Season 2 / Episode 2: ICON12 - Illustration Conference

I flew into Minneapolis, MN, to attend this years, ICON12 Illustration conference. This conference started in 1999 to advocate for illustrators' rights as the rise of stock photography, stock illustration, and digital tools began to impact illustrators' livelihoods. Today, the conference further educates illustrators on different aspects of the industry, both tried-and-true and new and emerging, and acts as a kind of state-of-the-union of where the illustration industry is. 

 

I asked different illustrators and designers before and during the conference if I could interview them on what they felt about the conference and where they were currently in their practice. I interviewed the following people:

• Narciso Espiritu | @narcisoespiritu
• “Richie” Nyiaj Nom Muaj | @ngianhormua
• Benjamin Currie | @hellobencurrie
• Michael Byers | @michaelbyers
• Jenn Liv | @jennliv
• Emily Joynton | @automaticbizooty
• Cindy Lozito | @acleartrace
• Danni Sinisi | @dannisinisi
• Chris Meier | @a__shirt
• Allegra Lockstadt | @alockstadt
• Cori Nakamura Lin | @cori.lin.art

 

Quote at the end of the episode is by Michael Hoeweler (https://www.instagram.com/p/C9r6myjR3Sd/)

 

Many thanks to the board members, student volunteers, speakers, and host city for putting together another lovely conference. I am looking forward to ICON13 in 2026. 

 

A production note: All interviews were recorded on my iPhone with little microphones so the quality of sound is all over the place. I did my best to not have the volume be loud in one interview and too quiet in another. 

 

Do you have a question, comment, or a guest recommendation for the show? Please, email me at:  [e-mail]

 

Interested in being a sponsor on the show? Email me at: [e-mail]

 

Music by Title Holder, Young Lords, and Jahnatan (Licensed through https://artlist.io/ )