Sam is a multidisciplinary designer and illustrator based in Plymouth, working across illustration, graphic design, and programme leadership. He serves as Senior Lecturer and Joint Course Leader of BA (Hons) Illustration at Arts University Plymouth, while maintaining an active freelance creative practice with clients worldwide.

Sam Rowe

Sam is a multidisciplinary designer and illustrator based in Plymouth, working across illustration, graphic design, and programme leadership. He serves as Senior Lecturer and Joint Course Leader of BA (Hons) Illustration at Arts University Plymouth, while maintaining an active freelance creative practice with clients worldwide.

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Sam is a multidisciplinary designer and illustrator based in Plymouth, working across illustration, graphic design, and programme leadership. He serves as Senior Lecturer and Joint Course Leader of BA (Hons) Illustration at Arts University Plymouth, while maintaining an active freelance creative practice with clients worldwide.

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Work Experience

External Examiner BA (Hons) Illustration at Southampton Solent
November 1, 2022 - Present
External examination duties for the BA (Hons) Illustration programme, including supporting quality assurance and reviewing assessment standards and student outcomes against external benchmarks.
Senior Lecturer & Course Leader, BA (Hons) Illustration at Arts University Plymouth
August 1, 2019 - Present
Responsible for programme operation and management including development of new curricula, maintaining quality standards, student recruitment, unit delivery, assessments, budgets, and reporting. Provides input and feedback on programme documentation, assessment feedback, and external benchmarks. Delivers teaching materials across levels four, five, and six, runs frequent tutorials and technical workshops, assists with marking, and delivers bespoke long-form sessions. Alongside teaching, maintains ongoing commercial creative practice with varied global clients across big and small projects, including Airbnb, The New York Times, Wired, and the Financial Times.
Lecturer, BA (Hons) Illustration at Arts University Plymouth
September 1, 2017 - August 31, 2019
Delivered teaching for BA (Hons) Illustration, including tutorials, technical workshops, marking support, and contributing to unit delivery and student learning at course level.
Designer at Green Hat Studio
November 1, 2015 - July 31, 2017
Design work for local clients with an ethical focus, primarily involving branding and signage, contributing to identity and communication outputs for organisations.
Visiting Lecturer, BA (Hons) Illustration at Plymouth University
February 1, 2015 - September 1, 2017
Delivered visiting lectures and specialist teaching sessions for BA (Hons) Illustration, including tutorial and workshop contributions and support for assessment-related activities.
Designer, Illustrator, Art Director at Freelance (Global)
March 1, 2014 - Present
Freelance multidisciplinary design and illustration practice working with a range of clients worldwide. Delivers illustration and design work for both large and small projects, including art direction, editorial and brand-focused outputs. Selected client list includes Airbnb, The New York Times, Wired, and the Financial Times.

Education

MA Illustration at Arts University Plymouth
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022
BA Illustration at University of Plymouth
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014

Qualifications

Winner of the Earl Richards Narrative Prize
January 1, 2014 - July 21, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Consumer Goods