Universities, colleges and research
Maps, identities and explanatory drawings for academic institutions
Colleges and research teams often need to explain themselves to a wide range of audiences: prospective students, visitors, alumni, schools and the public. As a freelance illustrator, I make maps, illustrated identities and explanatory drawings for those audiences. I work with communications, outreach and development teams and with researchers who need to explain their work.
I start by finding out who you need to reach and what they should come away understanding, then work with the people who know the subject, so the drawings are checked before they are finished.
Work for universities and research
Universities use illustration in all sorts of ways: to help people find their way around, bring research to wider audiences, engage with schools and communities and communicate what makes an institution distinctive. Here are some projects I’ve worked on with colleges, schools, universities and research teams.
Schools and educational resources
Educational map of the Welsh coast
Iron Age activities for schools
Learning resources for schools, such as a map of the Welsh coastline in Welsh, Irish and English for Aberystwyth University, part of a larger set with buildings, characters and a diagram.
Visitor and campus maps
Campus map, Wolfson College, Oxford
Campus map, Lincoln College, Oxford
Self-guided walk map, Merton College, Oxford
Website map, St Edward’s School, Oxford
For Wolfson College, the map shows the college as a community set in its landscape. For Lincoln College, the campus map helps visitors find their way and is a welcome gift for new students. For St Edward’s School, a map on its website places the school among Oxford’s landmarks. More on the map illustration page.
Fundraising
Field of Dreams fundraising map, St Edward’s School
A large illustrated map for St Edward’s School in Oxford, showing the proposed development in the context of the existing school. It gave supporters a clearer picture of what was planned and what their contributions would help make possible.
Research and public engagement
Oxford Health Histories website
Illustrations for Oxford Health Histories, a University of Oxford website that gives historical context about health in Oxford in an accessible way.
Student outreach
Brand illustrations for Lincoln College
Stickers for Lincoln College
An illustrated logo for Lincoln College’s Pathfinders programme, which wants students with academic ambitions to feel confident about applying, along with stickers to give to students and visitors.
Alumni and development
Sustainability series, Oriel College magazine
A series for Oriel College’s alumni magazine, with illustrations for articles on sustainability and equality.
Services
Non-fiction and interpretation
- Research projects
- Websites
- Learning resources
My process
Every project is a little different, but most follow these five stages. The details come in the proposal. More about how I work
Research
Getting to know the subject, the place and who it’s for.
Concept drawings
First sketches to agree the idea and the layout.
Developed sketch (optional)
A more detailed drawing to check the layout and important details before the final artwork.
Final illustrations
The finished artwork in colour, with a last round of adjustments.
Delivery
Files prepared for print and digital use.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs to be involved?
Usually a communications or outreach lead, someone who knows the subject and sometimes a committee that signs the work off. Their approval dates go into the timeline from the start.
Can we use the drawings in our own marketing?
Yes, provided this is covered by the agreed licence. Parts of a map or identity can also be supplied as separate files for use in different materials. At Lincoln College, illustrations from the campus map were requested for exactly that.
How long does a project take?
Small commissions take around two weeks, larger sets several weeks. I’ll give you a timeline once we’ve talked.
How do I get started?
Use the form on this page to tell me about the project and we will take it from there.
Need illustrations to explain a place or a piece of research?
Get in touch below and we will take it from there.
What people say
“Kati has been an utter delight to work with and her illustrations have already become a treasured part of our College community. Now, with the map, we have a lovely (and very useful!) souvenir to give our visitors!”
Maryanne Saunders
Lincoln College, University of Oxford
“Kati has delivered a wide range of projects for us, from woodcut style illustrations of our grounds and buildings, to complex illustrated maps that showcase our future capital projects and location in the city of Oxford. Her work is always produced with great care, creativity, and a sense of fun.”
Greg Jones
St Edward’s School
“I worked with Kati on developing heritage and landscape illustrations for education resources. Kati took the time to understand the brief; she was thorough and easy to work with, and I’m really pleased with the end result.”
Harriet Robson
Aberystwyth University
Have a project in mind?
A map, interpretation panels, a publication or something you’re not sure how to describe yet: tell me a little about it and I’ll reply with my suggestions or proposal.
Not ready yet? See how I work or browse the portfolio.
