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Artwork for The Illustration Department Podcast

The Illustration Department Podcast

Giuseppe Castellano
Illustration
Creativity
Publishing
Mental Health
Children's Books
Creative Process
Social Media
Children's Literature
Art Direction
Children's Publishing
Publishing Industry
Editorial Illustration
Character Design
Generative AI
Comics
The New Yorker
Art Education
Picture Books
Edward Gorey
Graphic Design

Giuseppe Castellano talks to folks in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields about the ups and downs of their careers.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes377Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Visual ArtsArtsBooks

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Artwork for The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and writer, Shawn Harris about the difference between detail and specificity in an illustration; what a picture book can be about (hint: literally everything); how illustrators can colo... more

YouTube

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, educator, and creative investigator, Sterling Hundley about why it’s challenging for artists to find a “voice”; why it’s important to stay present—especially for creative and depressive types; why illustrator... more

YouTube

Giuseppe Castellano talks to writer, producer, and co-creator of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra, Michael Dante DiMartino, about the challenges he faced in self-publishing his young adult novel, Both Here and Gone; ... more

YouTube

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, author, and educator, Catarina Sobral about how she uses color to keep her illustrations in balance; what people misunderstand about the picture book as an art form; why moments of tangible happ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Catarina Sobral
Award-winning illustrator, author, and educator
Episode: Catarina Sobral
Emiliano Ponzi
Visual artist
Episode: Emiliano Ponzi
Kathleen Merz
Editorial Director at Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Episode: Kathleen Merz
Yuko Shimizu
Guest illustrator featured in the archive episode
Episode: From the archive: Yuko Shimizu
Jon Klassen
Award-winning illustrator and writer
Publisher affiliations discussed (e.g., Candlewick Press)
Episode: Jon Klassen
Ann Telnaes
Pulitzer Prize–winning editorial cartoonist
Open Windows (Telnaes's Substack)
Episode: Ann Telnaes
Cátia Chien
Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator
Self-employed/Illustrator
Episode: Cátia Chien
Lane Smith
Award-winning author-illustrator known for Grandpa Green, Halloween ABC, and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
Children's book industry
Episode: From the Archive: Lane Smith
Micha Archer
Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and author
Episode: Micha Archer

Host

Giuseppe Castellano
Host of The Illustration Department Podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 628 ratings
  • Saviour and an inspiration

    I’ve Been listening since 2022. I’m very much a nervous, awkward behind-the-scenes kind of person and Giuseppe Castellano’s podcast has been my saviour, my inspiration and motivation to keep going on my illustration path. Life has thrown some difficult curveballs for me, slowing my progression and it’s been the amazing guests, stories, calm, mellow often funny moments in between the professional wisdom stuff, that has given me joy and insight, showing me the way to practice what I love outside o... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    battie mcbateye
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Thank you for your company and advice!

    I really enjoy your interviews, and I appreciate the opportunity to better understand your viewpoint and your guests. Illustration is hard; I’m tough on myself! So listening to your podcast usually makes me feel like I’m okay and on the right path.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    valoirex
    United States6 months ago
  • perfect podcast blend!

    Having a lifelong interest in illustration I find The illustration department

    podcast to be an absolute goldmine. Giuseppe brings a perfect mix of creative guests, but it’s his honest and thoughtful interview style that makes it truly stand out. The format and content are highly enjoyable and interesting offering a an expert look at the professional world of art. A genuine must listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PowerDoodler
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Best illustration professionals interviewed

    The best podcast about illustration, interviewing the top professionals from the field. The first thing I listen to every Tuesday morning.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LapizLazuli 2024
    United States6 months ago
  • Loved Selina Alko episode

    I really enjoyed the Selina Alko episode, I would love to hear more women illustrators (not just art directors/agents)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gracelin_bffpod
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts establish a thoughtful, respectful interview rhythm that favors depth over hype.
Consistently valuable interviews with top illustrators and editors.
Listeners praise the show for practical career advice and candid industry insights.
Strong sense of community and mentorship around illustration careers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#65
United States/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#122
United Kingdom/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#177
Canada/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#49
Italy/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#111
Australia/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#112
Germany/Arts/Visual Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From the Archive: Michael Dante DiMartino
Q: What did you find most challenging about self-publishing?
The marketing side was the hardest part, followed by getting the book out there and finding the right channels; I focused on professional presentation with an editor and a designer, but selling it broadly requires ongoing outreach and stepping into new distribution channels.
Catarina Sobral
Q: What is the most common pain point students experience with narrative balance between text and image in their work?
The guests discuss the difficulty of aligning text and image so they speak the same message or intentionally create a deliberate gap; too many voices and conflicting advice from various mentors can confuse students, and the key is understanding the underlying mechanisms of balance rather than copying others.
Catarina Sobral
Q: But how do you know if your intuition is leading you in a direction worth going?
Catarina explains that intuition often signals a potential solution, but it needs time to settle; she suggests letting ideas sit for a day or more to see if they hold up, and using whatever feels like a meaningful solution as a starting point rather than blindly following a gut impulse.
Emiliano Ponzi
Q: What common thread connects Emiliano Ponzi's varied clients over the years?
Ponzi explains that the underlying thread is a balance between thoughtful planning and allowing space for chaos, testing ideas conceptually, and using a rational mindset to ensure every concept meets the brief while preserving personal voice.
Ann Telnaes
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?
Focus on fundamentals, be serious about learning drawing skills, and stay adaptable; let your love for the craft drive you, not prizes or fame, and be open to doors that may open in unexpected ways.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Illustration Department Podcast

What is The Illustration Department Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show spotlights a wide range of creatives at the intersection of illustration, publishing, and visual storytelling. Across episodes, listeners encounter in-depth conversations with celebrated illustrators, editors, and designers, often unpacking career trajectories, craft, and practical steps for breaking into or sustaining a creative practice. The format blends personal storytelling with actionable advice on portfolio building, publishing processes, collaboration, and navigating industry shifts. A standout quality is its consistently candid interviews with top-name guests, plus a clear emphasis on mentorship, craft, and sustainable creative living that resonates with both emerging and established artists.

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How many listeners does The Illustration Department Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Illustration Department Podcast have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Illustration Department Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Illustration Department Podcast:

1. 3 Point Perspective: The Illustration Podcast
2. The Good Ship Illustration
3. Windowsill Chats
4. Creative Pep Talk
5. Learn to Paint Podcast

How many episodes of The Illustration Department Podcast are there?

The Illustration Department Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 377 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Illustration Department Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Illustration Department Podcast?

Recent guests on The Illustration Department Podcast include:

1. Catarina Sobral
2. Emiliano Ponzi
3. Kathleen Merz
4. Yuko Shimizu
5. Jon Klassen
6. Ann Telnaes
7. Cátia Chien
8. Lane Smith

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