The AOI was established in 1973 to advance and protect illustrator’s rights and encourage professional standards. The AOI is a non-profit making trade association dedicated to its members’ professional interests and the promotion of illustration.
This one-day event aims to provide artists with all the essential information needed for working in the field of children’s book illustration. Presentations and talks are given by a wide range of experts with specialist knowledge including prolific illustrator Tony Ross of Horrid Henry fame, Alex T Smith who was shortlisted for this year’s Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and Booktrust Best New Illustrators 2011 Chris Haughton and Claudia Boldt.
Topics under discussion include what publishers look for in a potential illustrator, what agents want to see from submissions, the portfolio of the children’s book illustrator and the inspiration behind some of the UK’s bestselling picture books.
This 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.
Secret London: the Serco Prize for Illustration 2012 Exhibitors announced
London Transport Museum, in partnership with the Association of Illustrators (AOI), is delighted to announce that the top 50 entries to the Serco Prize for Illustration have been selected for this year’s exhibition, which will take place at the London Transport Museum that will open Tuesday 13 November and run until Monday 10 December 2012.
Blackfriars Bridge by Mike Stones
This year’s panel of judges included:
Iain Adamson, Contract Director, Serco (Cycle Hire)
Heng Khoo, Managing Director, Association Of Illustrators
Derek Brazell, Projects Manager, Association Of Illustrators
Carl Rush, Creative Director, Crush Creative
Angus Montgomery, Editor, Design Week
Brian Grimwood, Managing Director, Central Illustration Agency
Sarah Jones, Design Manager, Royal Mail
Chris MacLeod, Director of Group Marketing, TfL
Michael Walton, Head of Trading, London Transport Museum
Entrants were asked to address the theme Secret London and create illustrations that explore the hidden side of the city. Many entries depicted little known or unusual aspects of the Capital’s history, culture, characters and communities - past or present.
Illustration, Entertainment and the Age of Distraction
Thursday 14 June, 18.30
The Foyles Gallery, Third Floor, 113-119 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0EB
In an era of social networking, texting and ‘always-on’ smartphone culture, the way we access and consume our entertainment is rapidly evolving. To launch Varoom issue 18: The Entertainment Issue, at Foyle’s Bookshop in London, 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.
BD and Comics Passion festival at the Institut Français 24 – 27 May 2012
The second edition of the festival is even more ambitious this year, with thirty events over four days, including talks, live drawing sessions, films, workshops for kids and exhibitions. Highlights of the festival include Kevin O’Neill and Pat Mills’ talk on “London and other realities”, featuring their fantasy and reality views of London in comics, a conversation between Jonathan Ross and Tom Gatti about Jonathan’s love for comics and bandes dessinées, and a drawing jam between Guy Delisle and Tom Gauld. For the full programme of events check www.bdandcomicspassion.co.uk
AOI member benefits
AOI members can get a concession rate by quote “AOI” whilst booking on the phone, or select "concession" online and say they're from the AOI when they get there.
Keep your eyes peeled for a twitter competition to win a free “fan pass” giving you access to all of Saturday’s events. Check @theaoi for details.
Places are limited so book online or by phone on: 020 7871 3515 The Festival runs form Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 May 2012
Advance Notification of Images 37: Call for Entries
As we prepare for our fortieth anniversary in 2013, the AOI is reviewing Images to ensure that we continue to deliver the most innovative and significant Illustration awards programme in the future.
To enable these changes to take place the call for entries, usually in May, has been delayed and will take place later in the year.
We are pleased to announce that Images 36 exhibition will be taking place in October. Artists whose work has been selected will be notified in June. Fuller details will be announced nearer the time along with news of significant future developments for the AOI .
Saturday 23 June, 10.00 am - 5.30 pm
As we prepare for our fortieth anniversary in 2013, the AOI is reviewing Images to ensure that we continue to deliver the most innovative and significant Illustration awards programme in the future.