Online Illustration alumna on working at the Association of Illustrators
20 May 2026
After being drawn to Falmouth because of the University’s reputation, course content, flexibility and “the sheer potential of the illustration course”, MA Illustration (Online) alumna Natasha Knight has progressed from study into a career at The Association of Illustrators (AOI), a trade association for illustration which works to advance and protect illustrators' rights.
We caught up with Natasha to learn more about her Membership Executive role, how studying illustration online has supported her to flourish within her job and what she valued most about her time as an online master’s student at Falmouth.
Can you tell us more about the work you do now at the Association of Illustrators? For example, what does your role involve?
As the Membership Executive at the AOI I get to do a lot of different things related to facilitating illustrators and the sector: from running events, college talks and working on the AOI Mentorship Scheme to supporting and advising freelance illustrators on the business side of things. I also write articles, an unexpected skill I honed during my MA.
I’m delighted that as part of my role I help advise and support those who believe illustration is the road for them, balancing their creative skills with business-focused ones, protecting both themselves and their work. My favourite thing is meeting and supporting illustrators – they are some of the best folks doing wonderful work!
It’s a fantastic job where I get to utilise my experience, as well as over 50 years of industry experience of the organisation, to support illustrators and elevate the sector.
How did your time studying illustration help to support you thrive in the work that you do now?
Some of the best experiences you can have are when you manage to exceed your own expectations of what you’re capable of. At Falmouth, the tutors came from a range of inspiring and diverse backgrounds, which motivated me to explore greater possibilities within my own creative practice. It enabled me to integrate my interests in mindfulness, community, mark making and collage – which I now love – into my analogue illustration work. The day I handed in my last piece of work, despite throwing myself all in and being (the best kind of) exhausted, I remember thinking how I would love to do it all again. Not because I was unhappy, but because I loved learning so much about myself, my capabilities and how wonderfully gifted the illustration community is.
Falmouth has created an incredibly rewarding and challenging illustration degree, one that gave me the confidence to genuinely pursue a career in illustration.
I also made connections with fellow students as we started meeting more informally. Online and in person, we were building our community. One of my favourite adventures with them was on an illustration trip to Falmouth, one of the most beautiful places!
What initially drew you towards studying with Falmouth?
The sheer potential of the illustration course at Falmouth intrigued me; the course content and reputation of Falmouth gave me huge scope for finding my own voice. I had two young children (now in their late teens), so the flexibility to work online was a huge bonus. I knew that anything that took me away from them, with the support of my husband, had to be worthwhile and it was, we now holiday in Falmouth which they insist on!
Tell us about your experience of studying Illustration (Online) as a mature student?
Following a career change from policy work, I wanted to return to illustration and deepen my understanding and practice. I began my MA whilst working at House of Illustration (now Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration), freelancing at The AOI and volunteering at our school library, all just before the global pandemic reached the UK. With huge challenges being faced by almost everyone around the world, the opportunity to express myself through creative briefs felt like a genuine privilege and a joy. I felt supported, especially when our tutors reminded us how artists have always rallied in difficult times; to create, communicate and support their communities.
As a mature student reflecting on my experiences as a black woman, a mother and more to inform my work, the diversity of students on the course made me feel part of an extraordinary visual world. We had to be inventive about what we could access for research, utilising local spaces whilst I’d get together online with my peers to draw one another and chat. These informal sketching sessions elevated the experience and our connections and many of the wonderful friendships made have continued post course and in person. I’m constantly in awe of the ongoing work of my peers.
Whenever we gathered to discuss our projects, the sheer thoughtfulness and variety of responses to each brief set a high bar. Our tutors created an excellent environment for us to push beyond our own expectations. This continues to inspire me in making space for others and to uplift the community.
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