I’m Nigel Spaven, professional cartoonist and illustrator with 25 years of experience creating original artwork to bring ideas to life. My portfolio showcases numerous published works for both private and public sectors, including a national (UK) educational project for children (BLAST Programme), designed for children aged 3-5 years and linked to the curriculum. The project involved the design of a BLAST family of characters along with 200 illustrations for visual learning material including six story books. Adaptable to different styles, my work has covered many areas including occupational H&S visual communication aids, advertising and marketing campaigns, animated road safety videos for schools, children’s storybook illustration, technical illustration and much more... Previously employed as a graphic designer/artist developing ideas for all manner of printed material from posters to brochures. I’m passionate about my craft and thoroughly enjoy the creative journey with my clients; from developing ideas and draft sketches, through to the final artwork.…

Nigel Spaven

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I’m Nigel Spaven, professional cartoonist and illustrator with 25 years of experience creating original artwork to bring ideas to life. My portfolio showcases numerous published works for both private and public sectors, including a national (UK) educational project for children (BLAST Programme), designed for children aged 3-5 years and linked to the curriculum. The project involved the design of a BLAST family of characters along with 200 illustrations for visual learning material including six story books. Adaptable to different styles, my work has covered many areas including occupational H&S visual communication aids, advertising and marketing campaigns, animated road safety videos for schools, children’s storybook illustration, technical illustration and much more... Previously employed as a graphic designer/artist developing ideas for all manner of printed material from posters to brochures. I’m passionate about my craft and thoroughly enjoy the creative journey with my clients; from developing ideas and draft sketches, through to the final artwork.…

Available to hire

I’m Nigel Spaven, professional cartoonist and illustrator with 25 years of experience creating original artwork to bring ideas to life.

My portfolio showcases numerous published works for both private and public sectors, including a national (UK) educational project for children (BLAST Programme), designed for children aged 3-5 years and linked to the curriculum. The project involved the design of a BLAST family of characters along with 200 illustrations for visual learning material including six story books.

Adaptable to different styles, my work has covered many areas including occupational H&S visual communication aids, advertising and marketing campaigns, animated road safety videos for schools, children’s storybook illustration, technical illustration and much more…

Previously employed as a graphic designer/artist developing ideas for all manner of printed material from posters to brochures.

I’m passionate about my craft and thoroughly enjoy the creative journey with my clients; from developing ideas and draft sketches, through to the final artwork.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Director at Spaven Art Ltd
September 5, 2016 - Present
Creating professional, original illustration to bring ideas, projects and campaigns to life where visual communication is essential.
Freelance Illustrator at Self Employed
January 3, 2000 - September 2, 2016
Providing cartoon and illustration for private and public sector, including art workshops and painted murals in schools.
Graphic Designer at Ords Group
February 4, 1980 - December 17, 1999
Design and layout of visuals and text for all manner of print media.

Education

City and Guilds (Graphic Communication Industries) at Kitson College of Technology, Leeds
September 11, 1989 - May 2, 1991
Apprenticeship at Newcastle College of Arts and Technology
September 8, 1980 - June 1, 1983

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Professional Services
    uniE621 Spot the BLAST family
    A 'Where's Wally' style illustration produced as part of the BLAST Programme (Boosting Language Auditory Skills and Talking). BLAST is a nationwide programme supporting the development of speech, language and communication in foundation stage children. It is linked to the curriculum and is viewed as good practice in developing listening and speaking skills. The project involved the design of a family of characters and production of approximately 200 illustrations for a variety of learning aids including six storybooks. Written by speech and language therapist Nikki Joyce and illustrated by Nigel Spaven. https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 Blast Programme learning aids
    BLAST (Boosting Language Auditory Skills and Talking) is a programme designed for children of nursery and reception ages. There are over 5,000 trained users who have helped deliver the programme to nearly 1.7 million children in the UK. The project included the design of a family of characters and creation of 200 illustrations. The programme comprises a variety of learning aids including six storybooks which focus on the family's interactions with each other and their everyday environment. Written by language therapist Nikki Joyce and illustrated by Nigel Spaven.…
    uniE621 Sure Start autumn timetable cover illustration
    Designed for Sure Start, incorporating specific cartoon characters familiar to the children using Sure Start facilities and learning aids.…
    uniE621 'The Wizard's House' storybook illustration
    Illustration for a children's storybook project showing the interior of a wizard's house. https://www.twine.net/signin illustrator…
    uniE621 'Tree of Wisdom' storybook illustration
    One of a series of illustrations created for Helen Hay, a self-publishing writer of children's stories, with an awesome imagination! The project was great fun! https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 Occupational H&S poster
    One of a series of illustrations produced for Lanes Group Rail Division. The detailed illustration shows correct PPE, site set up and procedures. The illustrations played an essential part in a very successful campaign, with Lanes Group achieving the 'Health & Safety Initiative of the Year Award' issued by Construction News. https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 'Trained and Authorised' illustration
    One of a series of illustrations produced for Cadent Gas Ltd for their 'Minimum Standards' safety campaign.…
    uniE621 Rabbit Family
    A three-generation family of rabbit characters designed for a children's storybook. The family pose with a local wizard who is always on hand in times of trouble, though he is quite prone to getting his spells wrong. However, he has his loyal blackbird friend Throstle to keep him right. illustrator https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE608 Jack's Lucky Escape - animated video
    Produced for Morrison Utility Services as part of their safety awareness campaign in schools with the aim of educating pupils on the dangers of trespassing onto work sites. The video and accompanying illustrated activity pack won three national awards for MUS, including National Joint Utility Groups Communication Award - and the Sir George Earle Trophy. https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 Children's Book Cover Illustration
    Commissioned by self-published author Patricia Clarkson. The story of four friends and their cowardly pet dragon who are assigned by the local wise woman to defend the village against a swarm of mosquitoes. Armed with herbal repellant, they prepare to go into battle in their super-fast levitating pods. https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 Water Tribe
    Illustration produced for a music CD cover. This started life as a pencil sketch and progressed as digital art using pen tablet and Photoshop.…