Seeing into the Future

In 2011 several universities joined force to address the apparent lack of research into the subject of illustration and Varoomlab was launched as a mechanism for collaborative exploration into the subject.

Illustration is a commercial activity that can be understood and valued more fully if it is subject to rigorous interrogation. For students, moving beyond a superficial understanding is a vital dimension to their practice. What can be gained from hearing practitioners and academics talking about their contribution to the world of Visual Communication?

Discovering how an illustrator operates professionally, what processes and methodologies have shaped their ideas and outputs, can provide direct understanding that can be drawn upon and applied to future situations (for students and professionals alike). Specific papers and presentations can challenge the way we perceive and interpret given genres of the subject, maybe challenge how we define the entire area.

In November the Varoomlab illustration conference will focus on the theme Visionaries. Hosted by Birmingham City University, Visionaries will provide a meeting point for professionals, students and academics to broadly explore the theme, stimulated by a strong line up of chosen speakers, presenters and keynote speakers interspersed with panel discussions and networking sessions.

The agenda embraces topics that include the illustrated map as a mode of communication, tracing the link between visionary J.G. Ballard and the cultural and virtual fabric of 2015, drawing and the digital networks of the contemporary urban landscape, revisiting the vision of the original Association of Illustrators committee, and imagining an alternative future for arts education.

OCA programme leader for Visual Communication, Christian Lloyd will be presenting a PetchaKucha which explores cross fertilisation between music/sound/performance, working on the edges of disciplines and looking beyond the obvious. A film on the manifestations of vision in contemporary illustration practice will also be presented. This event will investigate the way visionary approaches are able to expand the way we perceive the world, and also how influences from the past continue to resonate today.

The Association of Illustrators is known as the industry hub for illustrators needing ethics advice, portfolio review and pricing enquiries. In addition there is a broader, educational dimension to the operation and Varoom is instrumental in this aim.

Varoom Magazine was launched in 2005 – building of the in house journal (that focussed entirely on the dynamic world on commissioned imagery) and extending its remit to consider art, culture and society. These are the contexts that illustration functions within and it is a reminder for us all to think laterally about the subject considering how it contributes to, and draws upon the lives of its makers.

Students of art and design activity have the potential to fashion and direct the future of practice within visual communication. None of us can see into the future but each has the potential to be visionary.

Students can attend the VISIONARIES symposium on the 5 and 6 November 2015 at Birmingham City University. The costs are as follows; £35 Students  /  £75 Standard Ticket  /  £50 VaroomLab Members (Limited)

Jo will be happy to have a chat with students if they can attend the first day.

For more information and to book click here:

Jo is an OCA tutor in Visual Communication. She is a founder of Varoomlab, editor-in-chief of varoomlabjournal and author of several books about illustration.