I'm Elliot Balson, a freelance artist based in Dundee with a focus on comics. Since graduating in 2015, I've worked as a comic artist and letterer, and I volunteer as a magazine editor. This past decade has sharpened my proofreading, copywriting, and editing skills, and I pride myself on delivering high-quality, publishable work on time, whether collaborating in a team or working independently to meet client briefs. Most of my work has involved the University of Dundee's UniVerse imprint, and I recently collaborated with the University of Strathclyde on Men Minds: Better Health for Young Men, which launched in the Scottish Parliament in May 2025. Since 2023 I also volunteer as the Magazine Editor for Lauder Common Riding Magazine, coordinating advertisers, copy, proofreading, and final publication.

Elliot Balson

I'm Elliot Balson, a freelance artist based in Dundee with a focus on comics. Since graduating in 2015, I've worked as a comic artist and letterer, and I volunteer as a magazine editor. This past decade has sharpened my proofreading, copywriting, and editing skills, and I pride myself on delivering high-quality, publishable work on time, whether collaborating in a team or working independently to meet client briefs. Most of my work has involved the University of Dundee's UniVerse imprint, and I recently collaborated with the University of Strathclyde on Men Minds: Better Health for Young Men, which launched in the Scottish Parliament in May 2025. Since 2023 I also volunteer as the Magazine Editor for Lauder Common Riding Magazine, coordinating advertisers, copy, proofreading, and final publication.

Available to hire

I’m Elliot Balson, a freelance artist based in Dundee with a focus on comics. Since graduating in 2015, I’ve worked as a comic artist and letterer, and I volunteer as a magazine editor. This past decade has sharpened my proofreading, copywriting, and editing skills, and I pride myself on delivering high-quality, publishable work on time, whether collaborating in a team or working independently to meet client briefs.

Most of my work has involved the University of Dundee’s UniVerse imprint, and I recently collaborated with the University of Strathclyde on Men Minds: Better Health for Young Men, which launched in the Scottish Parliament in May 2025. Since 2023 I also volunteer as the Magazine Editor for Lauder Common Riding Magazine, coordinating advertisers, copy, proofreading, and final publication.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Independent Freelance Comic Artist at Ell Balson Art
January 1, 2015 - November 16, 2025
Self-employed as Ell Balson Art since 2015, working primarily as a Comic Artist and Letterer. Projects have spanned varied styles and audiences, with a significant portion produced for the University of Dundee and UniVerse imprint. Most recently collaborated with the University of Strathclyde on Men Minds: Better Health for Young Men, launched in the Scottish Parliament in May 2025.
Magazine Editor at Lauder Common Riding Magazine
January 1, 2023 - November 16, 2025
Voluntary Editor for Lauder Common Riding Magazine since 2023. Responsibilities include liaising with advertisers, Committee Members, Principals, and Photographers; typing up copy; proofreading; and coordinating with the printer for final publication.

Education

MLitt Comic Studies at University of Dundee
September 1, 2015 - August 31, 2016
Bachelor’s Degree – 2:2 at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
September 1, 2011 - May 1, 2015
MLitt Comic Studies at The University of Dundee
September 1, 2015 - August 31, 2016
Bachelor's Degree at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
September 1, 2011 - May 31, 2015

Qualifications

Master of Literature - Comic Studies
September 1, 2015 - December 1, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Other
    uniE621 Dead Men Tell Tales - Wife Swapping
    Anthology Comic. In this tale, two swingers make a plan to leave their partners and finally be together - by any means necessary. illustrator
    uniE621 Men Minds
    To normalise conversations about mental health, and reduce stigma, Men Minds has created a comic aimed at boys and young men. Produced in conjunction with comic artists Ell Balson, Megan Sinclair, and UniVerse Comics at the University of Dundee, the stories in the comic are based on real-life experiences that have been shared during the research, although the characters in the comic are fictional. The comic is published today and is free to download, with hard copies made available to key organisations and individuals working with boys and young men. By sharing these stories, Men Minds hopes to reassure young men that they are not alone. illustrator