About me

Zara Picken is an illustrator based in the UK. She has been working as an illustrator since graduating from the University of the West of England in Bristol in 2008. Her graphic, ideas-driven work is characterised by a distinctive look that embraces the values of mid-century design. She delivers concise concepts with strong visual impact. She works with a diverse range of international clients, creating illustrations for editorial, publishing and advertising. Over the past decade Zara has worked with The Guardian, Waitrose, Wired, BBC and Times Higher Education, amongst many others. Zara's work has received international recognition from 3x3 Professional Show, Creative Quarterly, AOI Illustration Awards, Associazione Autori di Immagini and Society of Illustrators.

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Projects

• Slipping Through the NetIt was an honour to illustrate a cover and feature for Midwives (official magazine for the Royal College of Midwives), highlighting the amazing job that midwives do. The article highlights their important work in supporting vulnerable women during pregnancy and childbirth - those who are in danger of “slipping through the net”. Vulnerable women include migrants, those who have been trafficked, those in prison, those who are homeless and those with multiple and severe disadvantages. I enjoyed h
• The PlannerA selection of illustrations commissioned by The Planner magazine, for a monthly column written by Louise Brooke-Smith. Most of the articles concern the theme of town planning.
• Vital Magazine - Help at HandI was commissioned to create a series illustrations for Vital magazine, a quarterly publication for ACA accountancy students. The feature discusses the importance of wellbeing in the workplace. The illustrations were created in a felt style, which was an exciting challenge. I created a double page spread and two smaller illustrations, using scanned textures and layering elements with shadows to create a sense of depth.
• WW Magazine - The Power of NowWW Magazine commissioned me to illustrate a feature called ‘The Power of Now’. It was written by Jo Usmar, co-author of 'This Book Will Make You Mindful’. The article discusses how we spend most of our lives worrying about the past or the future instead of living in the present. The first illustration was used as a full page opener, focusing on the anxieties that can preoccupy us. The article talks about strategies for bringing ourselves into the present, which inspired the second illustration
• DirectionA series of illustrations on the theme of direction.
• (Not) Predicting The FutureI was commissioned by the Brunswick Review to create a set of three concept-driven illustrations to accompany an article about Singapore’s “cryptic” think tank.  The article is about the Singapore government, which employs a team of futurists. It is their job to use foresight to anticipate, envision and respond to crisis. They don’t seek to predict or eliminate uncertainty but develop an anticipatory capacity.

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Work history

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IllustratorZara Picken Illustration
Oct 2008Lincoln, United KingdomFreelance
Zara Picken is an illustrator based in the UK. Her graphic, ideas-driven work is characterised by a distinctive look that embraces the values of mid-century design. She delivers concise concepts with strong visual impact. She works with a diverse range of international clients, creating illustrations for editorial, publishing and advertising.

Skills

• Illustration
• Concept Illustration
• Concept Ideas
• Editorial Illustration
• Advertising Artwork
• Publishing
• Book Illustration
• Lettering
• Magazines
• Magazine Artworking

Education

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BA (Hons) IllustrationUniversity of the West of England
Sep 2005 - Nov 2008Bristol, United Kingdom
Illustration BA (Hons) - 1st