

Mireille Fauchon is an illustrator, educator and researcher. She is currently Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Image Practice for the BA Illustration and Visual Media course at the London College of Communications, University of the Arts London, UK. Specialisms include archival interpretation, visual storytelling and narrative research with emphasis on anecdotal storytelling and the informal preservation of history within sites of experience, particularly narratives deemed insignificant or inaccessible. Mireille is author of Illustration, Narrative and The Suffragette: An Illustrated Enquiry also published by Bloomsbury (2024).

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