Consultancy and commissions

The hunt for an expert communicator

The Big Painting Challenge is a BBC One art programme. Contestants are set weekly challenges set by the judges. They are guided along the way by an art expert.

The show's producers were looking for an art mentor who could explain complex artistic ideas and practices. This person would need the communication skills to strike a balance between clarity and detail. They chose Kingston School of Art lecturer, Pascal Anson.

Pascal Anson: It's all about understanding

Pascal Anson is a tutor on graphic design, product and furniture design, and art foundation courses. He helps students to see things in a different way by giving them a fuller understanding of the subject matter.

"Mastering a technique like perspective is not about being good at drawing, it's about being good at understanding. I'm always looking for alternative ways to help people understand the world that's around them," says Pascal.

A man of many talents

Pascal has gone on to create a series of YouTube videos. The videos were spotted by Penguin and this led to a book deal. His book, Ordinary Made Extraordinary, charts his explorations and inventive creations.

Contributing to The Big Painting Challenge has definitely been a positive experience for Pascal. His contribution has also benefited the show. The Big Painting Challenge is a well-received multi-series programme.

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The V&A Awards: the search for the country's best illustrators

Every year the Victoria and Albert Museum looks for the most talented illustrators in the country. The "V&A Awards" recognise the best illustrated book, book cover, editorial illustration and student illustrator of the year.

The winning entries are exhibited in the museum itself so entrants are competing for a prestigious commission.

Vivien Chan: an undergraduate with vision and energy

The Student Illustrator of the Year Award recognises up-and-coming illustrators while they are still learning their craft. Vivien Chan was in her second year of Kingston School of Art Illustration Animation BA(Hons) course when she entered the competition.

Earlier that year, Vivien had attended the London Fashion Show, where she gained access to the backstage area and the catwalk. She spent up to 13 hours a day over five days creating 70 drawings. She submitted three of these to the V&A Awards, and won the runner-up prize.

The winning ingredient: a unique and broad course syllabus

Vivien puts her success down to the education she received at Kingston School of Art. She said at the time: "I think my course is a very unique one. It's broad enough to cover so many aspects of the illustration and animation industry. Without the particular set-up of the course I would never have been able to look beyond an illustration and see what it could become."

Sustainable sculptures for the Canadian High Commission

Students from Kingston School of Art created sculptures that were installed in the Canadian High Commission in Central London. The project centred around sustainability and was inspired by Canada's Inuit and First Nation hunters. The installation coincided with the launch of London Fashion Week.

The eight second-year Fashion BA(Hons) worked alongside fashion sustainability champion Dr Noki and London-based Canadian designer Todd Lynn.

Highlighting the importance of ecological concerns in fashion

The students were keen to demonstrate the potential for sustainable design practices. They recycled items from second hand shops and materials from their own wardrobes to mirror the sustainable approach of Canada's indigenous communities.

Great for sustainability and great for the Canadian High Commission

The team at Canada House were delighted to be able to collaborate with the students. Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Janice Charette, said: "The fashion sculptures created for display in our windows tap into stories of Canada's First Nations and Inuit communities and everyday life in the Canadian north. The impressive use of up-cycling and sustainable materials demonstrate the true power of imagination."