
Illustration
A Theoretical and Contextual Perspective
Alan Male(Author)
Bloomsbury Visual Arts (Publisher)
3rd Edition
Published on 11. January 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
264 pages
978-1-350-28353-4 (ISBN)
Description
Alan Male's Illustration is a classic in the field. Bringing together theory, context and issues around conceptual understanding, the book is a perfect companion for illustration students around the world.
Hundreds of images from a wide variety of contemporary illustrators explore how successful creators work with depth of knowledge and understanding of their subjects. By looking across examples from around the world, readers gain an understanding of:
- Visual metaphors
- Storytelling and narrative
- Truth and documentation
- Identity and persuasion
- Briefs and development
New for this edition is 'Illustrator as Author and Polymath', a chapter which explores the mix of skills that illustrators need beyond a strong visual style - they must be problem-solvers, visual thinkers, researchers and communicators. It also reveals how image creators from the world of illustration, visual communication and fine art can illuminate and present exciting and original concepts and ideas related to everything that is current, in the past and in the future.
This edition has also been re-designed and contains an expanded glossary and further reading, and up to 30% new imagery, to reflect recent trends in contemporary illustration practice.
Hundreds of images from a wide variety of contemporary illustrators explore how successful creators work with depth of knowledge and understanding of their subjects. By looking across examples from around the world, readers gain an understanding of:
- Visual metaphors
- Storytelling and narrative
- Truth and documentation
- Identity and persuasion
- Briefs and development
New for this edition is 'Illustrator as Author and Polymath', a chapter which explores the mix of skills that illustrators need beyond a strong visual style - they must be problem-solvers, visual thinkers, researchers and communicators. It also reveals how image creators from the world of illustration, visual communication and fine art can illuminate and present exciting and original concepts and ideas related to everything that is current, in the past and in the future.
This edition has also been re-designed and contains an expanded glossary and further reading, and up to 30% new imagery, to reflect recent trends in contemporary illustration practice.
More details
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
360 colour illus
Dimensions
Height: 267 mm
Width: 210 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
912 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-28353-4 (9781350283534)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2023
3rd Edition
Bloomsbury Visual Arts
€32.99
Available for download

E-Book
12/2023
3rd Edition
Bloomsbury Visual Arts
€32.99
Available for download
Person
Alan Male is an illustrator, academic and writer. He directed the Illustration programme at Falmouth University, UK for many years, leading it to gain an international reputation for excellence. He is now Emeritus Professor and a keynote speaker on the international stage. He has written and edited several books about illustration and has won a number of international awards for his work.
Content
1. Education
The Program of Work
Developing the Brief
Answering the Brief
The Conceptual Process
Research
Drawing
Professional Practice
2. The Nature of Imagery
Visual Language
Visual Metaphor
Pictorial Truths
Aesthetics and Non-Aesthetics
3. The Role of Illustration
Reference and Instruction
Commentary
Storytelling
Persuasion
Identity
A Public Interface
4. Illustrator as Author and Polymath
The Polymath Principle
Final Thoughts
Glossary
Further reading
The Program of Work
Developing the Brief
Answering the Brief
The Conceptual Process
Research
Drawing
Professional Practice
2. The Nature of Imagery
Visual Language
Visual Metaphor
Pictorial Truths
Aesthetics and Non-Aesthetics
3. The Role of Illustration
Reference and Instruction
Commentary
Storytelling
Persuasion
Identity
A Public Interface
4. Illustrator as Author and Polymath
The Polymath Principle
Final Thoughts
Glossary
Further reading