Editorial Illustration - The Student Abroad
For this project, I was tasked with creating an illustration to accompany an article about study abroad students. I wanted to capture the dynamic and energetic experience of students living abroad — the on-the-go, collective, and sometimes chaotic yet fun atmosphere they experience.
The illustration reflects this vibrant energy through a colorful style, blending multiple elements and bold visuals to convey the excitement and hectic pace of studying abroad, from navigating new cultures to meeting new people.
Client
Magazine
Type
Editorial
Year
2024
Process
Understanding the Abroad Student
During this project, I was studying abroad in France, which was perfect timing as I was experiencing firsthand the ups and downs of living in a new culture. I took many reference photos from various locations, props, and action poses to help capture the true essence of the experience.
Capturing Energy
Finding the right environment for the student was tricky, as I wanted the student to be the focal point of the piece. I didn’t want the environment to overshadow the character, but instead, I wanted it to be suggested without explicitly depicting it. I experimented with different poses—such as a student sleeping, getting pickpocketed, or attempting to speak in a non-native language—before landing on the final pose: a student running after a train.
This pose, with the student’s frantic expression and dynamic movement, captures the chaos and excitement of studying abroad, embodying both the fear and the thrill of being late. This also allowed me to introduce props spilling out of the student’s backpack, adding more layers to the scene and further emphasizing the frantic energy of the moment.
The Props
The props I included in the illustration were all personal yet easily identifiable, drawing from items that an abroad student might collect during their travels. These props were carefully selected to hint at the countries a student may visit, each item carrying its own cultural significance.
Among the props featured, I included a beanie from Switzerland with an oversized pom-pom (which I picked up during my own travels), clogs from the Netherlands, an “I ♥ Italy” shirt, a Spanish flag, a Euro coin, school supplies, and a pair of unmentionables! These details help add personality to the student’s experience and reflect the unique blend of cultures a study abroad student encounters.
Outcome
The final illustration successfully captures the fast-paced and vibrant energy of a study abroad student’s experience. Through dynamic poses, cultural props, and a colorful style, the piece evokes the excitement, chaos, and personal growth that come with navigating new environments. It’s a visual representation of the ups and downs, the thrill and challenges, that students face while abroad.
