alanheighton's photostream

I was born in 78 in Doncaster [ Donny ] England. My dad always encouraged me to draw, sketchbooks were always around and bought for me as presents, so drawing became routine like changing my underpants. I completed a foundation year at Doncaster Churchview college and then a BA hons in Graphic Design at the university of Salford.
I graduated in 2001 with a first class honors degree.

Since then I've been working as a freelance illustrator. I guess most people found out about me with my illustrations for the Guardian Sport section, for being selected for Creative futures with Creative Review in 2005 and the best seller The Picture book by Pentagrams Angus Hyland.

My commercial output has seen me work with and feature in, The Financial Times, The Face, Made & Sold by fl@33,Boots Health & Beauty, Unchaste for Harvey Nichols, The TUC, Computer Arts, Computer Arts projects, Graniph, Arkitip, Postcards by Fl@33, Dazed and Confused, 4 Talent magazine by Channel 4, Plastic Rhino magazine, The Arctic Monkeys favourite worst nightmare album cover, Super Superficial and more.

Alongside making images, I have from 2005 to 2009 put to use my knowledge gained by teaching third year students on the BA hons Graphic Design course at the University of Salford on a Visual Practice module and Illustration modules. As well as delivering Guest speaker talks and workshops at other colleges in the uk. I think over the years, I've answered student questions from all over the world.

Plans for the future to keep on developing, juggling personal projects, do more tutoring,juggle editorial, fashion, publishing and music industry clients. Plus keep enjoying cycling, drinking cups of tea, films, galleries and reading books.