'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Thursday, 10 March 2016

Meet the Illustrator: Amy Daoud

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Fanciful, fun, typographic.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Lots of natural light, an exceptional playlist and a big cup of tea.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Mixed media, for its playfulness and tactility.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
The list is ever expanding, but if I were to pull names out of a hat: Oliver Jeffers, Anna Bond and Robert Rauschenberg.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
Pop Art. I’m fascinated by the way popular culture, and subsequently “fine art”, was turned on its head. Also the colours! The fashion! The parties!

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
Growing up, I was continuously entranced by my older sister’s school art projects. Since then I’ve spent most of my time trying to emulate her creative awesomeness.

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often?


What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
The very beginning when new worlds, personas and ideas are conjured up.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Draw, draw, draw. It’s key to know your strengths, but it’s also important to experiment with different mediums, palettes and techniques. And of course – have fun.


After graduating from the University of Technology Sydney in 2009, Amy Daoud spent time in a handful of design studios before accepting the role as Junior Designer at Walker Books Australia in 2011. Since then, she has worked across a diverse range of genres, creating covers and internal design for junior fiction, young adult and non-fiction titles. Working as Designer today, Amy now also art directs illustrators on picture book titles from storyboard to finished art. Magrit, written by lee Battersby, is her first book. You can follow Amy on Instagram at @amoki.