Varoom Magazine

VAROOM 05 CONTENT

THE IMPORTANCE OF MISTAKES AN INTERVIEW WITH TERRY DOWLING BY ADRIAN SHAUGHNESSY In a revealing and far-ranging interview, Terry Dowling, one of the founding fathers of radical contemporary illustration and a precursor of punk visual style, describes his early failed attempts to get commercial work, and his subsequent rejection of commercial practice in favour of teaching and a life of personal enquiry.

MAPPING THE TERRAIN: ILLUSTRATION FOR CHILDREN BY MARTIN SALISBURY Varoom explores the work of four exponents of the art of illustration for children: Isabelle Vandenabeele Beatrice Alemagna Stian Hole Marc Boutavant

MARIO HUGO – A MODERN ROMANTIC BY MARK WEBSTER New York artist Mario Hugo describes himself as having had ‘a tempestuous affair with illustration.’ But his work is far from tempestuous. It reveals a thoughtful artist, eschewing the hard digital lines of much contemporary expression, in favour of a softer and more humanistic approach.

PAUL FARRINGTON: THE BEAUTY OF THE UNPREDICTABLE BY ANNA GERBER Designer, musician and digital pioneer Paul Farrington moves away from his customary screen based work to undertake a giant installation covering a 196m-long walkway at Imperial College, London. Farrington has left the realm of invisible ones and zeroes and entered the world of scientific discovery, Britney Spears posters and rugby fixtures.

HEATED DEBATE: THE BORROWERS BY ROBERT MASON Heated Debate is a platform for thought-provoking views and a start point for debate. Writers, commentators and practitioners are invited to take a critical and discursive look at imagery and the role of the image-maker in visual culture. Illustrator, writer and tutor Robert Mason looks at the contentious subject of plagiarism and its corrosive effect on the craft of illustration.

THE COMPELLING IMAGE CHOSEN BY GEORGE HARDIE Leading illustrators, designers, artists and commentators are invited to select a compelling image, and explain why it has moved them or given them creative stimulus. The illustrator George Hardie makes a typically robust selection.

A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO PROPAGANDA A VISUAL ESSAY BY NEIL McFARLANE Freelance graphic designer and illustrator Neil McFarlane offers a sharp brained commentary on the modern obsession with spin, hype and propaganda. It’s a manual for wannabe spin doctors.

AN UNWRITTEN DIARY BY RICHARD BEARDS AN ENGLISH ILLUSTRATOR’S PERSPECTIVE, NEW YORK: Despite having a New York agent for 15 years, British illustrator Richard Beards had failed to conquer the great metropolis. In 2006 he decided to move there. For six months Beards observed the NYC scene with a mixture of cool detachment and cinematic-like wonder. While in self-imposed exile he kept a diary and chronicled his time in the ‘greatest city on earth.’

REVIEWS:

CHARLEY HARPER: AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE By Todd Oldham Book reviewed By Derek Brazell

DESIGNERSBLOCK: ILLUSTRATE & ILLUSTRATIVE 07 Exhibition reviewed by Silvia Baumgart

TEKKONKINKREET Directed By Michael Arias Film reviewed By Mitchell Miller

ILLUSTRATION BOOK PRO 1 Introduction By Erik Kessels Book reviewed By Lydia Fulton

Varoom –the journal of illustration and made images published by the Association of Illustrators three times a year. Second issue Nov 2006, 90 pages, ISSN 1750-483X, available in specialist bookshops and assorted news stands in the UK, Europe, USA and Canada, retail price per issue £12/$25/€20, subscription (3 issues) £30/$70/€55. Subscribe for 2 years (6 issues) and receive a 30% discount.

The Editor Adrian Shaughnessy is a freelance art director and writer. He was co-founder of design group Intro, and its creative director from 1988-2004. During his time at Intro the company won numerous awards and accolades. After 15 years, Adrian left the company to pursue an interest in writing. He has written and edited three books on radical record sleeve design (the Sampler series), and edited a monograph of Intro work called ‘Display Copy Only’ (all published by Laurence King). His most recent work is ’How to be a graphic designer without losing your soul’. He writes for all the principal UK design magazines including Eye and Creative Review. Adrian has a monthly column in Design Week, and is a guest contributor to Design Observer, the leading US-based design blog. He has written about illustration on many occasions. Currently, Shaughnessy is consultant creative director of This is Real Art, a new 'virtual' creative agency which employs a roster of designers, illustrators and film makers. The company works with some of the leading advertising agencies and media companies in the UK and Europe

The Designers Kjell Ekhorn and Jon Forss established Non-Format in 2001. They are currently working on a range of projects including music packaging for various record labels, and illustration for fashion and advertising clients. Non-Format also art directed the monthly avant-garde music magazine The Wire between 2001 and 2005. They have won numerous design awards, and their work is regularly featured in the design press. A monograph of their work will be published shortly. Visit www.non-format.com for further information.

Association of Illustrators Established in 1973 to promote illustration, advance and protect illustrators’ rights and encourage professional standards. It has successfully increased the standing of illustration as a profession and improved commercial and ethical conditions of employment.