PATRICK GEORGE: Featured Artist February 2012

Having studied illustration at Falmouth School of Art I joined a graphic design company where my role evolved from illustrator to graphic designer. For part of that time I was fortunate enough to work with Derek Birdsall, who taught me to appreciate the simplicity of an idea and its execution. I left in 2009 to start publishing my own books, combining my skills in design and illustration. I work as Patrick George (first names of my two sons) as there seemed to be quite a few working illustrators called Peter Scott already out there.

My first books were compilations of quirky animal collective nouns. ‘A filth of starlings’ was nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal which is awarded by children’s librarians for an outstanding book in terms of illustration.


A shiver of sharks / A confusion of guinea fowl



A parade of elephants / A cloud of bats

I also enjoy dabbling with typography, looking for something hidden amongst the letterforms. Below are a selection of graphic representations of 200 boys’ and girls’ names I did for a book called ‘What’s in a name?’ in 2010.



I signed with Début Art in 2010, where I have enjoyed working on a variety of projects across editorial, advertising, publishing, film and music industries, for clients including GQ, Men’s Health, The Times, Dell, Little, Brown Book Group and EMI.


Cupidtino: a new online dating service for Apple fans (GQ)


Radio wars: does DAB stand a chance in the battle against the mighty analogue (GQ) / Tantric sex (GQ)



A series for the ‘Talk’ section of GQ: Parisian social scene / Open relationships / Erotic hypnosis


I am being asked more and more to create info graphics for clients. This gives me the opportunity to exploit the often frivolous nature of the information. Below are examples from Measuring Margate and Men’s Health.






‘Clear & Present Danger’ (below), commissioned by GreenSource magazine, has recently won an award at the SPOTS annual illustration competition. The Society of Publication Designers sponsors the SPOTS competition each year to champion the use of small-space commissioned illustrations in editorial publications.


‘Clear & Present Danger’, GreenSource Magazine / Radio 4 Afternoon Play ‘Coalition’, Radio Times

I continue to publish my own books alongside commissioned work. I’m currently working on a series of books for young children based on the five senses which aims to handle the subject matter in a fun and humorous way.




See more of Patrick George’s work in his AOI Portfolio and at www.debutart.com