Pencil tip The Context and Strategies of Contemporary Engaged Illustration and Comics

Is studying illustration and graphic design good preparation for life in an era when we are faced with challenges like climate change, the widening wealth gap, and the restriction of human rights? Do these fields have anything to offer in such turbulent times, and can they contribute to making positive change in serious issues? And how can designers’ efforts be truly effective? Pencil Tip is being released on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Fůd, an independent magazine dedicated to socially engaged illustration and comics, and the publication presents the results of five years of research by the magazine’s cofounder, illustrator Barbora Müllerová. In addition to a theoretically oriented introduction, it features the stories and experiences of socially engaged illustrators, highlighting their motivations, observations, and practical knowledge. You will find specific, usable strategies, work procedures, and tips to help you avoid burnout, streamline your work, and actually have an impact on society—whether you paint murals, publish zines, illustrate children’s books, or put on performances in the public space.