About

I’m an illustrator and graphic designer based in Wexford, Ireland, I work mainly (though not exclusively) on biodiversity, ecology, wildlife and heritage projects that engage general and younger audiences. Spending time in nature makes me happy, and if I can ignite in others a curiosity about wild species and spaces, that makes me even happier!

Throughout the two and half decades I’ve spent working in the design industry I’ve illustrated for clients such as Penguin UK, Gill Books, Currach Books, The Marine Institute, Dublinia, Trocaire, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Fair Seas and the Rivers Trust.

I have an MA from the National College of Art & Design (2005), a Silver award from the Art Director’s Club, Switzerland (1998), 2 runner-up images in Creative Quarterly 35 (summer 2014) and a well-earned gold star for “best picture” from Miss O’Brien’s class (1975).

I’m a long-time member of Illustrators Ireland and The Association of Illustrators (AOI)

If you have a project you’d like to discuss, get in touch and let’s chat. Connect on Instagram @mizzwinkens or email me at:

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Services

Illustration

Working under the guise of Mizz Winkens, I lean towards a strong graphic style and bold colours. Most of my work is illustrated digitally but at times I work traditionally, be it a mural or hand printing. Whatever the commission, every piece starts as a pencil sketch. Sometimes I incorporate hand-rendered elements into a digitally illustrated piece. Past projects I have worked on include maps, trails, posters, book covers, greeting cards, branding elements and interpretive signage.

Graphic Design

As an experienced graphic designer, with a background in designing for print, I can decipher a brief and see the project through to the finished product within a given deadline. If your project needs design work such as layout, poster, book or brochure design, logo design, infographics, signage and social media assets then I can help.

Content

Alongside creating visuals I also offer help with writing, researching and compiling text for general audiences on themes around biodiversity. With an interest in all things flora and fauna – especially the natives – I keep myself informed by learning about our local wildlife. Recently completed courses include a Cert. in Identifying Irish Wild Flowers and a practical course in River Ecology.

In the past, I wrote a “green” blog which won two national awards while several years ago I wrote and designed a social history, non-fiction book called “Sweet Memories, The Story of Urney Chocolates“, published in association with Tallaght Library, Dublin.

FAQ

When you find an illustrator whose work you feel will suit your project, approach them with your proposed commission for a chat about their availability and to request a quote. Your proposal may be a very specific image or you might want to give the illustrator more autonomy to interpret your brief.

Identify the work sample that compelled you to get in touch, so that the illustrator has an idea of what you need.

Share details such as:
  • size / shape of illustration
  • full colour or mono
  • should space be left for typography?
  • accompanying text – who is providing this? How does it relate to the image?
  • additional uses – be sure to specify all the instances in which you intend to use the illustration.
  • are there any technical / mechanical constraints?
  • deadline for receipt of the artwork
  • is there a specific budget already in place for the project?
Do you need accompanying design work or content creation?

If you are looking for design work such as layout, be clear about who is providing the related text, and when.

Not typically. It would cost a lot to buy out full copyright. An illustrator’s fee is calculated on the time spent to execute the illustration but also on the usage of the image in all its different applications. It is standard practice for the creator/illustrator to retain copyright on the work and so the commissioner will pay for the right to use it.

Usage is the extent of the illustration’s exposure, itemised in a licence fee. The licence gives the commissioner permission to use the illustration for a certain amount of time in a certain territory for all the instances called out in the agreement. If at a later date, the client wants to use the illustration in more instances, then a new licence agreement can be negotiated. It’s not as complicated as it sounds!

If all the project specifics, budget and illustration usages have been ironed out, then a Commissioners Agreement containing all those details, costs and time schedules, is signed and/or acknowledged by both parties and work can begin!

This is a question I get asked often and the answer is generally no. I admire anyone who has made the effort to write their own book. It takes time and dedication but that is the easy part if you intend to self-publish. Unless you have an unlimited budget, and boundless time on your hands I would always advise approaching a publisher first.

No. Please do not ask me to produce work on the off-chance I might get the job. I am happy to email samples of existing work I have done that relates to your brief. It will give you an idea of how your finished project can look.

No. Always choose to work with an illustrator based on their unique style of creating. It’s not ethical or even remotely sensible to ask an illustrator to copy someone else’s style if it is clearly different to their own.

Sometimes notification emails are filtered into spam folder, so you may be able to find your confirmation email there if it is not in your inbox. If you have a Gmail address, email confirmation may end up in “Promotions” folder.

If your confirmation email is still nowhere to be found please reach out to me at karenwinkens(at)gmail(dot)com