I am a passionate illustrator with 20 years of industry experience, consistently updating my knowledge of styles, history, trends and technical developments within the field. I am always ready to learn and adapt, switching between concept art, design, and cartooning with ease to meet new challenges. I am seeking a role that will allow me to apply this knowledge and further develop my abilities, delivering valuable experience at a professional level. I have extensive commissioned experience with high-end clients including Coca-Cola, Cadbury, Fox’s, Soft & Gentle, Green Giant and RBS, among others. My strengths span many areas of illustration—from comic art and figurative work to caricatures, packaging concepts, presentation graphics, and image manipulation—and I excel at collaborating within teams to deliver creative solutions across traditional and digital media.…

Martin Jessup

I am a passionate illustrator with 20 years of industry experience, consistently updating my knowledge of styles, history, trends and technical developments within the field. I am always ready to learn and adapt, switching between concept art, design, and cartooning with ease to meet new challenges. I am seeking a role that will allow me to apply this knowledge and further develop my abilities, delivering valuable experience at a professional level. I have extensive commissioned experience with high-end clients including Coca-Cola, Cadbury, Fox’s, Soft & Gentle, Green Giant and RBS, among others. My strengths span many areas of illustration—from comic art and figurative work to caricatures, packaging concepts, presentation graphics, and image manipulation—and I excel at collaborating within teams to deliver creative solutions across traditional and digital media.…

Available to hire

I am a passionate illustrator with 20 years of industry experience, consistently updating my knowledge of styles, history, trends and technical developments within the field. I am always ready to learn and adapt, switching between concept art, design, and cartooning with ease to meet new challenges.

