Meanwhile #225

Back once again.

Okay so I know I said “that is all for this year” last week – and I meant it, I really did – but I’ve got some end of year list stuff that will seem like ancient history if I post it in a week’s time. Don’t blame me, that’s just how the time-internet continuum works.

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Okay, first up, I’ve found myself on the New York Times’ 73 Best Illustrations of 2024 list, for my front page of Sunday Opinion back in April. I’ve done a few NYT things recently, but this one was a real joy, working alongside art director Akshita Chandra.

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Second, a big thank you to The Casual Optimist (aka Dan Wagstaff) for including my cover for Antonia Hylton’s Madness in Notable Book Covers of 2024. I always look forward to this list – Dan has an amazing eye for what’s going on in the field – so it means a lot to find myself on there.

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(Look I know there’s a pattern forming, but just to clarify: I don’t only do American-politics-in-black-and-white. Other rectangles are available.)

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Finally, my annual selection of the year’s best film posters is now up on Creative Review. It’s the usual mix of obvious frontrunners, bizarre omissions of your personal favourites and at least one film that you have never even heard of. This is my seventh year of doing this (find previous lists here), and I should probably see if there are any particular patterns forming. One that I’m certain of, and always a good starting point for a shortlist: what was Willem Dafoe in this year? The man is a magnet for great poster art.

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That really is all, I swear.