Rachel Ignotofsky

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times best-selling artist and author, Rachel Ignotofsky about how she set up shop in the children’s book world; why you should probably stop breaking promises to yourself; how AI is “thought-labor abridged” and what illustrators can do to stay ahead of it; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times best-selling artist and author, Rachel Ignotofsky about how she set up shop in the children’s book world; why you should probably stop breaking promises to yourself; how AI is “thought-labor abridged” and what illustrators can do to stay ahead of it; and more.

Darren Di Lieto

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Darren Di Lieto, Creative Director at Hireillo, about the founding and early years of Hireillo; why marketing for illustrators involves a million degrees of nuance; how there is no silver bullet to finding an easy path to being an illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Darren Di Lieto, Creative Director at Hireillo, about the founding and early years of Hireillo; why marketing for illustrators involves a million degrees of nuance; how there is no silver bullet to finding an easy path to being an illustrator; and more.

Brian Pinkney

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times best-selling and two-time Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator, Brian Pinkney about what it was like growing up—and creating art—with his father, Jerry Pinkney; why illustrators don’t have to be just one thing, or make pictures in just one way; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times best-selling and two-time Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator, Brian Pinkney about what it was like growing up—and creating art—with his father, Jerry Pinkney; why illustrators don’t have to be just one thing, or make pictures in just one way; and more.

Kate Tardif

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kate Tardif, founder of Sullivan Moore, about why she’s looking to grow her boutique agency… in a big way; how illustrators (whether they like it or not) are content creators; why it is not the end of the world for illustrators if they are dropped by their agent; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kate Tardif, founder of Sullivan Moore, about why she’s looking to grow her boutique agency… in a big way; how illustrators (whether they like it or not) are content creators; why it is not the end of the world for illustrators if they are dropped by their agent; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emmy Award-winning illustrator and graphic novelist, Dawud Anyabwile about the origin story of Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline, and how it was a family affair; why it’s important to protect your intellectual property (if and when you can); what advice he has for discouraged illustrators; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emmy Award-winning illustrator and graphic novelist, Dawud Anyabwile about the origin story of Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline, and how it was a family affair; why it’s important to protect your intellectual property (if and when you can); what advice he has for discouraged illustrators; and more.

Dawud Anyabwile

Emily Harris

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emily Harris, Associate Art Director at Lerner Publishing Group, about how illustrators can know what art directors want (spoiler: they can’t); how she finds illustrators for the myriad books she art directs; and what myths need to stop spreading about being—and creating art as—a children’s book illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emily Harris, Associate Art Director at Lerner Publishing Group, about how illustrators can know what art directors want (spoiler: they can’t); how she finds illustrators for the myriad books she art directs; and what myths need to stop spreading about being—and creating art as—a children’s book illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Briana Mukodiri Uchendu about why having no one to disappoint helped her begin her children’s book career; why the multi-honor-winning picture book, The Talk, was a “rollercoaster of emotions” for Briana; at what point do you feel like your art (and you) are enough; and more. 

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Briana Mukodiri Uchendu about why having no one to disappoint helped her begin her children’s book career; why the multi-honor-winning picture book, The Talk, was a “rollercoaster of emotions” for Briana; at what point do you feel like your art (and you) are enough; and more.

Briana Mukodiri Uchendu

Freya Blackwood

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Freya Blackwood about her rule-breaking approach to picture book art; how asymmetry and imperfection are keys to an effective illustration portfolio; when it’s time to end your attempt at being an illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Freya Blackwood about her rule-breaking approach to picture book art; how asymmetry and imperfection are keys to an effective illustration portfolio; when it’s time to end your attempt at being an illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Mirko Ilić, about how procrastination can help in one’s creative process; what role sacrifice plays in defining, and achieving, success as an illustrator; how the key to creative growth lies in both one’s future and past; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Mirko Ilić, about how procrastination can help in one’s creative process; what role sacrifice plays in defining, and achieving, success as an illustrator; how the key to creative growth lies in both one’s future and past; and more.

