Good Shippers long listed for BIG awards at WIA
Jun 12, 2025
We're sending BIG congratulations (and a packet of sea biscuits) to the eight brilliant Good Ship students who have been longlisted for the World Illustration Awards!
The World Illustration Awards, presented by the AOI in partnership with the Directory of Illustration, showcase great work being made by illustrators all over the world today.
They had nearly 5000 entries, so it’s a BIG DEAL to be longlisted! Well done, everyone. We are basking in your glory!
Today, we are featuring the work of the longlisted Good Shippers. If you have done one of our courses and made the longlist, too, let us know; we don't want to miss anyone!
Binny Talib Hobbs
Ship's horn, please! Congratulations to Good Shipper Binny Talib Hobbs! Longlisted in Children's Publishing.
She said of her entry...
"I wrote and illustrated this story, drawing inspiration from my own experience of my children moving schools many times, grappling with the challenges of fitting in, and their fear of the dark. This heartfelt story is an exploration of friendship and finding connection under the stars, offering reassurance and resolution as they discover that fears can be faced, and new friendships can bloom."
You can see her shortlisted entry here.
Rafaela Taylor
More exciting wins from a Good Shipper in the World Illustration Awards. We're over the moon to see Rafaela Taylor longlisted in the Children's Publishing category.
She said of her work...
"'I am Katy' playfully explores a child’s reluctance to be labeled and put inside a box. Katy is absorbed in her own project – and most importantly in just being herself – but unfortunately from the outside it’s all too easy for this to be interpreted differently! There is humour as well as frustration in this common type of misunderstanding between adult and child. I hope readers will find either or both viewpoints relatable! The story was inspired by a conversation with a friend’s daughter."
Huge congratulations and a toot from the ship's horn to you, Rafaela! 🙌
See her feature here.
Lemady Rochard
Yet another Shipper on the longlist for the World Illustration Awards! Woohblumminhooo
Lamady is shortlisted for her work 'Love Flows Endlessly'.
She said of her work...
"This project was commissioned by New Buds Publishing House (through The Bright Agency). This was a project to illustrate a children's chapter book by Zhang Wei. The story focussed on the author's family relationships and emotional connections with different animals throughout his life, including his memories as a boy growing up with his family in China."
You can see her feature here.
Nataša Majer
Congratulations to another crew member Nataša Majer!
When asked why she created the work, she said...
"To expand my portfolio and perhaps spark ideas for a future picture book, I joined the Once Upon a Winter 2024 challenge hosted by Orange Beak Studio. My illustrations, inspired by the given prompts (the magician, feather, glimmer, pine, ember, and flight), form a mini narrative about friendship, compassion, and resilience in challenging conditions."
We just love seeing so many of the crew appearing in the longlist. What a talented bunch you are.
There’s an interview with her here.
Naomi Morris
Congratulations to Good Shipper, Naomi Morris. She was longlisted in the Children's Publishing category by the World Illustration Awards for Sooty Jo the Chimney Pot Crow.
Here's what she said of her work...
"Inspired by a family of crows living in our chimney pot, I created a story about a sooty crow called Jo who loves his sooty home but when he’s teased by the other birds for living in a pot, he makes his family to move to a tree. Jo realises in the end, that the best home is where the heart is, even if it is a bit sooty! A story about being true to who you are and where you come from."
Fingers crossed for the WIA shortlist.
There’s an interview with her here.
Lucy Wooler
Our final longlisted Good Shipper is Lucy Wooler. She was longlisted in the Design, Packaging and Product Category for Snow Fairy's Magical Wonderland.
Here's what she said of her work...
"The brief was to create a new gift concept for Lush’s popular Snow Fairy range with a retro feel, abstract dreamscape in a psychedelic, playful and vibrant style. Illustrations had to be applied to a spinning music box tin, with a lid containing cut out elements of the design. The Snow Fairy range's distinctive pink, starry aesthetic was retained but reworked with mushrooms as a central feature."
Huge congratulations, Lucy!
There’s an interview with her here.
Tessa Cobb
Ship's horn, please! Congratulations to Good Shipper Tessa Cobb! Longlisted in Children's Publishing for The Bird That Wants To Boogie.
She said of her entry...
"This picture book is about daring to dance when everyone is watching! The jungle theme was initially inspired by my Peruvian rainforest second-home. I then became obsessed in drawing in topical greenhouses which shaped the books compositions and characters. David Attenborough’s dancing mating-bird videos have always made me laugh, and these inspired the boogying birds in the book."
You can see her shortlisted entry here.
Fruzsina Fölföldi
More exciting wins from a Good Shipper in the World Illustration Awards. We're over the moon to see Fruzsina Fölföldi longlisted in the Design Product & Packaging category.
She said of her work...
"The orchestra's mission is to bring classical music to children through educational programmes in high-poverty areas, performances with disabled youngsters, and an annual children's music festival. They believe that music builds bridges across the deepest divides. My aim was to create a flexible system with playful illustrations that capture the essence of their events and engage more children."
Huge congratulations and a toot from the ship's horn to you, Fruzsina! 🙌
See her feature here.
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