Meet Allison Joseph | Illustrator & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Joseph and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, why did you pursue a creative career?
Like most creative professionals, I started my artistic journey when I was just a little thing. I loved to draw so much and as a kid I had no hesitation when it came to what I could and couldn’t draw, if I had something in my head that I wanted to draw I would fearlessly go for it. My biggest inspiration being the picture books that I would read growing up. Seeing the beautiful illustrations had really sparked something in my brain. I knew that that is what I wanted to do! Yes, the stories were great, but I adored the illustrations that, for me, breathed life and personality into the characters. Little did I know then that I would later pursue a career of visual storytelling by becoming an illustrator.

Growing up I was very fortunate to have people who unconditionally supported my love for the arts. Throughout my elementary school and middle school years I would just draw whatever I wanted, being mostly inspired by books I read and cartoons I would watch. It wasn’t until high school that I began to take my journey as an artist seriously. In that time with the help of my amazing teachers and friends I would sharpen my skills and really figure out my why. Why make art? Up until then I would draw because it was fun, and it made me happy but as I continued to improve, I came to realize that making art was my greatest form of expression and it gave me a voice when I didn’t have the right words to say. I knew then that I wanted to go to art school. There was nothing else I could possibly imagine myself doing other than creating. Figuring out where I wanted to go to pursue this was the problem. I remember in high school there was a girl one year ahead of me in art class who was an amazing artist and who I looked up to so much. One day my teacher had told me that she had planned to go to Savannah College of Art and Design. I had never heard of that school but when I had toured it in the summer going into my senior year, I knew that it was where I wanted to be.

My time at SCAD has been like no other. I was able to fully immerse myself in an amazing artistic community where I was blown away by the talent and creativeness of each individual student. I will always be grateful to have had the experience to learn under the best professors and alongside some of the most unique and interesting people. The artistic and creative community is really a big part of why I have pursued a creative career. Through the recent years I have been reminded that the artistic experience is about sharing what you’ve created and in return being open and inspired by the creations of others. To me, art is something that gives life and excitement into this world. By choosing this path, I am allowed to continue what I love doing while being able to pass down stories through my art that can hopefully one day inspire someone else to make the same journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I recently graduated from SCAD with a degree in Illustration and while it has been exciting and new to see where I go next, it has been just as terrifying and uncertain at the same time. It definitely hasn’t been easy trying to figure out what path I want to take and how to promote myself as an artist. When you go out into the world to be an artist professionally, it can be discouraging especially if you aren’t well known yet or people just don’t see your potential.

Despite all the doubt, one thing is for sure, I will never stop creating. Even if things don’t go my way at first, I can know that everything will be ok because in the end, I am improving every day by practicing. Making a living off art is most certainly my goal but ultimately making money from my art isn’t my why. If you were to ask me, “Why do you draw?” I know that I would never say, “for the money of course!” because to me, I have always drawn because I want to continue to create new ideas and share my visual storytelling with others.

Most recently with my illustrations, my intention has been to spark joy and love in the lives of others. I want my work to be used not only for storytelling but for celebration as well. When people see my illustrations, I want them to see happiness and whimsical fun in whatever form it may take. Growing up I always had a love of drawing my own characters to stories that I would come up with. While that is still true to this day, I have expanded my horizons and come to love a more design approach to my illustrations. That being mostly repeat patterns, surface design, stationery illustrations, and typography.

Wherever my artistic journey takes me in the upcoming years, I know it is going to be exciting! I’ve only just begun, and I know I’ll only keep improving.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When it comes to Savannah you really can’t go wrong with anywhere in the historic district! If you had the chance to come at a specific time of the year, I would say come in the spring. The weather is beautiful and that is when the Azalea bushes bloom and spot the squares and parks in gorgeous pink and purple flowers! The Flowers blooming is easily one of my favorite things about the city along with the shady oak trees and historic architecture.

If you’re willing to nosedive right into the touristy things, I would say you need to book a ghost tour for sure. Savannah is one of the oldest cities in the US with a lot of history and plenty of ghosts. You can choose between a walking tour or a bus tour, but if you ask me, the walking tours give you more of an up close and spooky experience than the bus tours. Speaking of tours, if it’s your first time in Savannah you have to take a trolley tour! The historic district of Savannah is very much walkable, but if you’re feeling fatigued from all the walking the open windowed trolley is a great way to cool down and see the best parts of the city.

When it comes to eating in Savannah, there are tons of restaurants to choose from! Savannah is touristy so don’t worry, you’ll never run out of options to eat and drink. If you have a bit of cash to burn, you have got to go to The Grey. The restaurant is an old, restored Greyhound bus terminal from the 30’s. Their menu is everchanging and everything is so well prepared you will never be disappointed. Savannah also has an endless amount of cute coffee shops if you’re into that. I’ve never been, but apparently Foxy Loxy is a fan favorite amongst college students. For me, I really love this café called Gallery Espresso on Bull St. Of course, the coffee is great, but I mostly love the cozy and quiet atmosphere that makes such a great hangout place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am forever grateful to my family first and foremost for always supporting my dreams. I know when it comes to pursuing a career in art, not everyone’s family is supportive. My family knew that art was what made me happy, and they trust that I will be successful in my creative career which I am thankful for. They have stuck by my side through thick and thin and continue to encourage me when I have my doubts.

Of course, I would never have made it far without my awesome friends and professors who taught me to be myself through my artwork and gave me a welcoming spot in the artistic community. My professors gave me challenges to face and pushed me to think outside the box. Although sometimes it was difficult, by them doing that I have grown so much as an artist, and they have given me the courage to take on challenges head on even if it means that I fail the first time. My friends have also been an amazing source of inspiration and encouragement in my life. Whether we were doing schoolwork together or just hanging out and sketching, they are and have been a source of many laughs and great memories.

One final shoutout is to my high school art teacher who had sadly passed away earlier this year. She was a ray of sunshine in my life and the best mentor I could ever ask for. She always cared about me as she did her other students and without her cheerleading and encouragement, I don’t think my life would be the same. She gave me direction in my artistic journey, and I will forever cherish her advice and the time I had as her student.

Website: https://www.allisonjoseph.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allison.jofish/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/AllisonJoseph-Illustration/