“Another disturbing trend: the lack of illustration and especially information graphics in so many newspapers. These are the tools that newspapers can use to distinguish their content from the pack and add context and understanding to their report.”

I can’t agree more and have similar conversations all the time.

Something I have to ask tho is, are SND really supporting the use of illustrations?

As an illustrator I find it dismaying that SND gives 11 categories with sub-categories to design – with consideration to 3 tiers of circulation, 2 categories and sub-categories to information graphics and photography – again with consideration to 3 tiers of circulation. Yet for illustration there’s only one category, less sub-categories and NO consideration to circulation. This makes it far more difficult for an illustrator to win than it does for graphics, photography and especially design.

As an art director I find this frustrating because management only take into account the final numbers so in management’s eyes photography, graphics and especially design get an unfair advantage over illustration in looking like they’re doing better.

So while you’re saying newspapers aren’t realising the value and opportunity of including more illustrations (and graphics) the stacked deck results in the ‘final numbers’ that re-enforce their ignorance.

It’s also my experience that illustrations often dictate the design of a page by coming up with the concept, execution and placement of heading and text. If the designer gets it right, they win an award. The artist gets a mention but the award goes to the designer – because it wins in a design category not an illustration category.

I realise that illustration is probably the most subjective of all the newspaper arts, making it harder to judge but I don’t think the SND awards in their current form properly represent the role that illustration plays.

Our paper also enters entries to newspaper awards across Asia that don’t even have illustration as a section, this makes design, photography and graphics look stronger than illustration.

There’s a reason illustration is bottom of the food chain in newspapers. Actually it’s the most difficult of the disciplines to reach a print worthy level of. Ask any illustrator, it’s not a gift from god, it’s a hell of a lot of effort and practice. We’re always being sought after and wowing ppl .. well that’s great, but we’re also taken for granted and thought of as ‘gifted’ as if we’re lucky.

I’ve done design. It’s a walk in the park compared to illustration. I love designing actually, but how about we give illustration a fairer due?