I am seeking a role that will allow me to apply this knowledge and further develop my abilities, delivering valuable experience at a professional level. I have extensive commissioned experience with high-end clients including Coca-Cola, Cadbury, Fox’s, Soft & Gentle, Green Giant and RBS, among others. My strengths span many areas of illustration—from comic art and figurative work to caricatures, packaging concepts, presentation graphics, and image manipulation—and I excel at collaborating within teams to deliver creative solutions across traditional and digital media.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance at Self-employed, London
January 1, 2015 - June 5, 2024
Providing freelance illustration services including commissioned artwork, presentation graphics, and other creative visuals for various clients.
Senior Creative at Elephants Can’t Jump, London
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2015
Worked as a senior creative in a brand marketing agency focused on FMCG, financial services, retail, pharmaceuticals, and the public sector. Delivered cartoons for Homepride Freddy, OXO concept visuals, Jacobs packaging concepts, product illustrations for Cobra Beer, Cadbury Dairy Milk visuals, and presentation graphics for Coke.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2003
Created storyboards for Pampers for Saatchi & Saatchi, cartoons for animation for Birmingham Science Museum website, and painted acrylic visuals for the RAF site via Time Out and Attic Media providing flash graphics.
Designer at One Together Ltd, London
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2002
Designed greeting cards, door plaques, and keyrings, including Simpsons door plaques working closely with Matt Groening and created cartoon characters for WHSmiths card ranges.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1999
Produced storyboards and cartoon strips for BBC CBeebies, Mensa illustrations, and cartoon strips for Telewest.
Studio Junior at The Design Bridge UK Ltd, London
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1992
Supported studio work with clients such as Unilever, Lipton, Gordon’s Gin, and Knorr.
Freelance at Self-employed
January 1, 2015 - June 1, 2024
Providing illustration services across various sectors including retail, pharmaceuticals and public sector clients. Developing commissioned artwork and working with high-end clients to deliver creative concepts.
Senior Creative at Elephants Can’t Jump
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2015
Worked at a brand marketing agency covering FMCG, financial services, retail, pharmaceuticals and public sector. Created cartoons, presentation graphics, packaging concepts, and product illustrations for clients such as Premier, OXO, Jacobs, Cobra beer, Cadbury, and Coke.
Illustrator at Freelance
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2003
Storyboard work for Pampers at Saatchi & Saatchi, cartoons for Birmingham Science Museum website, painted acrylics for RAF site and illustrations for Time Out magazine. Provided flash graphics for Attic Media.
Designer at One Together Ltd
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2002
Designed greetings cards, door plaques, and keyrings. Worked closely with Matt Groening to design Simpsons door plaques. Developed cartoon characters for WHSmiths card ranges.
Illustrator at Freelance
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1999
Provided storyboards, illustrations, and cartoon strips for clients including BBC (CBeebies), Mensa, and Telewest.
Studio Junior at The Design Bridge UK Ltd
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1992
Supported studio work for clients such as Unilever, Lipton, Gordon’s Gin, and Knorr. Assisted in various graphic design and production tasks.
Freelance at Freelance, London
January 1, 2015 - June 6, 2024
Created a wide range of illustration projects for various clients, utilizing skills in comic art, figurative art, cartoons, caricatures, adcepts, food concepts, packaging, presentation graphics, idea generation, and image manipulation. Continues to adapt and learn new software and styles in a freelance capacity.
Senior Creative at Elephants Can’t Jump, London
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2015
Worked as a senior creative in a brand marketing agency handling FMCG, financial services, retail, pharmaceuticals, and public sector clients. Managed projects for Premier with 'Homepride Freddy' cartoons, OXO concept visuals, Jacobs packaging concepts, Cobra beer product illustrations, Cadbury dairy milk visuals, and Coke presentation graphics.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2003
Provided illustration services including storyboards for Pampers with Saatchi & Saatchi, cartoons for Birmingham Science Museum website, acrylic paintings for RAF site, and flash graphics for Attic Media.
Designer at One Together Ltd, London
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2002
Designed greetings cards, door plaques, and keyrings. Collaborated closely with Matt Groening on Simpsons door plaques for 20th Century Fox and created cartoon characters for card ranges for WHSmiths.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1999
Illustrated storyboards for CBeebies idents for BBC, created 30 illustrations for Mensa, and developed cartoon strips for Telewest.
Studio Junior at The Design Bridge UK Ltd, London
January 1, 1989 - December 31, 1992
Supported studio work for major clients including Unilever, Lipton, Gordon’s Gin, and Knorr in a junior capacity.
Senior Creative at Elephants Can’t Jump, London
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2015
Led brand marketing agency creative efforts for FMCG, financial services, retail, pharmaceuticals, and public sector clients. Projects included cartoons, concept visuals, packaging concepts, product illustrations, and presentation graphics for clients such as Premier, OXO, Jacobs, Cobra beer, Cadbury, and Coke.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2003
Created storyboards and cartoons for advertising and museum websites, painted acrylic artworks for sites including RAF, and provided flash graphics for media projects. Clients included Saatchi & Saatchi, Nykrys, and Time Out.
Designer at One Together Ltd, London
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2002
Designed greetings cards, door plaques, and keyrings for clients including 20th Century Fox and WHSmiths, working closely with notable figures such as Matt Groening. Developed cartoon characters and product-themed designs.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1999
Produced storyboards for CBeebies, illustrations for Mensa, and cartoon strips for Telewest clients over various commissions.
Studio Junior at The Design Bridge UK Ltd, London
January 1, 1989 - December 31, 1992
Provided studio support and contributed to campaigns for clients like Unilever, Lipton, Gordon's Gin, and Knorr during early career development.
Freelance Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 2015 - June 12, 2024
Ongoing freelance creative projects involving illustration, design concepts, and client commissioned artwork in various styles and media.
Senior Creative at Elephants Can’t Jump, London
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2015
Senior Creative in a brand marketing agency handling FMCG, financial services, retail, pharmaceuticals, and public sector clients. Delivered creative cartoons, concept visuals, packaging concepts, product illustrations, and presentation graphics for clients such as Premier, OXO, Jacobs, Cobra Beer, Cadbury, and Coke.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2003
Provided illustration services including storyboards, cartoons, and painted acrylic works for clients such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Nykris, the Birmingham Science Museum, and RAF site. Developed flash graphics for Attic Media.
Designer at One Together Ltd, London
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2002
Designed greetings cards, door plaques, and keyrings. Worked with clients including 20th Century Fox on Simpsons door plaques and WHSmiths on cartoon characters for card ranges.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1999
Produced storyboards, cartoon strips, and illustrative artwork for clients such as BBC, Mensa, and Telewest.
Studio Junior at The Design Bridge UK Ltd, London
January 1, 1989 - December 31, 1992
Studio Junior role supporting design projects for clients such as Unilever, Lipton, Gordon’s Gin, and Knorr.
Freelance at Self-employed, London
January 1, 2015 - June 23, 2024
Providing freelance illustration services across various projects.
Senior Creative at Elephants Can’t Jump, London
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2015
Worked as a senior creative at a brand marketing agency dealing with FMCG, financial services, retail, pharmaceuticals, and the public sector. Key clients included Premier (Homepride freddy cartoons), OXO, Jacobs, Cobra beer, Cadbury dairy milk, and Coke presenting various visuals and product illustrations.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2003
Produced storyboards for Pampers with Saatchi & Saatchi, cartoon animations for Nykris for Birmingham Science Museum website, painted acrylic for the RAF site, and provided flash graphics for Attic Media.
Designer at One Together Ltd, London
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2002
Designed greetings cards, door plaques, and keyrings. Worked with 20th Century Fox to design Simpsons door plaques collaborating with Matt Groening. Created cartoon characters for WHSmiths card ranges.
Illustrator at Freelance, London
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1999
Illustrated storyboards for CBeebies for BBC, produced 30 illustrations for Mensa, and created cartoon strips for Telewest.
Studio Junior at The Design Bridge UK Ltd, London
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1992
Studio junior role working with clients such as Unilever, Lipton, Gordon’s Gin, and Knorr.
Freelance Illustrator/Designer at Self-employed (Freelance)
January 1, 2015 - Present
Freelance illustration and design for high-end clients; engaged in cartoons, caricatures, concepts, packaging concepts, presentation graphics and image manipulation.
Senior Creative at Elephants Can’t Jump
January 1, 2015 - September 25, 2025
Senior creative for retail, pharmaceutical and public sector projects; produced visuals for Premier (Homepride Freddy) cartoons, OXO concept visuals, packaging concepts, Cadbury dairy visuals and Coke presentation graphics.
Illustrator at Freelance (London)
January 1, 2003 - September 25, 2025
Freelance illustration work; Saatchi & Saatchi storyboard for Pampers; Nykris cartooning for Birmingham Science Museum website; Time Out painting for RAF site.
Designer at One Together Ltd
January 1, 2002 - September 25, 2025
Design for greetings cards, door plaques, keyrings; clients included 20th Century Fox ( Simpsons door plaques ), WHSmiths cartoon characters for card ranges.
Illustrator at Freelance
January 1, 1999 - September 25, 2025
Self-employed illustrator; BBC identities for CBeebies; Mensa illustrations; Telewest cartoon strip.
Studio Junior at The Design Bridge UK Ltd
January 1, 1992 - September 25, 2025
Studio junior assisting on projects for clients including Unilever, Lipton, Gordon's Gin and Knorr.
Freelance Illustrator at Freelance (London)
January 1, 2015 - Present
Freelance illustrator working with high-profile clients, delivering concept art, caricatures, and presentation graphics across traditional and digital media.
Senior Creative at Elephants Can't Jump
January 1, 2015 - September 25, 2025
Led creative for retail, pharmaceuticals and the public sector; produced concept visuals, packaging concepts and presentation graphics for brands including Premier/Homepride, Coca-Cola, Cadbury, Cobra Beer and more.
Illustrator at Freelance (London)
January 1, 2003 - September 25, 2025
Storyboards and cartoons for advertising and museum projects; clients included Saatchi & Saatchi (Pampers), Nykris (cartoon for Birmingham Science Museum site); Time Out – acrylic artwork for RAF site.
Designer at One Together Ltd
January 1, 2002 - September 25, 2025
Greeting cards, door plaques, keyrings; created Simpsons door plaques for 20th Century Fox; cartoon characters for WHSmiths card ranges.
Illustrator at Freelance
January 1, 1999 - September 25, 2025
BBC storyboard identities for CBeebies; Mensa – 30 illustrations; Telewest – cartoon strips.
Studio Junior at The Design Bridge UK Ltd
January 1, 1992 - September 25, 2025
Supported campaigns for Unilever, Lipton, Gordons Gin, Knorr; assisted senior designers in concepting and execution.

