From College to Star Wars: Alumnus’ Journey to Illustration Stardom

Since leaving East Sussex College, Tim McDonagh, an Art & Design alumnus, has made waves in the illustration industry, collaborating with major brands like Star Wars, Nike, and Apple, among others.

Tim McDonagh, a talented illustrator, has taken the art world by storm, working on high-profile projects, including the Star Wars franchise. He credits his success to the strong foundation in art and design he gained at East Sussex College.

“The course provided me with a fantastic grounding in art and design, and then after recognising my interest in illustration, [my tutors] nurtured that and were paramount in preparing me for university and beyond,” said Tim.

“The tutors took a really keen interest in their students and genuinely care about where they move on to after college.”

During his university studies, Tim won the prestigious D&AD New Blood Award. This recognition opened doors to commissions and led to him being signed by the Handsome Frank Illustration Agency, where he continues to work today.

Tim’s artwork has graced numerous platforms worldwide. He’s best known for his epic Star Wars book series published by Egmont and his award-winning covers for the New York Times Kids section.

His impressive client list includes Nike, Apple, New York Times, HMV, Lucasfilm, Red Bull, Sports Illustrated, and many more. Tim’s creative journey is a testament to how a strong start at East Sussex College can lead to incredible opportunities.

If you’d like to follow in Tim’s footsteps, please click here to find out more about the Art & Design courses on offer at East Sussex College.