Pushing the envelope: Falmouth graduate designs Royal Mail Christmas stamps

What was the most valuable lesson you learned as a student at Falmouth? 

I was surrounded by incredibly talented people during my time at Falmouth, which was both inspiring and absolutely terrifying. I realised that in order to do my best work I had to develop a protective barrier between myself and comparing my work to others. This has been one of my most important lessons in life and is a lesson I need to remind myself of often! 

Whilst at Falmouth, I discovered that my best work was often done when I was being playful and not self-conscious or overthinking. I think having a degree of detachment to your work is healthy, especially as an illustrator when you are working with other people and having to edit and change your art to fit with an art director’s vision. It’s a balance between having your artistic integrity but also being free and detached from your work.  

I've always loved illustrating fairytales, ballet, myths and have been interested in spirituality, and now I’m doing exactly that for my profession. I spend my days illustrating operas, mermaids and holy stories and I’m having a very happy time doing it.

How do you feel Falmouth helped set you up for life after university? 

I didn’t at all enjoy the part of third year where we had to organise meetings with people in the industry and start showing our work and networking – but this was absolutely the most useful part of the course in terms of developing a career as an illustrator.  

Asking for advice from the people I admired was incredibly helpful to me and helped my work develop. I realised that if I wanted a career as an illustrator, my work had to be seen by the right people. Networking and being able to talk about your work are just as important as the art itself.    

What one piece of advice would you give to aspiring illustrators? 

Make art about the things you love and that make you happy, because your joy for the subject will shine through and that is where you will make your best work. I've always loved illustrating fairytales, ballet, myths and have been interested in spirituality, and now I’m doing exactly that for my profession. I spend my days illustrating operas, mermaids and holy stories and I’m having a very happy time doing it.  

Also, take care of your mental health. There is a cliché of having to suffer for your art, but don’t do it! I do a lot of things I need to do to make sure I’m feeling good, and I consider this an essential part of my professional practice. Take good care of yourself physically and mentally so that you are in the best space to express your creativity. 

Find out more about studying Illustration at Falmouth