Imogen Bannigan is a illustrative student based in Sutton, not too far from the bustling London, UK. She attends UCA Farnham and studies a BA in Illustration, where alumni such as Tracey Emin and Zandra Rhodes attended. Having always been of a creative mind she plans to work 'a day job' in order to sustain her growing career in illustration after graduating in Summer.
When did you decide you wanted to study Illustration at University?
I knew I always wanted to do something where I could be drawing or creative but I didn't decide until I finished my foundation course. I could see a massive jump from the work I made in college compared to the short course and I knew that going to University would really help me develop my style.
Exploring Themes Within Illustration
So you’re in your final year at UCA Farnham, how are you feeling about graduating?
I’m really excited for the future and I can’t wait to graduate in July.
What was your experience of doing a BA degree in illustration?
I loved the experience so much, it really helped me find my style and helped me to realise I could actually have a career making art. I’ve made some great friends and learnt so many valuable things about the creative industry. I wouldn’t be as confident in my work as I am now if I hadn't gone to University.
"I wouldn’t be as confident in my work as I am now if I hadn't gone to University"
Did you ever experience creative burnout due to the pressure of succeeding during your course?
There were a few times over the three year duration of the course where I did feel burnout as there was a lot to do in a very short amount of time. Balancing three different briefs and my dissertation was tricky. But I managed to stay on top of it all by getting things completed early.
Do you have plans to go into a career in Illustration?
I would love to be an illustrator full time and earn a living from the art I make. I know that’s going to take time to reach that goal so i’m working in a cafe to support the work I'm making now in my free time. I know i’ll always have to work outside of illustration as a means to be able to create my art.
What inspires your illustration style? Do you have any main influences?
Fashion is a huge influence, especially through social media you can access so many visuals both past and present and it’s all so much fun to take in and combine within my own visual language.
"it’s all so much fun to take in and combine within my own visual language"
How do you explore themes within illustration?
I don’t know if I really am exploring any themes within my illustrations, I just draw from pieces that inspire me.
You mentioned your interest in Greek Mythology through statues, how did this materialise?
I have always been interested in mythology so when we had a brief in year 2 of university i really became interested in those ideas again. Then I began to develop my creative responses which I’m developing through different mediums like oil pastels and pens.
Do you practise other creative mediums other than illustration?
Just illustration, but i try to use different mediums like collage, painting, fine liner pens, clay or sometimes digital programs like photoshop; as i don’t want to be stuck working in one particular way.
Who are some of your biggest creative role models?
I would say my friends as they are all so talented in what they do and I'm constantly looking up to them for advice.
Do you have any advice for beginner illustrators for exploring themes in their work?
Experiment, don’t be afraid to try new things, and it takes time to develop your own visual style. Be patient and enjoy the process as it’s a journey and it should be fun.
"Be patient and enjoy the process as it’s a journey and it should be fun"
Quick fire Round
What would be your dream illustration project?
To paint murals, to be able to collaborate with another creative in a completely different creative field or to have my work at a really large scale.
If you could collaborate with any artist of any medium who would it be?
Specifically, it would be a dream to work with someone like Harris Reed or illustrators like Joanna Alayla. To collaborate with anyone currently working within the industry would be interesting to see how they reimagine your artwork. Collaborating with my friends would be amazing too as all of their styles are so different and unique to them, so it would be fun to work on something beyond university.
How do you put your ‘stamp’ on life? And your creations?
On my creations I would say through my style that I've developed as I'm at a place where I'm confident with it. In my life it would be everything from how I dress/present myself to how my home reflects me and my art.
Check out Imogen's work
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