Mirko Ilić

Jay Cooper

Jim Hoover

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jay Cooper (New York Times Best-Selling Illustrator and Executive Creative Director at Serino Coyne) and Jim Hoover (Senior Art Director at Penguin Random House) about the making of The Last Comics on Earth; what children’s publishing hasn’t fully figured out yet with graphic novels (hint: money, time, reviews); what selfishness has to do with achieving a work/life balance; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jay Cooper (New York Times Best-Selling Illustrator and Executive Creative Director at Serino Coyne) and Jim Hoover (Senior Art Director at Penguin Random House) about the making of The Last Comics on Earth; what children’s publishing hasn’t fully figured out yet with graphic novels (hint: money, time, reviews); what selfishness has to do with achieving a work/life balance; and more.

Jay Cooper and Jim Hoover

Giuseppe Castellano talks to folks in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields about the ups and downs of their careers.

This is the podcast I&#39;ve been searching for for years. I&#39;ve always dreamed of illustrating children&#39;s picture books but settled into designing wrapping paper, greeting cards, etc. I love my work but I am ready to start pursuing picture book illustration again. This podcast is giving me the insights I need to take steps in that direction. Love it. It is so great hearing from very accomplished illustrators who are still humble and open to sharing their journeys and struggles. Thank you so much. &lt;3

Finally a great illustration podcast

Even a non-illustrator can appreciate and enjoy these brisk, content-filled interviews.

What a pleasure!

Giuseppe Castellano talks to folks in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields about the ups and downs of their careers.

The Illustration Department Podcast

Yuko Shimizu

Illustrator and Educator, Yuko Shimizu, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the fear of failure, negotiating with clients, finding your true self, Hokusai and the zen of brush and ink, and the necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful.

Illustrator and Educator, Yuko Shimizu, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the fear of failure, negotiating with clients, finding your true self, Hokusai and the zen of brush and ink, and the necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful.

Will Terry

Illustrator and educator, Will Terry, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he lied his way into a meeting with art director, Carol Porter, of The Washington Post; how the Society of Visual Storytelling got its start; and why the debate between online vs. brick &amp; mortar art programs continues.

Illustrator and educator, Will Terry, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he lied his way into a meeting with art director, Carol Porter, of The Washington Post; how the Society of Visual Storytelling got its start; and why the debate between online vs. brick &amp; mortar art programs continues.

Erin Hunting

Illustrator, Erin Hunting, talks with Giuseppe Castellano about living in Melbourne, Australia; 1980’s video games and cartoons; how Grumpy Cat changed her life; what you can and can’t do with art piracy; what it means to be a Copic Ambassador; and why fan art is art.

Illustrator, Erin Hunting, talks with Giuseppe Castellano about living in Melbourne, Australia; 1980’s video games and cartoons; how Grumpy Cat changed her life; what you can and can’t do with art piracy; what it means to be a Copic Ambassador; and why fan art is art.

Mohamed Danawi

Mohamed Danawi—the founder and creative director of IlloZoo—talks with Giuseppe Castellano about the renaissance in illustration, running an art agency, the pros and cons of social media, and the necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful—from the perspective of an agent.

Mohamed Danawi—the founder and creative director of IlloZoo—talks with Giuseppe Castellano about the renaissance in illustration, running an art agency, the pros and cons of social media, and the necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful—from the perspective of an agent.

Zina Saunders

Illustrator, Zina Saunders, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about growing up with her father—the legendary pulp artist, Norman Saunders; how she overcame “screwing off” with alcohol and drugs to start an illustration career; what you can and can’t expect from art directors; and so much more.

Illustrator, Zina Saunders, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about growing up with her father—the legendary pulp artist, Norman Saunders; how she overcame “screwing off” with alcohol and drugs to start an illustration career; what you can and can’t expect from art directors; and so much more.

Meghan McCarthy

Author and illustrator, Meghan McCarthy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about creating non-fiction picture books; her “depressing” experiences while working at Barnes &amp; Noble; childhood and adulthood bullies; how Twitter criticism leads to “outrage telephone”; and what the morality clause from publishers could mean for creators.

