The SAA are very pleased to be supporting the World Illustration Awards by sponsoring The SAA Agents Award for New Talent.
SAA Member Agents 
In May 2024 Waitrose launched their Farming For Nature programme, committing to source all own label UK meat, milk, eggs, fruit, vegetables and horticulture from farms that use regenerative practices by 2030. James was chosen to illustrate all of the key practices involved as part of a communication poster designed by Jason Ching.
Becca Hall, represented by The Bright Agency, has a debut author/illustrated nonfiction book Epic Journeys: Ocean Voyagers. This epic book is out and we at Bright sat down with Becca to ask her all about what it was like writing her first book, how the process differed from previous projects, and where her passion for underwater migration came from.
What inspired you to create this book?
I’ve always been fascinated by animals and the incredible journeys they make. As a child, I loved filling my world with stories of animals, and I wanted to create the kind of book that would have completely captivated younger me. Migration combines adventure, science and storytelling in such an amazing and accessible way. These animals aren’t just travelling, they’re overcoming enormous challenges to survive, and passing all sorts of things on the way. I wanted children to feel that sense of wonder while also learning just how extraordinary our planet really is. As I am dyslexic, I also wanted to create beautifully illustrated, accessible non-fiction books that make learning easier and more engaging for every child.
Why migration?
Migration felt like the perfect theme because it’s something that connects so many completely different species. Whether it’s a humpback whale crossing oceans, a tiny sea turtle hatchling finding its way into the sea, or sharks travelling along ancient underwater highways, every journey has a purpose.
I also loved that migration naturally creates a story. Every chapter has a beginning, obstacles along the way, and an incredible destination, making it a really engaging way for children to learn about science and the natural world.
Tell us a little about your process. Where did you begin?
The research came first! I spent weeks researching facts, going to museums, watching documentaries, and reading articles to narrow down which migrations to include. Once I’d chosen the seven featured animals, I could then work out how each journey could be told visually.
Once I had my text and facts in place, I sketched rough page layouts, thinking about how readers’ eyes would travel across the spreads and how I could make each migration feel exciting and full of movement, while avoiding big blocks of text that can be off putting or difficult to process for dyslexic readers.
How has your environment helped to shape the book?
Living in Cornwall definitely influenced the way I approached Ocean Voyagers. Being surrounded by the sea reminds me every day that there’s a whole hidden world beneath the surface, with all sorts of creatures and their stories, and it’s so important we look after it. Walking along the coast and watching seabirds, waves and changing seasons helped inspire the sense of movement and scale that runs throughout the book.
I’ve also always loved spending time around nature, whether that’s by the coast or deep in land, and I think that appreciation for wildlife naturally finds its way into my illustrations.
What was your favourite part of creating this book?
It’s hard to pick a favourite part of creating this book because there were so many!
As I’d never written a non-fiction book before, I absolutely loved researching the facts, developing the ideas and planning how I could make this book feel different from others out there. Having the freedom to build something completely from scratch was SO much fun.
I also loved discovering all the incredible facts about animals and their migration journeys. At the end of almost every day, I’d end up telling my husband, Ben, all the amazing things I’d learnt! The fact that I was so excited about the words and the research before I’d even started illustrating felt really special. I hope children have those same “wow!” moments while reading the book.
I’ve also ALWAYS been a lover of the ocean and feel incredibly lucky to live on its doorstep. So getting to illustrate huge underwater scenes and all the amazing creatures that call it home was an absolute joy. I wanted every spread to feel like an adventure that readers could dive straight into.
Can you give us any teasers about the next book?
I’m so excited about this series as a whole!!
The next book, coming out in 2027, is called Land Roamers. This time, we’re following seven more of the world’s most incredible migrations… but on land!
Without giving too much away, you’ll meet everything from vast herds crossing the African plains to millions of bright red crabs taking over an entire island. There are icy adventures, dusty landscapes, dramatic river crossings and some of the biggest animal journeys on Earth.
If you enjoyed Ocean Voyagers, I think you’re going to LOVE exploring life on land too! And if you thought the ocean held some incredible migration stories… just wait until you see what’s happening on land!
The Bright Agency's Sophie Winder has partnered with the Pilgrim Hotel, creating illustrated floor plans that showcase the different rooms they offer. As a character illustrator, Sophie was asked to create characters she could imagine living in each room.
She wants people to see themselves in the characters she has illustrated: “If you can see yourself in one of the characters, you can see yourself in the situation - in this case, you can see yourself in the hotel room, which is really important for the client, the Pilgrim Hotel.
Arena Illustration's Kristyna Litten returns alongside author Kathryn Cristaldi for the newest addition to their much-loved, bestselling I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home series.
SCHOOL IS IN SESSION... in I’ll Love You Till The Sloths Start School, published by HarperCollins. But where are the sloths? This delightfully quirky lullaby follows a class of nocturnal animals - sloths, puppies and piglets among them, through a busy day of crafts, lunch and lessons, before it's finally time for the sloths to arrive for their own school adventure. It's the perfect read-aloud to reassure little ones just how much they're loved, even while they're away at school.
