MAIN
ABOUT
RESUME CV CONTACT
SELECTED WORKS
SKETCHBOOK
2025 2023/24 2021/22
EDITORIALS
MY CROWN PEOPLE MAKE THE SITES

© All rights reserved

Hi I'm Julian Thom 

I’m a Vancouver-based illustrator with a BA in Design: Illustration from the Ontario College of Art and Design and an MA in the same degree from the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. I’ve contributed my skills to notable local brands, including Aritzia and Hills Dry Goods. My design philosophy revolves around a holistic approach, drawing inspiration from nature and found media. I prioritise positive values and good vibes while ensuring my work represents the communities it impacts the most.

My work is rooted in a reportage-heavy illustration style, where my sketchbook acts as a visual catalog of iterative patterns, silhouettes, and structures. These explorations serve as the foundation for my larger format paintings and drawings. My use of found media as a surface introduces layers of texture and history, creating a bridge between the viewer and the artist. At the core of my practice is a fascination with the interaction between people, places, and architecture, reflecting how these elements influence one another.

julianthom@me.com     Linked In     Indeed 

Education


Glasgow School of Art
MA ComDes Illustration
2022—2023

Ontario College of Art and Design
BA Design Illustration 
2017—2022

Experience


Aritzia
Graphics and Textiles Design Coordinator 
2021 — 2022

  • Aritzia is a global women's retailer with roots in Vancouver Canada.
  • Canadian women's fashion brand founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, by Brian Hill in 1984.
  • Role as an illustrator and graphic designer, c reading illustrations, graphics and patterns for clothing.
  • Created 4 illustrations that were sold with many variations in colour and sizing. 
  • Secondary role was to assemble briefs and predict trends based on current fashion events. 

Freelance Illustrator 
Self-Employed 
2022 — Current

  • Since graduating Bachelors of Design, I worked part time as a freelance illustrator.
  • Since graduating Masters this year, I am now a full time freelance illustrator who also creates editorials for clients. 

Contact me to inquire about older past experiences. 

Skills 


  • Illustration
  • Graphic Design
  • Editorial Design
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Technical Drawing
  • Sketchbook
  • Painting 
  • Screen Printing
  • Risograph Printing
  • Analysis and Trend Research

References 


Brian Cairns: Com Des Leader Senior Lecturer

B.Cairns@gsa.ac.uk

Peter Locke: Com Des staff office.

P.Locke@gsa.ac.uk

Peter Hong-Tsun Chan: OCAD drawing and painting teacher

pchan@ocadu.ca

Edwin Pickstone: Technician/Com Des Lecturer and Technician.

E.pickstone@gsa.ac.uk

Colin Faulks: Com Des staff office.

C.faulks@gsa.ac.uk 

Matthew Walkerdine: Com Des staff office.

M.walkerdine@gsa.ac.uk and GoodPress

Using Format