This weeks feature is with the very talented illustrator and animator, Rosie! Rosie's work focuses on condensing complex subject matter into accessible visuals. Through exploring dynamic compositions with vibrant colours, she seeks to connect people to the important topics impacting our world today, by creating visually engaging and informative channels to introduce complicated ideas.
So let's start at the beginning, why did you decide to become an illustrator and animator and how has that evolved over time?
Only in the past few years! When I was younger, I was on track to study Geography, with a place at Glasgow University for the coming year. During a year out between leaving school and then, I decided to do a portfolio course at Glasgow School of Art. I had always loved art and design, but doing that course gave me the courage and realisation that I could pursue it as a career. So I gave up my place at Glasgow Uni and went to Glasgow School of Art to study Communication Design instead and I’m so glad that I did!
Only in the past few years! When I was younger, I was on track to study Geography, with a place at Glasgow University for the coming year. During a year out between leaving school and then, I decided to do a portfolio course at Glasgow School of Art. I had always loved art and design, but doing that course gave me the courage and realisation that I could pursue it as a career. So I gave up my place at Glasgow Uni and went to Glasgow School of Art to study Communication Design instead and I’m so glad that I did!
What are your main motivations and inspirations behind your work?
My practice widely focuses on analysing complex information, both in the form of audio and written text, and developing ways of condensing this information into easily digestible visuals. The driving force behind my work has always been to ensure that information is accessible for everyone, and through exploring dynamic compositions with vibrant colours, I seek to connect people to the important topics impacting our world today.
I seek to connect people to the important topics impacting our world today.
There is definitely a lot of colour throughout your projects; can you tell us a little about how you developed your visual style over time ?
Yes! Throughout my creative practice, colour has always been at the forefront. When I started at university, I mostly pursued photography, which took on the form of abstract pieces, using colour to capture a certain atmosphere or feeling. I think that gave me a really good grasp of the semiotics of colour, which has helped me greatly now that I’ve moved more towards illustration and animation. I use bold, exciting colour palettes to draw people in, injecting life into subject matters that could otherwise be seen as quite tedious to learn about.
Yes! Throughout my creative practice, colour has always been at the forefront. When I started at university, I mostly pursued photography, which took on the form of abstract pieces, using colour to capture a certain atmosphere or feeling. I think that gave me a really good grasp of the semiotics of colour, which has helped me greatly now that I’ve moved more towards illustration and animation. I use bold, exciting colour palettes to draw people in, injecting life into subject matters that could otherwise be seen as quite tedious to learn about.
I use bold, exciting colour palettes to draw people in, injecting life into subject matters that could otherwise be seen as quite tedious to learn about.
Huge congratulations on graduating! What does a workday in the life of Rosie look like at the moment?
Thank you very much! I have been incredibly lucky since leaving university, and have secured a graduate job at a digital media company producing educational content. I am also working on a very exciting animation project that will be released soon, and I have a third job working at Saltspace- a small arts cooperative in Glasgow. So quite a lot to juggle at the moment! But all jobs and projects that I’m really passionate about, so totally worth it.
Do you have any tips for those struggling with burnout?
Very ironic since I’ve just told you that I have three jobs haha- but my advice would be to not overstretch yourself! There can be a lot of pressure as an emerging creative to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, but it’s important to not take too much on and make sure that you have plenty of time to be enjoying your life away from work.
There can be a lot of pressure as an emerging creative to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, but it’s important to not take too much on
Have you experienced imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a creative? If so, how have you tackled this?
Absolutely. Just before the pandemic I was struggling a lot with imposter syndrome. I hated showing anyone my work and would do everything I could to hide my practice from the world. But lockdown gave me the space and time to be introspective. Until 2020, I was primarily making work that I thought other people wanted to see, whether that was my tutors and peers at university or people on social media. I was extremely burnt out and this definitely enhanced the self-doubt I was feeling. During lockdown, I decided to start making work that I wanted to make, for me. This was really when my imposter syndrome went away- when I became less concerned with what other people thought and more concerned about whether I was happy with myself/my practice.
During lockdown, I decided to start making work that I wanted to make, for me. This was really when my imposter syndrome went away
What is your proudest moment of 2022, so far?
That’s a tough question, 2022 has been such a big year! I would have to say my Degree Show. I was really lucky to be surrounded by incredibly supportive coursemates and friends during my time at university, and seeing the culmination of everyone’s hard work and perseverance through lockdown, limited access to facilities, and general anxiety over the state of the world, was a very proud moment for us all. I can’t wait to see what everyone does next!
What are your 3 favourite acts of self-care
As an animator, it’s really easy to spend most of the day sitting at my laptop, so the best thing I can do for myself is make sure I get outside and move my body. Going to the gym, for a run, or just for a walk around town really helps. I notice a big difference in my mental health if I don’t do this once a day. Spending a lot of time working alone can also lead to feeling isolated, so I am sure to make plans with friends and family throughout the week, and to take regular breaks from working to do so, which really helps with preventing burnout. I am also a huge bookworm, so spending time in the mornings and evenings reading a good book and switching off from the outside world is the ultimate act of self care for me.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
There are so many women killing it in the animation industry at the moment, which is hugely inspirational for me. Two in particular are Katy Wang and Hannah Jacobs, who were both instrumental in helping me shape my career path in animation. Watching young women emerge into the animation industry and begin successful careers is highly inspirational in showing me that it is also possible for myself.
Watching young women emerge into the animation industry and begin successful careers is highly inspirational in showing me that it is also possible for myself.
Shoutout any she/they creatives of your choice?
The first person I want to shout out is my Mum, Siusan Patterson, who is actually the biggest inspiration for me of them all. She left a career in bookkeeping to go university in 2015 and study painting, and in fact our time at Glasgow School of Art overlapped, so we spent a year there studying at the same time! Watching her emerge from university, evolve her practice, and continually make exciting and important work is the driving force and inspiration behind everything I do. You can find her @siusanart on instagram.
I would also like to shout out Ellen Nacey. We started at university together in 2018, and she has been my biggest support throughout the past 4 years. We have endured highs and lows together, crying together when things went wrong, and celebrating with each other when things went right! I have watched her practice and visual style evolve beautifully over the past few years, and I’m really excited to watch her fly now that we’re out in the ‘real world’. You can find her @ellustrated_ on instagram.
I want to say a massive thank you to Rosie for very honest and inspiring responses to my Q's! I think we creatives make it a bad habit to say 'yes' to every opportunity that comes our way and I think that we all can take on Rosie's advice on burnout and apply it to our practice - Ive defintley taken some notes 😅
You can check out more of Rosie's work on:
