Speaking with Illustrator, Alex Foster

Alex Foster is an award-winning illustrator who creates striking designs. His subject varies, however, one of his standouts is maps featuring countries and cities around the globe.

In our latest Azutura artist interview, we speak with Alex and discuss how he became an illustrator, what drew him to map work, his work with Roald Dahl and much more.

Hi Alex, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Can you start off by introducing yourself and telling us a little about your life?

No problem! I’m from, live and work in Margate, UK, by the sea. I work from my home studio here with my girlfriend Meg. We’re slowly doing up our house when we have the spare time and money to put into it.

What’s a typical day like as Alex Foster?

Each day I usually check emails and try to get that over with in the morning. Then, I’ll work on commissions and in between those, try to make something new for my print collection or, work on marketing and Mapsy bits, a map art website I founded.

What drew you to maps?

I first got a map commission for the 2012 Olympic torch route in London through Middlesex, the university I studied at. I’ve also always liked the birds-eye view style and started getting hired on more and more map projects until that organically became a speciality.

Can you tell us about your creative process from coming up with an idea through to the finished piece?

I’ll start with talking to the client and getting a clear brief together. Then, I’ll draw thumbnails in pencil and develop the best idea/s into a clearer pencil rough. Then, I’ll send this to the client, and when they’re happy to move onto colour work, I’ll finish.

In terms of your maps, is it easier to map somewhere you’ve been or do you prefer to illustrate new places?

I’d love to visit more places but most of my commissions are of places I haven’t been to before. I’d be travelling full time if I had to do it that way!

You work largely on commissions. Where do most of these come from?

Sometimes, through an agent, through word of mouth, Google search, Google ads, social media (I only really use Instagram now), mailing lists, Etsy, hire an illustrator type websites - all over the place really!

You worked with Roald Dahl, how amazing was this project?

Meeting Roald Dahl's Grandson to make a map for a special family meal was pretty great. I also did another project to decorate their new offices with a chocolate timeline and made a map of Roald's character.

I have an old book where the author photo is Roald holding a baby, and I asked Luke (his grandson) if it was him, and he said it was. I thought that was cool!

I take it you’re a fan of travel? Where are some of your favourite places you’ve visited and why?

I like to travel as much as the next person really. I think many of us would like more time and money to travel wherever we’d like! My favourite place was probably a van and camping trip with my mates around Iceland.

Anywhere on your travel bucket list?

So many more places than I’ll manage to go! I’d probably choose somewhere a bit more rural rather than big cities. Many places in the US or Canada as I’ve never been to either. Many places in Asia, Australia or New Zealand. Outside of Europe pretty much.

Where do you find inspiration?

Anywhere: life, walks, films, books, art, TV etc. A lot of the time, the brief is very specific so I can’t go wild with ideas, otherwise, it wouldn’t fit what the client was looking for.

If you weren’t an illustrator, what career would you have pursued?

I’m from a family of builders and was interested in architecture at school, but I don’t think my school work was good enough to follow that. So I don’t know really. I’ve been an illustrator since uni, but have worked part-time jobs when I was younger, mostly labour.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

Just keep making artwork. I think specifically, it’s hard to give one piece of advice but know that it’s very difficult to make a living as an illustrator, so most people who carry on with it need a part-time job to support themselves. Find a style or something you are specifically good at and will be hired for.

What’s the future looking like? Anything big on the horizon?

The thing I’m most excited about is a project I’m starting soon on illustrations for an NGO biodiversity project, which is made to show policymakers at the UN. This could lead to very important decisions being made all over the world, so it’s equally daunting and exciting to be working on something so worthwhile.