The Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators is proud to present Illustrators 59, featuring the most outstanding works by leading contemporary illustrators worldwide and voted on by a prestigious jury, which include renowned illustrators, art directors, and designers.

Created in 1958, the Illustrators Annual includes an exhibit of work displayed at the Society of Illustrators headquarters in NYC, and goes on to become a printed book. The show is broken up into six categories: Advertising, Book, Editorial, Institutional and Uncommissioned. Gold and silver medals were awarded by the jury to the top pieces in each category.

The exhibits are displayed in two parts, with an Opening Reception and Awards presentation for each show.

Advertising illustration includes work created to sell a product, usually commissioned by an ad agency.

Examples include consumer ads in magazines, television and web, billboards, point-of- purchase, and theater posters. Gold medals go to Platform by Jillian Tamaki (MTA Arts & Design, AD: Amy Hausmann), Felt + Fat by Armando Veve (Felt + Fat, AD: Joel Evey and Nathaniel Mell), and Don’t Be a Settler by Marc Burckhardt (DirecTV, AD: Doug Fallon). Silver medals go to Frat Star (cover) by Edward Kinsella (Frat Star Movie LLC, AD: Grant Johnson), Vans: All Weather by Julian Glander (Vans, AD: Margaux Olverd, Tumblr Creatrs), and Lukullus Pâtisserie by Ola Niepsuj (Lukullus).

Illustration in the Book category include all single image illustrations originally commissioned for use inside or on the covers of hardbound and paperback books. Gold medals go to the Pelican Shakespeare by Manuja Waldia (Penguin Random House, AD: Paul Buckley), Of Cats and Men: Past and Present by Sam Kalda (Ten Speed Press, AD: Betsy Stromberg), and So and So by Ofra Amit (Hakibutz Hameuchad Publishers). Silver medals go to Clover by Victo Ngai (Tor.com, AD: Irene Gallo), “Tales of the Peculiar” by Ransom Riggs by Andrew Davidson (Dutton Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House, AD: Deborah Kaplan), and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by Roman Muradov (Penguin, AD: Paul Buckley).

Editorial illustration includes work commissioned by newspapers or magazines. Gold medals go to War Music by Armando Veve ( the New York Times, AD: Matt Dorfman), Disability by Dadu Shin (the New York Times, AD: Nathan Huang), and Cursive Handwriting and Other Education Myths by Gizem Vural (Nautilus Magazine, AD: Francesco Izzo). Silver medals go to A Day At the Beach by Kadir Nelson ( the New Yorker, AD: Françoise Mouly), Adulting by Emiliano Ponzi, and Otherwordly by Jing Wei ( the New York Times, AD: Matt Dorfman).

Institutional illustration includes work commissioned by an institution such as government services, in-house, or a corporation, and can be featured on announcements, annual reports, calendars, corporate projects, government service projects, greeting cards, newsletters, and in-house publications. Gold medals go to Mighty Casey: the Vincible Hero of Mudville by Kadir Nelson ( the National Pastime Museum), and Adult Swim Food Chain Pyramid Repeating Pattern by Joseph Veazey (Adult Swim), and the Junction - Chilly Gonzales & Peaches | Red Bull Music Academy by Patrick Doyon (Red Bull Music Academy, AD: Je Hamada). Silver medals go to MVX by Pieter Van Eenoge, From the Window by George Wylesol (Vinyl Moon, AD: Brandon Bogajewicz), and 117 Adams by Jing Wei (Etsy, Inc., AD: Drew Freeman, Jenny Kutnow, Julia Ho man).

Uncommissioned pieces include all self-generated work. Gold medals go to Lorenzo Gritti for Portraits, Nancy Liang for Old Spaces, and Wendy Cong Zhao for Pangs. Silver medals go to Tomas Colligan for Small Notes, Tim O’Brien for Jack Johnson, and Daniel Zender for Hyakki Yagyo.

The Society also recognizes three notable creatives for their outstanding body of work and careers.

The Richard Gangel Art Director Award honors art directors currently working in the eld who have supported and advanced the art of illustration. is year’s award goes to Nicholas Blechman, current Creative Director of the New Yorker and former Art Director of the New York Times Book Review, and the New York Times Op-Ed page.

The Hamilton King Award is presented annually for the best illustration in the Annual executed by a member of the Society. One of the industry’s most prestigious awards, the selection is made by former recipients and may be won only once. is year the Society honors illustrator Gérard Dubois for his piece Constructing the Modern Mind, created for Scientific American Mind Magazine.

The Distinguished Educator in the Arts Award recognizes an illustrator who has attained the highest standards of academic achievement and has demonstrated interest in and capability of furthering the Society’s educational programs. The Society honors Robert Hunt, whose work at the California College of the Arts has inspired and influenced countless students.