FUTURE MAKERS

Get feedback from commissioners at the Guardian

Each year we welcome 3 emerging artists to join Grand Matter as part of our Future Makers programme. And this year is no different, with the exception of a few very exciting additions––we're teaming up with some of the awesome illustration commissioners at the Guardian, to offer one-on-one portfolio reviews to a shortlist of applicants!

If you're an emerging artist and you've faced barriers then Future Makers is for you. It's an open call out, and the 3 artists selected to join will have Grand Matter as their agent for the year, with our support and guidance, and the chance to work together on commercial projects.

But we want to be able to offer more opportunities for emerging artists to get ahead. It's a tough industry to crack, especially at the moment, and it's by no means a level playing field. So this year, in addition, we'll be selecting 10 applicants to meet with a real illustration commissioner for valuable one-on-one feedback and advice. 

We're honoured to introduce Bernard, Rosa, Anthony and Jessica from the Guardian! 

Bernard Bannor, Digital Designer, the Guardian

After three years in finance, I transitioned to the creative industry to pursue my passion for design and joined the Guardian in 2021. I design and animate dynamic display and co-branded assets for clients, creating campaigns for brands like GiffGaff, Google, and Lily O'Brien. 

I also run my own design studio, and I’m one third of the creative podcast, Rule of Thirds, where we speak about art, design and culture, sharing our experiences in the creative industry to educate and inspire people from Black and underrepresented communities through nuanced conversations.

@bernsjnr
www.bernsds.com

Rosa Finnegan, Senior Designer, the Guardian

I create content in print and online. I enjoy the variety of working with different brands and one of the aspects of my job that I enjoy most is collaborating with illustrators to bring content to life.

I started out designing magazines 18 years ago, before shifting into designing branded content for editorial publications and news brands such as The Independent and the Evening Standard, before joining the Guardian in 2017. 

Anthony Huggins, Lead Designer, the Guardian

My 25 years design experience, with a passion for print design, spans in-house agencies and leading publishers such as the BBC and Time Out. My 11 years at Time Out saw me work in several roles before becoming Art Director, creating covers and helping to launch numerous international editions. Since 2018 I have worked at the Guardian, and currently work within the advertising department leading the art direction on campaigns such as Levis, CRUK and Oatly. 

I enjoy collecting books on design – and love books about design history, logo creation and branding guidelines.

@hugginsdesign
www.anthonyhuggins.co.uk

Jessica Ballard, Senior Designer, the Guardian

I’ve worked at the Guardian for the past decade, primarily with the advertising teams, creating engaging co-branded content for a variety of different clients from Adobe to Audible. I specialise in designing harmonious visuals, blending images with illustrative marks and interesting compositions and have a passion for commissioning bespoke illustration for a range of clients and briefs. 

Beyond the Guardian I collaborate with galleries on the art direction and design for global art fairs, including Frieze and TEFAF. Previously, I worked as a creative consultant for luxury brands such as Manolo Blahnik and Connolly.

@jes.sica.studios

It's a tough time in the creative industry right now. It feels vital to nurture emerging talent more than ever. We're super stoked to be partnering with some wonderful people at the Guardian who commission illustration to help do this.

– Dorcas Brown, Grand Matter Co-Founder 

–––

Applying for Future Makers is a great way to make connections, build community and have your work seen by commissioning clients.

10 artists will be offered the opportunity to meet with a commissioning editor at The Guardian for an online portfolio review. 

Everyone who applies will be featured in a special round-up sent to our top clients, and remain in our agency notebook of ones to watch.

Find out more and apply by 31st March 2025!

www.grandmatter.com/futuremakers

London

New York