Centre For Research Development - University of Brighton
Research News - Edition 09 2005

Illustrators take Control:
Lawrence Zeegen leaves his mark

Lawrence Zeegen (School of Arts and Communication) was asked to write for two major books on contemporary illustration, both published in August 2004. The Association of Illustrators, formed 30 years ago this year, commissioned Zeegen to write the introduction to their annual publication Images 28. Highly regarded, as the very best collection of contemporary British illustration, Images 28 features the work of illustrators chosen by a panel of well-respected judges. Zeegen's introduction explores notions and ideas surrounding the concept of New illustration and its relationship with those in the design industry that commission illustration. He advocates a call-to-arms, inciting illustrators to take control, creating new projects and opportunities for themselves within the increasingly digital landscape of graphic communication. Published in Singapore by BIS, Clin D'Oeil is an annual of the very best in global contemporary illustration featuring the work of illustrators from the UK, US, Japan, Australia, Sweden and Denmark, France and Germany. Zeegen was asked to write the introduction to Clin D'Oeil and concentrated on the re-emergence of the discipline in recent years due to a greater recognition of the scope and breath of the potential in the illustrated image. Recognising that renewed interest began with work commissioned by independent record and fashion labels before migrating to UK, US and Japanese style magazines, Zeegen cites the return to prominence as one that will outlive fashions, fads and trends in imagemaking. Lawrence Zeegen was invited to present a paper, It is not the Winning; It is the Taking Part, at the international conference; Design Education; Tradition and Modernity at the National Institute of Design in Ahemdabad in India in March 2005. The paper investigates the relationship that graphic design courses have within their own institutions and within the larger industrial context and explores avenues for greater communication; establishing opportunities for increased understanding through partnerships and 'live' project briefs. The paper utilises recent examples from the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course at University of Brighton including 'live' projects run with local charities, organisations and groups that include Born Free Foundation, The Royal Sussex Hospital, Juice FM as well as London-based financial news group, Bloomberg. Lawrence Zeegen has also been selected to judge the Illustration category in the 2005 D&AD Awards, he was elected by the D&AD Executive Committee. D&AD, British Design and Art Direction, is an educational charity whose purpose is to set creative standards, educate, inspire and promote good design and advertising. Founded in 1962, D&AD is famous for its influential Awards and the D&AD Annual and for its membership of 2,300 of the design and advertising elite. Membership is exclusive to creatives whose work has been selected, by the panel of judges, for inclusion in the D&AD Annual. Zeegen has been a full D&AD member since 2001.