2023 - 2026 Philosophy & Politics (BSc) at the University of Bristol (2:1)
Dissertation title. Fonts are political: a social semiotic analysis of typography in relation to national identity, cultural hegemony, and othering.
2022-2023 Foundation Illustration at UAL Camberwell (Distinction)
I'm currently a Philosophy and Politics graduate (!!!) with high hopes of turning this illustration thing into a full-time gig one day.
Five years ago, I would’ve hated being called an illustrator.
Mr Watson, my A-Level art teacher, was the first to describe my work as illustrative. I wasn’t sure what that meant, except that it sounded like something lesser than ‘fine art’. To me, illustrators were the ones relegated to children’s books, and at fifteen I had lofty ambitions of being a ‘proper artist.’
Mr Watson, my A-Level art teacher, was the first to describe my work as illustrative. I wasn’t sure what that meant, except that it sounded like something lesser than ‘fine art’. To me, illustrators were the ones relegated to children’s books, and at fifteen I had lofty ambitions of being a ‘proper artist.’
Two years later, in my first week at UAL, a communications tutor said the same thing. This time, I quietly thanked Mr Watson for preparing me, and eagerly agreed.
At Camberwell, I specialised in Illustration. Taught by Noel Bramley, I learned to love the word. She showed me that illustrators are storytellers. And that, I could be charmed by.
Looking back, what once felt like scattered pursuits now makes perfect sense. Studying Philosophy and Politics means I spend most of my time reading stories in the library — though I’m sure the authors of those academic papers would like to think of themselves as the fine artists of their field.
And maybe because I couldn’t get enough of good stories, I was also Co Editor-in-Chief of Epigram, the University of Bristol’s student newspaper. If you've exhausted the content on this website, you can go and read more of my writing here.
Thanks for stopping by — I hope you enjoy the work, and if something resonates, I’d love to hear from you.
Liebe Grüße, Julia <3
James Lewis, my Co Editor, and I, at the Student Publication Awards Conference 2025 in Exeter.
Student Publication Awards:
2025 Regionals: Best Design & Outstanding Commitment
2025 Nationals: Best Publication & Best Initiative (Break the Mould)
2026 Regionals: Best Publication, Best Design & Best Digital
2026 Nationals: Best Design, Highly Commended for Best Publication & shortlisted for Best Comment article.
some photos of me while hard at work at art school ;) fun fact: the header of this website is my messy desk from the foundation studio in camberwell !!
pastel drawing of young me by my granny, Joan Mullins.