Falmouth graduates shortlisted for AOI World Illustration Awards 2022

Four Falmouth University graduates have been shortlisted by the Association of Illustrators at the 2022 World Illustration Awards. 

Rachael Saunders, Wyn Godding, Jessica Meyrick and Abby Mundell have all made the cut ahead of this year’s awards. 

It is fantastic news to hear that our alumni continue to achieve success in the World Illustration Awards.

The World Illustration Awards celebrate the fantastic work being made by illustrators across the globe and the competition also encourages the growth of new talent within the industry.  

Nigel Owen, Illustration BA(Hons) Course Leader at Falmouth said: "It is fantastic news to hear that our alumni continue to achieve success in the World Illustration Awards. It’s a major achievement to be shortlisted in such a prestigious international competition.

"Abby Mundell, Wyn Godding, Jessica Meyrick and Rachael Saunders are following in the footsteps of previous student winners of this competition’s predecessor, the AOI IMAGES Awards, Irfana Biviji and Nick Mott. Fingers crossed for all four of our talented alumni for the final judging stage in November!"

Hampshire-based Illustrator Rachael Saunders – whose partial client list includes the likes of Netflix, Penguin Random House and The National Gallery – was shortlisted for her entry ‘Patterned Panoramic of Krka National Park, Croatia’.  

Rachael’s incredible work was inspired by the flora and fauna seen during a trip to the park on her honeymoon last year. 

Rachael said: “My favourite thing about this project is reflecting on its challenges. The sheer scale and level of detail pushed my skills to the limit and tested my tenacity. I am so proud to have completed it. 

“I am excited for my work to be celebrated amongst so many other talented creatives in one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world.” 

Jessica’s entry, an editorial piece for Refinery29, looks at de-stigmatising the social anxiety experienced after lockdown, while Abby’s imagined magazine cover explores the idea of ‘Teraanga’ - depicting the “bigheartedness embodied by the people of Senegal”.  

My studies at Falmouth taught me to think conceptually and focus on how my work fits in to specific industries, this has been invaluable to me as an illustrator.

Wyn’s entry is a speculative project based on a New York Times article titled ‘Your Face Is Not Your Own’. On receiving the news that he’d been shortlisted, he said: “Discovering that I had made the WIA Shortlist was incredibly encouraging. I think going from the support of Falmouth University to being on my own as a freelancer was a huge transition, so the award was admittedly very validating.  

“My studies at Falmouth taught me to think conceptually and focus on how my work fits in to specific industries, this has been invaluable to me as an illustrator.” 

We wish all our graduates the best of luck for the final hurdle.