Illustration Age: The Online Magazine for the Contemporary Illustration Community

Illustration Age is one of the most respected online publications dedicated to the art of illustration, serving the professional illustration community since 2010 with a combination of artist interviews, technique articles, industry news, and a curated showcase of exceptional contemporary illustration work. The publication covers the full range of illustration disciplines, from editorial and book illustration through character design, concept art, and advertising illustration, providing a comprehensive picture of the contemporary illustration field and the artists who are shaping it.

The publication's focus on contemporary illustration distinguishes it from resources that focus primarily on historical illustration or on the technical aspects of specific software and media. Illustration Age is interested in illustration as a professional practice and as a cultural form, engaging with the artists who are making the most interesting work today and with the industry contexts in which that work is created and distributed.

Artist Interviews

The artist interview content is the heart of Illustration Age and the area where the publication provides the most distinctive value. The interviews are conducted with professional illustrators across a range of disciplines and styles, providing insight into their working methods, creative philosophies, career paths, and the specific challenges and opportunities of professional illustration work.

The interviews are substantive and specific, engaging with the actual details of each artist's practice rather than offering generic inspirational content. Questions about specific technical approaches, material choices, client relationships, and career decisions produce answers that are genuinely informative for other illustrators who are navigating similar questions in their own practice.

The range of artists interviewed reflects the genuine diversity of contemporary illustration, covering artists working in traditional media alongside those working digitally, artists with established gallery careers alongside those working primarily in commercial contexts, and artists from a range of cultural backgrounds and geographic locations. This diversity makes the interview archive a genuinely representative picture of the contemporary illustration field rather than a narrow slice of it.

Industry News and Analysis

The industry news coverage keeps readers informed about developments in the illustration field, including changes in publishing, advertising, and other industries that employ illustrators, new platforms and opportunities for illustrators, and broader cultural and economic trends that affect the practice of professional illustration.

This industry context is valuable for illustrators who want to understand the environment in which they are working and to make informed decisions about their careers. Understanding how the illustration market is changing, which sectors are growing and which are contracting, and what new opportunities are emerging helps illustrators position themselves strategically rather than simply reacting to changes as they occur.

The analysis goes beyond simple news reporting to engage with the implications of industry developments for illustrators' careers and practices. Articles on topics including the impact of AI on illustration, changes in book publishing, and the evolution of editorial illustration provide the kind of thoughtful engagement with industry trends that helps illustrators think through the implications for their own work.

The Curated Showcase

The curated showcase of contemporary illustration work is one of the most valuable aspects of Illustration Age for artists who want to stay current with what is happening in the field. The showcase features exceptional work from illustrators across a range of disciplines and styles, selected for its quality, originality, and relevance to the contemporary illustration conversation.

The showcase functions as a discovery resource, introducing readers to artists whose work they may not have encountered through other channels. For illustrators who want to understand the range and quality of contemporary illustration work, and who want to see what their peers and competitors are producing, the showcase provides a curated view of the field that is more focused and editorially considered than the raw feed of social media.

Technique and Process Content

Beyond the interviews and industry coverage, Illustration Age publishes technique and process articles that cover specific aspects of illustration practice. These articles address topics including colour theory, composition, character design, narrative illustration, and the specific technical requirements of illustration for different media and contexts.

The technique content is written by professional illustrators with genuine expertise in the subjects they address, and it reflects the actual working knowledge of people who are actively practising the craft. This professional grounding distinguishes the technique content from more generic art instruction, providing insights that are specifically relevant to the challenges of professional illustration work.

The Newsletter

Illustration Age's newsletter provides regular updates on new content, featured artists, and industry news, making it easy to stay current with the publication's output without visiting the website regularly. The newsletter is one of the most reliable ways to stay connected with the contemporary illustration community and informed about developments in the field.

For illustrators who want to maintain awareness of what is happening in their industry and who want regular exposure to exceptional contemporary illustration work, the Illustration Age newsletter is one of the most valuable subscriptions available.

The Professional Community

Illustration Age has built a substantial professional community around its content, connecting illustrators, art directors, publishers, and other industry professionals who share an interest in the art and business of illustration. This community function is particularly valuable for illustrators who are building their professional networks and who want to engage with the broader illustration community beyond their immediate circle of contacts.

The publication's social media presence, particularly on Instagram, extends the community beyond the website, providing a space for ongoing engagement with the illustration community and regular exposure to new work from the artists and publications that Illustration Age covers.

The Bottom Line

Illustration Age is one of the most valuable online resources for professional and aspiring illustrators, providing substantive artist interviews, informed industry analysis, a curated showcase of exceptional contemporary work, and a connection to the broader professional illustration community. For illustrators who want to stay current with their field, to understand the industry context in which they are working, and to engage with the artists and ideas that are shaping contemporary illustration, Illustration Age is an essential resource.