A bit of light reading.

One of the best things about doing a degree course is having access to the specialist art and design library.  The books are one thing, the many, many wonderful books, but the library also stocks all of the best art and design magazines, current issues and archives.  These are brilliant for research, but I for one sometimes forget that they are there to be browsed at any time, for inspiration, ideas, information and industry 'what's hot' reportage.

I spent the afternoon browsing some of the magazines on offer and have to admit to losing track of time.  Perhaps one of the most useful magazines is VAROOM!, the Association of Illustrators (AOI) journal.

 Copies of VAROOM! are always widely available in the Art and Design areas around the University, as we are lucky enough to have associate membership of this organisation by being students.  The magazine holds information about exhibitions, who is winning awards, current competitions, studies of particular illustrators and sometimes interviews or academic articles.

Illustrator magazine tends to showcase four or five illustrators per issue, giving several full page colour spreads to each.  The magazine also has interviews with practicing professional illustrators.  Reading some recent interviews led me to discover the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, an organisation with global presence and annual conferences each year held in New York and Los Angeles.  Subscription is very reasonable at around 80 US dollars and there are various financial grants and awards that can be applied for.  Students can submit work and if selected can win sponsorship to attend one of the conferences, all expenses paid.  A fantastic opportunity!

Uppercase is a Canadian indie art magazine, showcasing illustration, craft techniques and is full of colour and inspiration.

Frieze deals with contemporary art and culture and lists every significant international art exhibition.  I wish I had known about this magazine when I was travelling to Malmö to work, in a previous job, as several exhibitions were listed there and in Copenhagen, a short train ride away.  If you are planning to travel this Summer I recommend checking out the magazine to see what might be available.

Novum is a German / Anglo duel language magazine more aimed at Graphic Design, but beautifully laid out.

There are many more magazines that offer a visual feast; Love, Vogue, Wallpaper and Interior Design to name a few.  My advice would be to indulge yourself in an afternoon's reading.  You never know what might inspire you, and of course, these magazines are employing illustrators, some in house and some for editorial and article submissions, so if you want to be ahead of the game, be aware of the industry press.

H. x