Laura Mallaghan Illustration

The world of the printed word may be in decline as digital technology expands. However, this is not a total decline and may be an essential, and even complimentary evolution. After all, print has largely replaced illustration as members of societies have become more literate. Books, papers etc are stable and reliable - not prone to the unreliable nature of internet connections. They are tactile (consider also pop-up books for children) can be shared and sold on. On the other hand, digital is immediate, fast and can be manipulated to improve access. Thousands of ebooks on one slim devices. However, they are knowledge, taxable, a tax on print and digital imitate and complement each other - e.g. ‘paper white’ readers. Digital presents endless possibilities for illustrators and both print and digital are evolving and may have different purposes. They back each other up illustrators should embrace both formats. Audio/taped books have not replaced vinyl. They can coexisting harmony so l...

Illustrators are essential to society. Historically and in some modern societies images produced by illustrators inform the illiterate as well as “fire the imagination” (Shaughnessy). Images are powerful tools of communication (Grace Helmer & Charlotte Mei Jones) of ideas as well as recording society and behaviour. In a visual world they inform, entertain, express the imagination and heighten experiences and emotions. Empire State Building poster by Brian James  Being an illustrator not only means communicator and recorder, but also communicator and recorder of self. The rewards can be immense – being able to represent information as you perceive it – and get paid for it. A dream job. (Grace Helmer & Charlotte Mei Jones) My thoughts of illustration mean that it is anything from drawings and printing to screenprint, monoprint, etching print, etc. There are many kinds of roles which relate to illustration, for instance, there’s cartoonist, designer, artist, gamer...