By Astrid Jaekel, Lecturer in Illustration
The 2024 Drawn Back Illustration Symposium at Edinburgh College of Art was a vibrant celebration of the skill, creativity, and diverse paths of ECA Illustration graduates.
Bringing together alumni, current students, and staff, the event provided a platform for meaningful exchange, offering alumni the chance to reconnect with the college while giving students valuable insights into the professional world of illustration.
The symposium on 4 October was inspired by the desire to strengthen bonds between generations of ECA illustrators. With alumni succeeding across diverse areas in the creative industry, ECA’s Illustration department saw the potential for a formal gathering that offered not only reconnection but also mentorship and learning opportunities. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed alumni talks, collaborative design challenges, and an exhibition in ECA’s Sculpture Court showcasing the work of 125 alumni, staff, and current students. In the months before the symposium, students were given the chance to engage in hands-on activities by participating in the event’s planning. This active involvement gave them real-world experience and a sense of ownership over the event.
Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry
The day opened with inspiring talks from alumni like Rachel Hill (CEO of the Association of Illustrators) and illustrators Alexander Naughton, Ryan Hamill, Sara Ogilvie, and Jill Calder. A key goal of the symposium was to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world. Alumni shared insights into freelancing and adapting to the changing creative industries—valuable knowledge in a field where structured career paths are rare. One alumnus remarked: “The different variety of stories from the members who spoke about their journeys after graduation was something I really enjoyed. The key tone was about happiness and well-being, and the realistic struggles of life in between...Success took many forms during the morning talks from the members, and it was wonderful to see.”
Live Design Challenges
In the afternoon, a playful collage challenge inspired by the work of illustrator Eric Carle invited alumni and students to collaborate in mixed teams. ECA’s West Court was transformed into a vibrant studio where participants assembled painted paper into a shared “ECA Illustration Bestiary,” later displayed in the Sculpture Court as part of the Drawn Back exhibition. This activity allowed participants to connect over a light-hearted, creative project.
Exhibition of Work
Ahead of the symposium, images and written responses from 125 participating alumni, staff, and students were gathered, printed, and framed to cover the Sculpture Court walls. This exhibition was also open during ECA’s Open Day, offering the public a unique glimpse into illustration as a career, which helped support student recruitment. The display emphasised the diverse career paths our alumni have pursued, enriching attendees’ understanding of the industry’s opportunities and challenges, and highlighting the significant strides our alumni have made in their respective areas—from picture book illustration and editorial work to advertising, comics, animation, gaming, film, art direction, fine art, education and more.
A Strong Sense of Community
Beyond professional development, Drawn Back was about fostering community. The day brought together students, alumni, and staff, who found it invigorating to reconnect with old friends and make new connections within the creative network. The design challenges encouraged collaboration, sparking creativity and forming new bonds. Alumni expressed gratitude for the chance to give back to ECA, with one attendee sharing: “Reconnecting with fellow students and tutors was fantastic. It reminded me how valuable the degree was as part of my career...I have been inspired to come back and talk at the uni and to maybe add to my career in a teaching aspect further.” Students also found inspiration in alumni stories, with one commenting: “I could relate to alumni and who they were as students and realised that learning will continue after university, which is reassuring. Alumni who were once in my place are now successful illustrators I look up to, such as Amy Lewis who works as a background painter for SpongeBob.”
Looking Ahead
As the day concluded, it was clear that Drawn Back had inspired creativity, built connections, and raised the profile of ECA’s Illustration programme. Both alumni and students left feeling empowered and supported. The success of this event paves the way for future gatherings that will continue to foster relationships across generations, keeping ECA’s Illustration programme relevant and impactful in the ever-evolving creative industry.
Drawn Back was made possible with support from alumni and friends of the University of Edinburgh through the Student Experience Grants scheme.
