Some people seem to have creativity woven into every part of their lives, and Rob Ramsden is certainly one of them. A published author, artist, illustrator, teacher and collector, Rob is an all-round creative whose work spans picture books, illustration, printmaking and design. As the artist behind the maps at Planet Patrol Studio, he brings a wonderfully curious and thoughtful approach to his work, drawing inspiration from everyday observations, the natural world and an eclectic mix of art and design. In this interview, Rob shares the creative journey that brought him here, the importance of storytelling through images, and why, for him, the process of making is just as exciting as the finished result.
I asked him a few questions, here is some more about Rob.
Describe your design style?
I work across a range of projects, I haven’t got a style, but I do have a process. The work ends up looking the way it does because of the idea I’m trying to pin down visually, and the projects I do are varied, so my work can look quite different for each. I’m more than happy to wait to see how a project turns out.
What is your background? How does it link to what you are doing now?
I studied painting and printmaking, then spent time making comics, illustration, and animation. Looking back, all of those experiences fed into what I do now as an author-illustrator. The common thread has always been storytelling through images, and that’s why I turned my attention to making picture Books. When I met my publisher Scallywag Press, it was an eventful meeting, and I could see straight away that I’d met the right publisher for my books, I knew we were on the same page!
Did you always know you were going to be a creative?
Definitely not, but once I discovered Art College, and realised that being creative could be part of everyday life, I knew it was something I needed, and that feeling has never gone away.
What was your breakthrough moment?
There were probably two. The first was being told, six months after leaving school, that I could study Art at college. I’d had the unfortunate luck of attending a school that wasn’t supportive, so that opportunity changed everything. The second was realising I could get paid for being creative! Since then, I've learnt that breakthroughs often come in smaller moments, one project at a time.
What challenges have you faced?
Too many to list, from day-to-day neurodivergent challenges, and the things that life inevitably throws at us. Somehow, I seem to come through the other side, more or less intact.
How do you stay motivated?
I’m lucky. There seems to be something deep within that kicks in just when I need it.
What is your dream project?
The picture book I’m working on right now. It’s another self-authored story.
What do you think of ai? Do you use it?
There’s probably not enough space here for a proper answer. The short version is what I often say to my students: don’t AI yourself out of the thinking and creative process.
Name some of your favourite artists or styles
Picture books are a rich tapestry of different approaches to art and storytelling, and visiting the Bologna Children's Book Fair is always inspiring. When not engrossed in the art of picture books, I can become just as fascinated by the choice of a typeface, the quality of printing on a page, or the extreme painterly marks in a painting by artist JMW Turner. What interests me most is the question behind the work: how did they do that, why did they make that choice, and what were the circumstances that led to it?
Name a few things that inspire you and your work?
Observation, conversations, everyday life, the natural world, and an eclectic mix of art and design.
What are some of your most important tools to use when designing - software or physical things?
A healthy mix of both. I think with a pencil in my hand, using sketchbooks and loose sheets of paper to explore ideas. The finished work usually comes together through a combination of physical materials and digital processes.
How can people get in touch with you?
Through my website, robramsden.co.uk, or on Instagram at @robramsden_illustrator.