Education

BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting at Surrey Institute of Art and Design
January 1, 1992 - July 1, 1995
BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting at Surrey Institute of Art and Design
January 1, 1992 - July 1, 1995
Foundation Course at London Institute Camberwell College of Art
January 1, 1991 - July 1, 1992
Certificate of Illustration at London Institute St Martins College of Art
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1990
BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting at Surrey Institute of Art and Design
January 1, 1992 - July 31, 1995
Foundation Course at London Institute Camberwell College of Art
January 1, 1991 - July 31, 1992
BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting at Surrey Institute of Art and Design
January 1, 1992 - July 31, 1995
Foundation Course at London Institute Camberwell College of Art
January 1, 1991 - July 31, 1992
Certificate of Illustration at London Institute St Martins College of Art
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1990
BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting at Surrey Institute of Art and Design
January 1, 1992 - July 1, 1995
Foundation Course at London Institute Camberwell College of Art
January 1, 1991 - July 1, 1992
BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting at Surrey Institute of Art and Design
January 1, 1992 - July 31, 1995
Foundation Course at London Institute Camberwell College of Art
January 1, 1991 - July 31, 1992
Certificate of Illustration at London Institute St Martins College of Art
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1990
BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting at Surrey Institute of Art and Design
July 1, 1992 - July 1, 1995
Foundation Course at London Institute Camberwell College of Art
July 1, 1991 - July 1, 1992
Certificate of Illustration at London Institute St Martins College of Art
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1990
BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting at Surrey Institute of Art and Design
July 1, 1992 - July 1, 1995
Foundation Course at London Institute Camberwell College of Art
July 1, 1991 - July 1, 1992
Certificate of Illustration at London Institute St Martins College of Art
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1990

Qualifications

Certificate of Illustration
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1990
Foundation Course
July 1, 1991 - July 1, 1992
BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting
July 1, 1992 - July 1, 1995
Certificate of Illustration
January 1, 1990 - September 25, 2025

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Retail, Financial Services, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    paper Martin Jessup Portfolio
    https://www.twine.net/signin graphicdesigner illustration artist cartoon caricature drawing illustrator photoshop…