Illustration Graduate Publishes First Book

Illustration graduate Ella Kasperowicz has written and illustrated her own book entitled #SquadGoals, published by Octopus Books and stocked by Waterstones and Amazon.

Ella's vibrant and unique gift book explores the world of female friendships, delving into friend archetypes, the group chat, shared hobbies and what holds a friendship together.

Ella was presented with the opportunity to become published by an editorial director at Octopus Books, who spotted her work at the D&AD New Blood exhibition organised by her third year Illustration tutors. Ella then received an email shortly after her graduation last year, inviting her to London for a meeting to consider some ideas for a published book.

After a discussion regarding themes for the content, Ella and the publishers settled on the idea of a gift book centred around friendship, and #SquadGoals became the finished article.

Ella commented: "It's so surreal! All my friends, family, old school teachers and work colleagues are so supportive and proud of me which is amazing. I hope that readers are inspired to make plans with their own squad, while remembering the good times and of course have a laugh at the many silly things that my friends and I get up to!"

Much of the book's content is based on Ella's own first-hand experience of being fully immersed in a friendship group, but also has a touch of the Falmouth lifestyle added to the mix.

Ella reflects: "Living in Falmouth was an absolute dream for writing this book. Waking up to sea views, going for drinks at Gylly after a day in the studio, walks on the beach. How can I forget the fun times when this book wouldn't have been possible without them!"

It's not just the coastal town life that Ella credits for sharpening her skills and providing inspiration. She feels that studying Illustration at Falmouth taught her about the practicality and patience required in the industry.

She explained: "The course not only taught me the idea generation skills required to get my crazy imagination down on paper, but taught me about colour, composition and gave the professional practical skills to become a freelance illustrator.

"I owe everything to the tutors, who are relentlessly supportive and knowledgeable. They work ridiculously hard for the students and ensure everyone creates work that is to the best of their ability."