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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
Edward Gorey
Graphic Design
Inspiration

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes371Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsVisual Arts

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Artwork for The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, Yuko Shimizu about how illustrators can manage their fear of failure; how to negotiate with illustration clients; what necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful; and more.

To l... more

YouTube

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and writer, Jon Klassen about how mid-century UPA cartoons led him to a children’s book career; why illustrators can use quieter color palettes (despite being told otherwise); why illustrators sh... more

YouTube

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, Ann Telnaes about her news-making departure from The Washington Post; how illustrators can combat cynicism; what advice she has for struggling illustrators; and more.

To learn... more

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator, Cátia Chien about balancing her personal and artistic lives; how the nervous system and the creative process are intertwined; what basic, boring advice every artist should follow; and ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Leslie Cober
Illustrator, educator, president of the Society of Illustrators
Society of Illustrators
Episode: Leslie Cober
Julien Chung
New York Times best-selling illustrator
Self-employed / children's publishing in multiple markets
Episode: Julien Chung
Brian Pinkney
Renowned children's book illustrator and author
Independent/Various publishers
Episode: From the Archive: Brian Pinkney

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 625 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 Kingdom2 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 States4 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 Kingdom4 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 States5 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 States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the real-world, actionable advice.
The show is described as inspiring and a practical resource for emerging illustrators.
Fans appreciate the honest, behind-the-scenes look at the publishing and illustration industries.
Great host who asks thoughtful questions and respects guests.
Guests are consistently high-caliber and cover a wide range of creative careers.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Ann Telnaes
Q: How has moving to Substack affected your relationship with your audience?
Open Windows has allowed more direct interaction with readers, enabling a sense of community; paid subscribers can comment, which provides valuable feedback and keeps me connected to my audience beyond traditional newspaper comments sections.
Ann Telnaes
Q: What led you to resign from The Washington Post, and how did you navigate the fallout?
I left after realizing the editor's decision not to run a cartoon that critiqued power dynamics would prevent me from doing my best work, and I trusted my gut about staying true to my craft despite the consequences and headlines.
From the Archive: Lane Smith
Q: What piece of advice would you like to share with illustrators trying to break in today?
Perseverance is key. If you love it enough, keep at it, and opportunities will come. Stay committed, keep painting, and be ready when a chance appears, because someone will take a chance on you.
Cátia Chien
Q: What everyday habit helps you sustain your creative work?
She shares that planning and organizing each day, often via a simple Excel spreadsheet, helps manage time, reduce procrastination, and keep her nervous system calm for better focus and productivity.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Illustration Department Podcast

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

Across episodes, listeners hear candid conversations with illustrators, editors, art directors, and publishing professionals about real-world career paths, craft, and the business side of visual storytelling. Topics span from personal creativity, mentorship, and resilience to practical how-tos on pitching, portfolio development, and navigating publishing—along with timely debates about AI, technology, and the evolving industry. Noteworthy are deep dives into color, style, and editorial process, plus stories of community, collaboration, and sustaining a creative practice over decades. The show often blends technical insight with human perspectives, making it useful for anyone plotting a long-term illustration or publishing career and curious... more

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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. The Good Ship Illustration
2. 3 Point Perspective: The Illustration Podcast
3. Creative Pep Talk
4. Windowsill Chats
5. Thoughts on Illustration

How many episodes of The Illustration Department Podcast are there?

The Illustration Department Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 371 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Illustration Department Podcast?

Recent guests on The Illustration Department Podcast include:

1. Yuko Shimizu
2. Jon Klassen
3. Ann Telnaes
4. Cátia Chien
5. Lane Smith
6. Micha Archer
7. Leslie Cober
8. Julien Chung

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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