Illustrating Non-fiction Books for Children

Male, Alan (2005) Illustrating Non-fiction Books for Children. Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Newsletter, N/A. ISSN 0199-5464

Abstract / Summary

The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators operates as a professional society for practitioners who specialise in natural science and cultural subject matter. It is predominately US based with its head office at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. It does, however, have a wide international membership which includes over 50 countries. It publishes eight journal/newsletters per year which comprises peer reviewed articles, including research.

The majority of members are from scientific, academic backgrounds and have not had traditional art education training regarding commercial business and professional practice. There was a requirement to draw from extensive national and international experience as a professional illustrator and provide detailed insight and instruction regarding certain issues.

This was one of a series of articles tailored specifically to a specialist audience that had not previously been accommodated regarding these precepts. This provided for originality and fresh argument regarding an integration of specialist, academia based and subject led illustration practice with the broader concepts of international publishing for wider audiences, self promotion and commerciality.

There is a solid rationale for these considerations: the notion of illustrator as a scientist or cultural historian is now beginning to flourish as evidenced by the number of non fiction books that are authored and illustrated by the same person.

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