The Association of Illustrators (AOI) is a British
trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific Industry (economics), industry. An industry tra ...
for
illustration
An illustration is a decoration, interpretation or visual explanation of a text, concept or process, designed for integration in print and digital published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, vid ...
, to advance and protect illustrators' rights. It was established in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
in 1973.
The AOI promotes and encourages commercial and ethical standards within the industry, to improve the standing of illustration as a profession. It actively campaigns to maintain and protect the rights of its members, through the
Pro-Action Campaign and Liaison Group, the
British Copyright Council, the
Creators Rights Alliance and the
European Illustrators Forum
European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to:
In general
* ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe
** Ethnic groups in Europe
** Demographics of Europe
** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe ...
.
With over 1,800 members, including freelance illustrators, agents, students, colleges and commissioners, the AOI provides support, advice and education to members of the industry worldwide, at every stage of their career.
Notable illustrators among its patrons include
Ralph Steadman
Ralph Idris Steadman (born 15 May 1936) is a British illustrator best known for his collaboration and friendship with the American writer Hunter S. Thompson. Steadman is renowned for his political and social caricatures, cartoons and picture ...
, Sir
Quentin Blake
Sir Quentin Saxby Blake, (born 16 December 1932) is an English cartoonist, caricaturist, illustrator and children's writer. He has illustrated over 300 books, including 18 written by Roald Dahl, which are among his most popular works. For his ...
,
Shirley Hughes
Winifred Shirley Hughes (16 July 1927 – 25 February 2022) was an English author and illustrator. She wrote more than fifty books, which have sold more than 11.5 million copies, and illustrated more than two hundred. As of 2007, she lived i ...
and
Raymond Briggs
Raymond Redvers Briggs (18 January 1934 – 9 August 2022) was an English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist and author. Achieving critical and popular success among adults and children, he is best known in Britain for his 1978 story ...
.
History
* 1976 - Launch of AOI’s annual exhibition of British illustration, and its linked publication ''Images''
* 1989 - Publication of ''Rights'' by AOI, to help illustrators with legal issues such as contracts and copyright
* 2002 - Launch o
www.theaoi.comas a general resource for both commissioners and illustrators.
See also
*
Society of Strip Illustration
The Society of Strip Illustration (SSI), later known as the Comics Creators Guild, was a British network for all those involved in any stage of the creative process of comics production. The SSI, which was co-founded in 1977 by Denis Gifford, met ...
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
1973 establishments in the United Kingdom
Arts organisations based in the United Kingdom
Professional associations based in the United Kingdom
Organisations based in the City of Westminster
Trade unions in the United Kingdom