The faculty demonstrates the diverse impact of design in shaping our world.
Explore the profiles of current and past RDIs to understand their work.
Lauren Child is an illustrator, writer, designer and artist and is known for her cut paper collage and innovative use of text as an integral part of her illustration. “Perhaps because I was not good at making decisions, I began to cut up my drawings - it meant I could move the pieces around and change my mind. The accidental becomes part of my process. I like to use text as illustration, not only because this helps the child understand the meaning of the words but also because typefaces are beautiful in their own right.”
Lauren is best known for her Charlie and Lola picture books, which became an animated TV series in 2004. She worked on the show as an Associate Producer, developing stories, designs, brand and merchandise. The show won four BAFTAs and has now aired in more than thirty countries.
Mike meets with the celebrated children's author and illustrator Lauren Child RDI, who burst onto the publishing scene in 1999 with Clarice Bean - That's Me, followed in 2000 by Charlie & Lola - I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato. They quickly became firm favourites to millions of children worldwide. Over the years, Lauren garnered many awards and honours, including the Kate Greenaway Medal, an MBE, CBE and Royal Designer for Industry. She was also the 2017 Children's Laureate. But Lauren’s creative path to success was long, winding, and, at times, bumpy, as you will hear in this revealing interview about Lauren's life and work.
79 mins
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Clarice Bean
Charlie and Lola
Ruby Redfort