We are delighted to announce that contributing illustrator Ollie Hirst’s work for The Big Issue is in contention to win the Professional Editorial category at the World Illustration Awards.
Ollie created a striking, unforgettable design to accompany Dani Garavelli’s review of Maaza Mengiste’s The Shadow King back in January.
And it deservedly received recognition when the Association of Illustrators (AOI) named it among the 500-illustration long list this afternoon after whittling down the finalists from 4,300 entries.
I’ve been long-listed for #WIA2020 in “Professional Editorial”!! Shout out to @BigIssue & @RossLesleyBayne for choosing me to illustrate this review of #theshadowking@MaazaMengiste. Top 500 of 4,300 entries is mega! Thankyou!!@theaoi@DirIllustration#WorldIllustrationAwardspic.twitter.com/Vu6kNpqvS6
— Ollie Hirst (@olliehirst) April 28, 2020
Ollie described the news as “mega” on social media and was congratulated by Mengiste as well as Big Issue art director Ross Lesley-Bayne, who described the recognition as “well-deserved” and revealed the illustration was “one of his favourites” from the magazine.
The final shortlist will be announced a later date with professionals from the industry then running the rule over the remaining designs to decide who wins the high-profile competition.
