The session is open to those based in the UK and looking to get into illustration, with no more than one year of experience in the industry. You will need to have something to show, but don’t worry if this isn’t a polished portfolio.

The session will take place over Zoom on Thursday 29th April 2021, from 5pm to 8pm GMT. There are only a limited number of places available, so make sure you sign up to register your interest by 16th April.

The event itself is fast-paced: In breakout rooms of three emerging creatives and one reviewer, you will get the opportunity to show and discuss work, and get advice and feedback. This will then rotate, so you get to meet several reviewers through the evening.

Lou Bones, illustration and animation agent, Jelly London
As an agent for award-winning artist management agency Jelly London, Lou represents and supports a host of world-class illustrators and animators from all over the globe. Jelly itself was founded over 15 years ago, and boasts a roster that includes Marylou Favre and Kelly Anna. Before that, Lou worked at the Association of Illustrators, where she helped a huge number of illustrators build their careers.

Read more about Jelly here.

Raj Dhunna, illustrator
With a bold and colourful body of work that includes collaborations with the likes of Adidas, Nike, The Face, BBC and The Guardian, Raj has built an impressive illustration career since graduating from Birmingham City University in 2014. In addition to illustrating, Raj also works as freelance digital designer, and has experience of being a tutor – with years of experience in helping students get the most out of their work and studies.

See more from Raj here.


Ciara Phelan, co-founder and creative director, Grand Matter
With a background in design, Ciara initially built her career as an illustrator before co-founding artist agency Grand Matter in 2017. Now representing illustrators and makers from all over the globe, Ciara is also one of the founding forces behind Agents for Change – an initiative on a mission to create a more diverse industry, powered by leading figures across the illustration world. Launched in 2021, the platform offers advice, events and resources for under-represented people of all ages.

See more from Grand Matter here, and Agents for Change here.


Will Knight, art director, It’s Nice That
As an art director at It’s Nice That, Will works with a close-knit creative team across editorial projects and commercial partnerships, collaborating with a wide range of both emerging and established talent. Having graduated from Brighton University with a BA in graphic design in 2016, Will has also maintained his freelance practice, previously working with clients including Vans, Island Records, Universal Music and Rapha.

Stephen Middleton, Creative Director, Art&Graft
Independent, award-winning agency Art&Graft is known for crafting distinctive visual campaigns for forward-thinking brands including Facebook, Apple, Virgin Media and Google. In his role as creative director, Stephen regularly works alongside illustrators, animators and independent creatives to produce acclaimed projects across branding and motion.

See more from Art&Graft here.

This session is open to students, grads, or those within the first year of a creative career. Please note you are only eligible to register if you are:

• Not in full-time creative work
• Within the first year of your career
• Based in the UK
• Aged 18 and over

Register your interest by midnight, 16th April via the link below.

Registering for this event does not guarantee a place. Those invited to attend will be emailed a week before the event, and will be asked to pay a £5 deposit. This is to confirm your attendance, and will be refunded after the session.

Attendees are selected based on their eligibility, so please be assured that if you are not invited, this is not a reflection of the quality of your work.

We hope to see you there!