James Pyle
Illustration Winner 2008
(Interviewed 2nd December 2009)
"The Northern Design Competition has given me the confidence to continue with my particular style of illustration. Until the recognition of the NDC judges, it was difficult to gauge how successful my work could be.
It is a style that I have made my own and I intend to build on it, taking it in different directions but always focussing on the original concept.
On the awards day I was fortunate to meet other students along with tutors and organisers. We had the opportunity to talk about our work during the exhibition and awards dinner, and afterwards, more informally, in the pub. I developed quite a few new ideas from that very interesting experience.
To receive the award was a pleasant surprise and it was great to win it in 2008. I was coming to the end of my M.A. and it helped me to consolidate and focus on my work knowing it was being positively received. It gave me even more drive to enter the design world after student life.
My plans for the future were definitely boosted by winning the NDC. I gained my MA later that year with work directly related to the winning piece. Shortly after graduating, I moved to Stuttgart for 2 months to gain more, inspiration and experience."
