Josh Hurley
Hello, I’m Josh Hurley, a young illustrator / screen printer currently based just outside of London. I recently graduated from Falmouth University in Illustration. Basically I draw and print things.
When did you decide you wanted to be illustrator?
I’ve always been creative but it was probably during my foundation course. My friend Jen Springall was studying illustration in Southampton at the time (she’s really cool, go find her), I had a look at her work and the kind of briefs she was set. I then realised this is the kind of thing I want to be doing as well.
Would you recommend studying at art school?
Absolutely, being in Falmouth was the best. Being surrounded by awesome people, in an awesome place was so inspiring. Also, for me, uni was a good way to openly explore different creative mediums without any pressure. I went into uni as a guy that drew with a pen, but I came out as a print maker. So yeah its good. However I wouldn’t say its vital, there are lots of people that dropped out of school that are doing really well, so I guess it depends what suits you. I think if you work super hard, perfect your craft and enjoy what you do it should hopefully work out, right?
How long was it before illustration became your primary form of income?
Yeah, I’m not there yet.
Could you describe your typical day?
Wake up around nine, eat sugary cereal and watch an episode of Fraser with my cat. Then I have to get a five minute train to this little studio space I have. I’ve started skating from the train station to the studio because it makes me feel super cool, however I probably look really silly because my balance is really bad, so I just wobble down the street. When I get in write lists of projects and things to get done in the day, then start scribbling things. 80% of the time it doesn’t lead to anything which is depressing, but I work through and often something good comes out of it. (If I’m spending the day printing then I stay at home, only due to the lack of water access in the studio. So after Fraser I expose my screen, I’m super DIY so I use the sun as I don’t have an exposure unit yet. I then spend the rest of the day mixing inks and printing. Its really therapeutic.) All through the day I drown myself with tea and cake. All of this goes on till about five. I wobble back home on my skateboard. Watch Breaking Bad with my cat, eat dinner with my cat, share ice cream with my cat. Just generally hang out with my cat. Then sleep repeat.
What do you wish you’d know when you first started out?
Probably how important promoting yourself is. The industry more or less has no idea who you are when you come out of uni, so you’ve got to be super active in making sure they come across your work. This is still something I need to work on mind. Also the importance of contacts. Meeting people is super scary to me, I’m terrified of new people, but again its got to be done.
What’s the best thing about being an illustrator?
Being creative and getting paid to do it.
What’s the worst thing about being an illustrator?
Decaying social skills. Constant Doubt. Uncertainty.
If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be?
Either a postman or a baker.
Any other tips you could share?
Promote yourself, meet people, try to perfect your craft, listen to the Adventures in Design podcasts, buy things from other artists, self publish things, get your hands dirty, be DIY, eat cake, be good to people, don’t give up.
