Gradwatch 2020: Illustrator Georgia Haywood, Falmouth College
"I always tend to add a little weirdness to what I create," says illustrator Georgia Haywood, whose work tells whimsical stories in comic book formats.
She has a knack for portraying memorable characters like Sobster – a melancholy lobster who yearns for acceptance – or the urban legend The Bunny Man, who hides under bridges with an ax.
Haywood explains that she gradually developed her style and experimented with different approaches during her studies. "For a while, I was at odds about how I wanted to look," she told CR. “I've always been inspired by other illustrators and artists and looked at what I like about certain styles and what I don't. In the second half of the three years we had to write our own letters, which made me realize how much I love creating projects from scratch and writing my own stories. "
Understandably, the lockdown affected Haywood's studies. Her class originally planned industry visits to New York, Bologna or London, where they would share their portfolios with creative people.
These were canceled, along with the final physical show many of them had been looking forward to as the last moment to celebrate their collective work and achievement. "Even though we had an online storefront, I felt a bit aloof, especially when I was back home and not with friends," she says.
“The state of the world has definitely influenced my motivation and ability to create work in general. With no access to college facilities, the final projects felt less completed than usual. "
Although Haywood says she's worried about the future, Lockdown highlighted the benefits of freelancing and working from home – all of which have motivated her to get more out of her own projects. In the long term, she is hoping for a full-time career in illustration, including selling her work online and possibly releasing her own graphic novel one day.
Go here to see all of our Gradwatch picks. georgiahaywood.co.uk