Bridgend illustrator brings childhood dreams to life through freelance success

22 November 2024

Ocean Hughes, a freelance illustrator and 2019 graduate of ��ϳԹ�� (��ϳԹ��) has turned a childhood passion for art into a thriving career. Her latest creations for the books, Archie, My Dinosaur Friend and It’s a Big World Bartholomew published by Jellycat, showcase her talent for bringing stories to life and sparking children’s imaginations.

Woman leaning against a wall with arms crossed, smiling at camera

From her hometown of Bridgend, Ocean combines creativity with her knack for business to deliver projects ranging from children’s books to custom ceramics.

After studying BA Illustration at ��ϳԹ��’s Swansea College of Art, Ocean felt prepared to step into freelance work and credits her education with shaping her journey. She said: “My studies were absolutely invaluable in preparing me for freelance work. It gave me the confidence to believe that my childhood dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator could become a reality.”

Modules in Narrative Illustration and Marketing provided both technical skills and practical knowledge, enabling Ocean to navigate the creative and business sides of freelancing.

Small brush paint and paint tubes next to painted drawing

Ocean said:

“One of the most impactful modules for me was Narrative Illustration, where I wrote and illustrated my own children’s book. My tutors guided me through every step, from research to creating a dummy book, which solidified my passion for the craft and confirmed my career direction. The Marketing module was equally valuable, teaching me client outreach and self-promotion, skills as crucial as creativity in freelancing and ones I still rely on today.”

Beyond this, Ocean says that her studies also helped her develop a professional mindset: “I learned the importance of deadlines, managing my time effectively, and how to work both independently and collaboratively. These are essential skills for freelancing, where I often have to balance multiple projects at once and manage my own schedule.”

In addition to her studies, during her second year, Ocean had the opportunity to complete an internship with , an in-house publishing department for ��ϳԹ�� specialising in bilingual educational books and resources in Wales. This internship proved pivotal, leading to her first major freelance project illustrating Nature’s Nasties written by Lady Carol Barrett.

A table with a number of children's books spread out over it

Ocean said:

“Having this book in my portfolio helped me gain attention from clients and really kicked off my freelance career. It was an invaluable experience as it gave me real-world experience. I didn’t just learn about freelancing in theory, I got to see it in action - working with a team, dealing with client feedback, and seeing how the industry operates on a daily basis. It helped me transition from student to professional in a much smoother way.”

Ocean’s work reflects her love of variety and independence. “Freelance work is never the same thing twice. I love the freedom to take on new challenges, whether it’s illustrating a book, designing stationery, or exploring ceramics.” The flexibility of setting her own hours also allows her to balance family life, including reading her own illustrated stories to her son.

Creating illustrations for children’s books, like Jellycat’s Archie, My Dinosaur Friend and It’s a Big World Bartholomew, has been an especially rewarding pursuit for Ocean: “It’s a childhood dream come true. As a little girl, I used to spend hours copying pictures from my favourite books, imagining what it would be like to have my own one day.”

Seeing her artwork bring joy to children and become part of cherished family moments is a source of immense pride and inspiration as she continues to take on new creative challenges. A successful illustrator and creative entrepreneur, she demonstrates that with passion and the right preparation, it’s possible to turn dreams into reality.