This outcome forms one part of a UK wide research project instigated by Burgess, in which he hopes to open the debate across the platforms of publishing, radio, conferences and symposia. The twelve-page article titled 'Beards, Brighton and Beardsley, four generations of illustrators' ran in current issue number seven.
Varoom magazine, edited by Adrian Shaughnessy and art directed by Non Format, is the journal of illustration and made images published by the Association of illustrators. Every member of the AOI receives a copy as part of their membership but the magazine is also widely available in high street bookshops. This issue featured original cover artwork by Jasper Goodall, Senior Lecturer in Illustration at the University of Brighton.
The article took the form of a discussion between four tutors linked to the MDes Illustration course at the University, Paul Burgess, Jasper Goodall, John Vernon Lord and Jim Stoten. All four have either taught and / or studied at Brighton on the illustration course and have intimate knowledge of the course from both sides of the fence.
The four illustrators met at John Lord’s studio in Ditchling, Sussex where they shared their wealth of experience in the profession gained at four very different periods of time over the last thirty years. The four spent the day discussing the craft of illustration, teaching, education, the direction their discipline was heading and other aspects of professional life. The discussion was recorded and later transcribed by Paul Burgess and the findings were then presented in Varoom magazine and on the publication’s website in a longer format.
The investigation sought to unite four different generations of illustrators, set up a regular debate concerned with current practice, and to decide how discussion and research could further advance developments of units of study within the current MDes Illustration and Graphic Design course.
Is the term ‘illustration’ still a valid title? Discussion ranged from inspiration, current practice within the profession, differences between fine art and illustration and where this line is drawn. Despite an age range between twenty-seven and sixty-nine, all four had surprisingly congruent views on contemporary illustration.
The article was well received by both students and professionals alike, and there are plans to re-create the format of the discussion, live with an audience of both students and professionals in the Sallis Benney theatre later in the year.
Paul Burgess is a Senior lecturer in Graphic Design & Illustration, School of Arts & Communication.
