The Illustrators’ Survival Corner

The Illustrators Survival Corner was created in 2017, as a dedicated area for the illustrator community, providing a home for the many artists who come in search of creative insight, new collaborations, examples of good design and opportunities to show publishers their portfolios

It caters to both beginners and professionals, offering a daily schedule of appointments that include:

  • Portfolio Review: an opportunity for emerging illustrators to present their portfolios to leading publishers, author illustrators, agents and art directors in order to receive opinions and valuable suggestions.
  • Workshops: hands-on drawing and design workshops for illustrators taught by international artists
  • Masterclasses: offer illustrators concrete information and practical tools: from self-promotion to handling interviews with the publishers, from contracts to using social media, from creative processes to professional experiences

The Illustrators Survival Corner is the base camp for the international illustration community. A place to learn, discuss and share professional experiences, a compass in the great sea of illustration.


THE ILLUSTRATORS SURVIVAL CORNER AT 2024 CCBF

Returning for the 2024 edition of CCBF is The Illustrators' Survival Corner, featuring a packed schedule of activities dedicated to the art of illustration.
This year’s esteemed guests include Jon Klassen, Gui Tuzi, Emily Sutton, Maeva Rubli, Cai Ydong, Cathy Olmedillas, Cai Gao, Xiao Aozi, Xiong Liang, and Michel van Zeveren.
The masterclasses will deal with topics such as creativity and picture book design, exploring the unique world of silent books, the impact of digital media on children’s storytelling models, and current international trends in picture books.
Beyond picture books, there will be a significant focus on editorial illustration for children and young adults, as well as insights into the licensing market for products like stationery and design objects.
The workshop series, on the other hand, offers participants hands-on experiences, including sequential storytelling, character design, style exploration, and the visualization of emotions.

In recognition of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death, the Survival Corner program, in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute – Shanghai, will present a special masterclass. This session, hosted by authors Elia Mazzantini and Alessio D’Uva, will recount Marco Polo’s journey through the language of comics.
As always, numerous portfolio review sessions with international publishers will be available, fostering connections between illustrators and the publishing industry 

External Link
Mimaster Illustrazione

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THE ILLUSTRATORS SURVIVAL CORNER, THE STORY SO FAR...

The Illustrators Survival Corner returns to Bologna having toured many international book fairs en route.

Since 2021 the Survival Corner has been accompanying BCBF on the Grand Tour, a journey around the world, connecting with new communities of illustrators and professionals in the book supply chain, through activities to spread the culture of illustration. A series of events (masterclasses, workshops, portfolio reviews), dedicated to illustrators and beyond, were held at the following fairs: Frankfurt Book Fair (2021), Sharjah International Book Fair (2021), Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara (2021, 2022, 2023), Salon du livre de Montréal (2022), Illustration Forum, London (2024) and New Delhi World Book Fair (2024).

The Survival Corner took part in the Children's Literature and Publishing Industry Days program in Lithuania (2021), and was hosted at the Moscow International Book Fair (2019), the Irudika Festival in the Basque Country (2022 and 2023), and the China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair (2018, 2019, and 2023).