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Member only guide to the Australian book industry.
MIN READ
Our November member spotlight is Tilda Joy, a 23-year-old Canberra-based illustrator who plays across traditional and digital mediums. With degrees in design and environmental science, she loves exploring texture, colour, and nature.
Tilda won the 2023 CYA Aspiring Illustrator Competition, and can often be found participating in local art markets like Handmade Canberra and the National Museum Market.
She is currently undertaking illustration work in environmental science communication for organisations including the Mulloon Institute, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and, most recently, Questacon’s new children’s space.
Your illustrations are featured in Questacon’s new children’s space, which opened this October. What can you tell us about the project?
Questacon is Australia’s national science and technology centre based in Canberra that offers interactive STEM experiences for people of all ages. The gallery for 0-6 year olds (Mini Q) has just undergone a big revamp after 20 years, and I’ve had such a fun time illustrating for the project.
The new space has a strong environmental theme, taking visitors from Ngunnawal Country through the rainforest and to the sea. It features areas like a mangroves waterplay section, an Indigenous story cave, and double-level research boat.
I first got involved creating some concept art for the 3D animals in the space, and since then I’ve spent the past year working on the wall murals, which contain over 100 different flora and fauna species. My illustrations are also featured in some interactive exhibits like a crocodile egg scanner and a digital aquarium where children can design their own fish.
What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to work on Questacon’s children’s space?
I just feel so incredibly lucky! This space brings together all the things that excite me, and it’s such a special thing to work on an illustration project where the primary purpose is to inspire young children. I grew up visiting Questacon, so it’s amazing that I can be part of building that experience for others. More broadly, I also view the project as an opportunity to get children excited about biodiversity from a young age, and hopefully help foster a sense of longer term environmental stewardship.
Can you share what the project’s development process was like?
Questacon has a vibrant team environment. I think there’s something about it that attracts interesting and passionate people. I loved working in a team where everyone brings a unique skillset – one week I’d hand over my files, and the next I’d come back to find someone else had turned them into an animation! So cool!
A big part of the illustration process was hand-painting hundreds of textures that were scanned in and used as the foundation for all the murals. I used objects in my apartment like hairbrushes, bubble wrap, and seed pods to get as many effects as possible.
I’d also just finished my degree studying environmental science, which I drew a lot of inspiration from during the project. I loved including hidden animals and ecological stories in the murals, and I hope that people get to find something new each time they visit.
The worst part of the process was when the sheer scale of one of the mural files kept crashing my computer (thank goodness for backups!).
What inspired you to begin a career as an illustrator?
I don’t think I ever really expected to be an illustrator. I enjoyed drawing but I didn’t get serious about it until my grandma and I spent time in 2020 taking online botanical watercolour classes together. Not only was it a great bonding activity, but it helped open my mind towards what was possible. Since becoming a full time illustrator, I’ve also found myself enjoying the business side of the job.
I also give huge credit to my family and partner for giving me the space and support to find something that I feel I can truly enjoy.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the start of your career?
As I’ve ventured into full time illustration I’ve been learning a lot about the importance of diversification. In addition to building up my picture book portfolio, I also do client work (like Questacon), sell illustration products online and at markets, and do live sketching events and commissions. This variation in income streams is slowly making my career path more financially sustainable and keeps me excited and engaged with my work.
I’m still relatively early in my career as an illustrator, and I’m sure there’s a lot left to learn.
Which Australian authors and illustrators are influential for you?
I am a huge Freya Blackwood fan and love the way she builds a world within her books. I also take inspiration from other author-illustrators like Anna Walker, Pete Cromer, and Marc Martin.
My mum is also a children’s author and a continuous source of inspiration, conversations, and motivation for me. It’s amazing to be close to someone experiencing a similar journey.
Why are you a member of the ASA?
I’m very grateful that we have a body advocating on behalf of illustrators and writers. Not only does the ASA provide a sense of community and support, but it also ensures creative voices are heard in the broader commercial and political landscape. The recent win regarding copyright and AI is a great demonstration of this.
The ASA also offers lots of opportunities for creatives to develop and network. I recently participated in the Picture Book Matchmaker pitch sessions, and look forward to similar events in the future.
Find out more about Tilda Joy at tildajoy.com and @tilda.joy.
