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Artwork for The Illustration Department Podcast

The Illustration Department Podcast

Giuseppe Castellano
Illustration
Creativity
Publishing
Mental Health
Creative Process
Social Media
Children's Books
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes368Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsVisual Arts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes

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

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and author, Lane Smith about how he went from illustrating an album cover for Oingo Boingo, to publishing his first picture book; what he doesn’t like about the term “kid-friendly” when... more

YouTube

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and author, Micha Archer about what illustrators can do when they don’t feel motivated to illustrate; what creative value collage brings to her work; what it takes for illustrators to g... more

YouTube

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, educator, and President of the Society of Illustrators, Leslie Cober about who the great Alan Cober was as an illustrator and a father; how she’s come to wear all of her creative hats; what advice her dad wou... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Travis Jonker
School librarian, blogger, podcaster, author, and illustrator
100 Scope Notes / School Library Journal
Episode: Travis Jonker
Sophie Blackall
Two-time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and author
Author/Illustrator
Episode: Sophie Blackall
Luis Mendo
drawer and writer
Episode: Luis Mendo
LeUyen Pham
Eisner Award and Caldecott Honor-winning children's book creator
Episode: LeUyen Pham
Michelle Komie
Publisher for art and architecture at Princeton University Press
Princeton University Press
Episode: Michelle Komie and D.B. Dowd

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 620 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 Kingdom24 days 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 States3 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 States4 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 States5 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.

Apple Podcasts
#42
United States/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#19
Canada/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#70
United Kingdom/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#15
Italy/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#117
Australia/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#170
Germany/Arts/Visual Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Julien Chung
Q: In a field that often prizes early-start success, how did you approach turning to children's books later in your career?
Chung emphasizes sustained passion for picture books, learning from a broad exposure to visual storytelling, and a strategic openness to new markets and formats, which allowed him to transition successfully despite late entry.
From the Archive: Brian Pinkney
Q: What piece of advice would you share with illustrators listening to this episode?
Reconnect with the original spark you felt as a child when you first wanted to make art, and find ways to connect with that joy to guide your ongoing creative journey.
Sophie Blackall
Q: What should illustrators consider when faced with industry critique about a subdued palette or rhyming text?
Evaluate whether the weaknesses being suggested are truly inherent to their voice; break rules thoughtfully but stay true to the story and their own artistic instincts, using critique as a guide rather than a mandate.
Sophie Blackall
Q: How do you find a way to make art when life is heaviest?
Art is the catharsis and therapy that helps process everything else; it provides a reason to keep going and a means to translate difficult experiences into something meaningful.
Tom Froese
Q: How do you handle the idea of AI and automation in the creative field?
Creativity remains valuable not just for output but for the process and thinking; be aware of shortcuts, but don't abandon the human aspects of making and ideation.

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?

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 368 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. Micha Archer
2. Leslie Cober
3. Julien Chung
4. Brian Pinkney
5. Travis Jonker
6. Sophie Blackall
7. Luis Mendo
8. LeUyen Pham

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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