Author and illustrator, Meghan McCarthy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about creating non-fiction picture books; her “depressing” experiences while working at Barnes &amp; Noble; childhood and adulthood bullies; how Twitter criticism leads to “outrage telephone”; and what the morality clause from publishers could mean for creators.

Mark Mills

Mark Mills, founder of Plum Pudding—one of the world’s leading children’s illustration agencies, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the origin of his agency; how art schools (and other agencies) are taking advantage of artists; and why every illustrator who submits to Plum Pudding for representation gets a reply. “Every one.”

Mark Mills, founder of Plum Pudding—one of the world’s leading children’s illustration agencies, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the origin of his agency; how art schools (and other agencies) are taking advantage of artists; and why every illustrator who submits to Plum Pudding for representation gets a reply. “Every one.”

Kelly Delaney

Vice President of Learning Experience Design at McGraw-Hill Education, Kelly Delaney, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her role within an educational publisher; why she doesn’t love the word, “textbook”; and why McGraw-Hill—who published Paul Galdone, Robert Barry, and a teenage Maurice Sendak—isn’t part of “The Big 6”. . . yet.

Vice President of Learning Experience Design at McGraw-Hill Education, Kelly Delaney, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her role within an educational publisher; why she doesn’t love the word, “textbook”; and why McGraw-Hill—who published Paul Galdone, Robert Barry, and a teenage Maurice Sendak—isn’t part of “The Big 6”. . . yet.

Francesca Gambatesa

Illustrator and animator, Francesca Gambatesa talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Italy’s best kept secret (spoiler: it’s Puglia); how she found a literary agent; what she thinks about when she thinks about character design; and why a career in children’s publishing isn’t for the faint of heart.

Illustrator and animator, Francesca Gambatesa talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Italy’s best kept secret (spoiler: it’s Puglia); how she found a literary agent; what she thinks about when she thinks about character design; and why a career in children’s publishing isn’t for the faint of heart.

Kelly Murphy

Illustrator and Educator, Kelly Murphy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about their shared experiences at the Rhode Island School of Design; Kelly’s first phone call with an editor; what it’s like teaching at RISD; why she doesn’t have an agent; and how author/illustrators can sneak around a publisher’s “no unsolicited manuscript” policy.

Illustrator and Educator, Kelly Murphy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about their shared experiences at the Rhode Island School of Design; Kelly’s first phone call with an editor; what it’s like teaching at RISD; why she doesn’t have an agent; and how author/illustrators can sneak around a publisher’s “no unsolicited manuscript” policy.

Multi-award-winning children’s book art director, Jim Hoover, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what it’s like to talk to Maurice Sendak and Hilary Knight; how he finds illustrators; and why he never wants to hear, “Are we married to this illustrator”.

Multi-award-winning children’s book art director, Jim Hoover, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what it’s like to talk to Maurice Sendak and Hilary Knight; how he finds illustrators; and why he never wants to hear, “Are we married to this illustrator”.

Jim Hoover, Part 1 of 2

Olimpia Zagnoli

Illustrator, Olimpia Zagnoli talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the ups and downs of speaking a second language; why she calls herself an illustrator; how her father’s advice to “make your portfolio big” might have helped land her first New Yorker job; and what illustrators should think about when staring at a blank page.They also discuss how the legendary Bruno Munari has been “following” Olimpia her whole life.

Illustrator, Olimpia Zagnoli talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the ups and downs of speaking a second language; why she calls herself an illustrator; how her father’s advice to “make your portfolio big” might have helped land her first New Yorker job; and what illustrators should think about when staring at a blank page.They also discuss how the legendary Bruno Munari has been “following” Olimpia her whole life.

Children’s book art director, Jim Hoover, answers questions from illustrators.Among other topics, he covers: postcards, portfolios, websites, getting work, digital vs. traditional methods, social media, and style.

Children’s book art director, Jim Hoover, answers questions from illustrators.Among other topics, he covers: postcards, portfolios, websites, getting work, digital vs. traditional methods, social media, and style.

Jim Hoover, Part 2 of 2

Executive Creative Director at Serino Coyne, Jay Cooper, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his path to becoming an “Ad Man”; what it’s like to be in the room where Jay and his team created visual ad campaigns for Frozen, Hamilton, and Boys in the Band; how he manages to double as a prolific author and illustrator; and all that jazz.

