View from the Zoo

This is definitely the year of the octopus for Julien Chung Designs. The «Smooth Sailor» illustration was honored this week at 8th annual international 3×3 Children’s Show illustration competition in New York. This is the second year running that Julien has placed in the prestigious contest. Smooth Sailor, from the Modern Ark collection, has appeared on numerous items from chocolate wrappers and candy tins to Nintendo covers, all produced by Japanese licensee Mac Style. The 3×3 shows received entries from 41 countries and is organised by 3×3 magazine of contemporary illustration. The illustration will appear in the 3×3 Annual on newstands this Fall.

A bright article introducing my brand published recently in Korea’s Character Goods magazine.

Two works by Julien have been recently selected for the 8th annual international 3×3 Professional Show illustration competition in New York. The multitasking octopus was published as a self-promotion piece in a lovely book about illustrators and their studios called Work/Life2 while other adaptations have appeared on a licensed product in Japan and in an editorial feature in Canada. The second winning piece is an editorial illustration produced for La Presse newspaper in Montreal, Canada, for a feature on children whose parents are psychologists.  The 3×3 Professional Show received entries from 41 countries and is organised by 3×3 magazine of contemporary illustration. The illustrations will appear in the 3×3 Annual on newstands this Fall.

Uppercase has just published their second edition of Work/Life, a directory of illustrators from around the world. Above is my spread, featuring photos of my studio by Bernard Brault. The book is an enjoyable look at the studios and lives of 100 illustrators from Canada, the US, the UK, Australia and Scandinavia, just to name a few. There are lots of new faces and talent to discover. The editor, Janine Vangool, has done a wonderful job of assembling, designing and writing the book all the while balancing her own work/life. A must read for aspiring illustrators who want to peek into the pros’  minds and the pros who want a peek into their colleagues’ creative spaces.