Kristyna's warm, whimsical and boisterous illustrations bring gentle humour and a message of inclusivity to every spread, making this a must-have for fans of the series. Kirkus Reviews called it "outstanding in its field," and it's easy to see why.
Kristyna Litten is represented by Arena Illustration.
We're excited to share that Arena Illustration's Adam Stower has a brand-new picture book out this month, published by HarperCollins! Little Acorn: A Long Way Down is a gorgeous story bursting with charm, humour and heart.
Way up high in the treetops sleeps a happy little acorn - until one day he falls to the forest floor with a THUMP! Dormouse, Bird and Squirrel invite him to dance, sing and play, but there's only one place Little Acorn wants to be: back in the treetops. With a hungry piglet on the loose, the way back isn't easy. Can his new friends help him find the courage to step out of his comfort zone?
This wonderfully funny and reassuring story about friendship is perfect for children facing new experiences, with forests, trees and nature at its heart. It's a beautiful showcase of Adam's imaginative artwork and his gift for exploring big feelings through gentle, playful storytelling.
Adam Stower is already well known and loved for his Murray and Bun series and Little Acorn is a wonderful addition to his growing body of work with HarperCollins.
Adam Stower is represented by Arena Illustration.
We’re very pleased to share that Chuan Ming Ong has won a silver medal from the NY Society of Illustrators in the Institutional and Uncommissioned categories!!
His win in the Institutional category, is for a selection of stories from the comics series that Ming illustrated for the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Great Immigrants Great Americans initiative, which celebrates the contributions of immigrants to American life and democracy.
You can see more of Ming’s work at https://www.debutart.com/artist/chuan-ming-ong?tags=illustration
Peter Grundy (Grundini) created the cover illustration for the latest edition of ACM’s Communications of ACM magazine. The illustration was for a feature about the effects AI has on computer programming and how it made it difficult.
You can see more of Peter’s work at https://www.debutart.com/artist/grundini?tags=all
Florencia Rigiroli, who is represented by Phosphor, has been working on a fully illustrated book inspired by classic fairy tales, reinterpreted through a contemporary and symbolic visual language.
Romper el Hechizo, which translates to Break the Spell, explores the heroine’s journey across different stories, weaving together themes of transformation, inner strength and emotional growth. Classic fairy tales such as Cinderella and The Little Mermaid are reimagined by Graciela Caprarulo and illustrated in Florencia's signature style.
Florencia worked with FERA Design on the books. The visual development involved a comprehensive creative process, from early concept sketches and character exploration to color palette definition and final compositions. Each scene was carefully designed to build a cohesive universe, blending narrative storytelling with rich, ornamental details and a strong botanical influence.
Florencia's illustrations aim to evoke a timeless, magical atmosphere while maintaining a personal and expressive approach. Texture, colour and composition play a key role in guiding the reader’s emotional experience, creating immersive environments that support the narrative.
The project includes cover design, full spreads and a visual identity for the book, developed with attention to both artistic quality and editorial functionality.
Find more of Florencia's work in her portfolio and get in touch with Trina at Phosphor about commissioning her for your next project.
Phosphor's Darren Whittington recently completed a job for Tesco Ireland. Darren did over 80 illustrations for a series of posters depicting badges highlighting good causes supported by the supermarket, as well as Tesco staff.
Darren Whittington is the go-to guy for digital illustration. His previous experience as an Art Director means he understands the client’s needs and always works on-brief and on time.
“I’ve been an illustrator for God knows how long, and dabbled as an advertising Art Director before a planned escape," says Darren. "My illustration career has been quite varied over the years, all starting with drawing on my parents' wallpaper using lipstick and eyeliner, and then winning the Sugar Puffs colouring-in competition when I was 5. Nothing could quite compete with that, until I was commissioned to design prints for fashion designer Michiko Koshino in 1999, which led to illustrating for most of the leading magazines in the UK, and many different styled advertising campaigns for companies such as Coca-Cola, MSN, Vodafone, Orange, The Body Shop, and British Gas."
"The thing I love about being an illustrator," continues Darren, "is the variety of people I can work with, which always pushes my style in new directions, allowing me to explore areas that help me constantly evolve and potentially win the next Sugar Puffs colouring-in competition".
Find more of Darren's work in his portfolio and get in touch with Trina at Phosphor about commissioning him for your next project.
Carles Garcia O'Dowd designs and draws a monumental illustration for Burning Man 2026, inspired by art history, Black Rock City and the festival's unique culture.
Carles' intricate black and white illustration for this year's Burning Man festival, will be displayed at an impressive 13 by 25 feet.
Drawing inspiration from Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights, the composition weaves together references to Black Rock City, kink culture, sensory play and the natural world, alongside nods to iconic works including Francisco de Goya's La Maja Desnuda. Much like Bosch's celebrated triptych, the piece rewards close inspection, with interconnected scenes and hidden details gradually revealing themselves.
Set against the creative backdrop of one of the world's most distinctive arts festivals, the work invites visitors to linger, explore and uncover something new with every viewing.