Executive Creative Director at Serino Coyne, Jay Cooper, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his path to becoming an “Ad Man”; what it’s like to be in the room where Jay and his team created visual ad campaigns for Frozen, Hamilton, and Boys in the Band; how he manages to double as a prolific author and illustrator; and all that jazz.

Kayla Wasil

Illustrator, Designer, and Art Director, Kayla Wasil, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how Giuseppe met (and hired) Kayla; what it’s like to work on licensed properties in book form; and why the publishing design process can be frustrating.Kayla answers questions provided to Giuseppe by The Illustration Dept. Newsletter subscribers. They cover postcards, process, trends, and more.

Illustrator, Designer, and Art Director, Kayla Wasil, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how Giuseppe met (and hired) Kayla; what it’s like to work on licensed properties in book form; and why the publishing design process can be frustrating.Kayla answers questions provided to Giuseppe by <a href="http://eepurl.com/gsz7Rb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Illustration Dept. Newsletter</a> subscribers. They cover postcards, process, trends, and more.

David Goldman

Artist Representative/Personal Manager/Producer and Founder of David Goldman Agency, David Goldman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his role as an agent; why he would rather starve than give up an artist’s rights; what fees illustrators get from magazines and children’s book publishers; and how the illustration world has changed since 1980.David also shares what he thinks is the “key most important thing” anyone in a creative field should be attempting to do.

Artist Representative/Personal Manager/Producer and Founder of David Goldman Agency, David Goldman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his role as an agent; why he would rather starve than give up an artist’s rights; what fees illustrators get from magazines and children’s book publishers; and how the illustration world has changed since 1980.David also shares what he thinks is the “key most important thing” anyone in a creative field should be attempting to do.

Barry Blitt

Illustrator and Cartoonist, Barry Blitt, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why showing his drawings to Major League baseball players helped start Barry’s career; how he and art editor, Françoise Mouly, of The New Yorker have worked together for decades to create more than 100 covers; and why illustrators can be overly self-critical.

Illustrator and Cartoonist, Barry Blitt, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why showing his drawings to Major League baseball players helped start Barry’s career; how he and art editor, Françoise Mouly, of The New Yorker have worked together for decades to create more than 100 covers; and why illustrators can be overly self-critical.

Editor and author, Leila Sales, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her editing days at Viking; the role of an editor; how her writing process is “probably not great”; what inspired her book, If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say; and why cancel culture needs to be canceled.

Editor and author, Leila Sales, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her editing days at Viking; the role of an editor; how her writing process is “probably not great”; what inspired her book, If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say; and why cancel culture needs to be canceled.

Leila Sales

Jean Dahlgren

The President of Delaware College of Art and Design, Jean Dahlgren, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what sparked her lifelong interest in art education; why she’s tired of the “myth” of the “starving artist”; and how the Delaware College of Art and Design prepares future artists.They also praise the Delaware, and the city of Wilmington—the rightful birthplace of the Golden Age of Illustration.

The President of Delaware College of Art and Design, Jean Dahlgren, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what sparked her lifelong interest in art education; why she’s tired of the “myth” of the “starving artist”; and how the Delaware College of Art and Design prepares future artists.They also praise the Delaware, and the city of Wilmington—the rightful birthplace of the Golden Age of Illustration.

Floyd Cooper

Author and illustrator, Floyd Cooper, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a weatherman in Tulsa, Oklahoma—and his character “gusty”—stoked Floyd’s love of drawing. He also talks about his bumpy experiences with Hallmark; how Mark English became a friend and mentor; and why an author’s insistence—in 1989—that her publisher hire a black illustrator launched Floyd’s publishing career.

Author and illustrator, Floyd Cooper, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a weatherman in Tulsa, Oklahoma—and his character “gusty”—stoked Floyd’s love of drawing. He also talks about his bumpy experiences with Hallmark; how Mark English became a friend and mentor; and why an author’s insistence—in 1989—that her publisher hire a black illustrator launched Floyd’s publishing career.

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