Falmouth Illustrators make prestigious World Illustration Awards shortlist
23 July 2025
Two members of Falmouth’s online Illustration master’s community have been shortlisted in this year’s World Illustration Awards.
Current student Hugh Hadfield and 2024 graduate Liberty Opal have been selected for the Awards which showcase the best work being made by illustrators all over the world.
Presented by the Association of Illustrators in partnership with the Directory of Illustration, the Awards focus on supporting and celebrating creativity by connecting illustrators with their peers and the global illustration industry.
The Awards are split into ten different categories and independently judged by an international panel of 30 judges, who select the 500-project strong longlist, 200 shortlisted projects, and their Category Winners and Highly Commended.
Hugh’s project Blooded has been shortlisted in the ‘Editorial’ category. The project, which Hugh created as part of his master’s studies, explores the practices and traditions of fox hunting. He explained: “Fox hunting was banned in the UK as late as 2005, so picture research was relatively easy. After thumbnailing the image design, the two-colour finished artwork was drawn direct onto A2 heavyweight cartridge paper using fountain pen and different coloured inks.”
Liberty’s project Collect Them All has made the shortlist of the ‘Design Product & Packaging’ category. Primarily created using Procreate, the project centres a fictional craft brewery with a focus on nostalgia. She said: “It hopes to connect people through the power of positive memories, using illustration as the vehicle. The sense of connection that can be achieved through shared experience or retelling of stories, combined with the communal settings in which craft beer is often consumed, is a cornerstone of my brand's narrative.”
This year’s winners will be announced in September. Cash prizes are awarded to the overall winners, along with a range of valuable networking and promotional benefits going to category winners and shortlisted illustrators. The winning works will also feature in a touring exhibition opening in November.
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