Ed Young is an absolute legend and should be more widely known. I find it a shame that such amazing artists and designers are less known than people involved in social media and pop culture. People who are famous for being famous whilst someone like Ed Young, a multiple award-winning illustrator and storyteller are largely unknown by most. I would argue that if it were the other way around, we might live in a far better world.
Ed Young is a Chinese-born American illustrator and writer of children’s picture books. A full history biography of his life and work can be found online. This blog post serves as an introduction to someone whose work I admire. I first encountered his work when I stumbled on ‘Lon Po Po’. I was living in Taiwan at the time. He won the Caldecott Medal for illustrating Lon Po Po in 1990. Lon Po Po is the origin story of Red-riding hood. I think I’m right in saying that the story originated in China and moved across to Europe as storytellers re-told it over time. In 2016 Ed Young was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Illustrators.
To me, Ed Young isn’t just an amazing illustrator but a sage and guiding light in life. Design and art are deeply spiritual tasks, we connect with our higher selves when we work, and Ed Young has amazing advice for all artists and designers at every level of life and experience.
Looking at his work in Lon Po Po, aside from his amazing skill in manipulating soft pastels as a medium, we see a master of composition and visual storytelling. Each panel is controlled and works together to lead the viewer on. The tension and impact created in each panel speak to the whole. If you haven’t got a copy of Lon Po Po yet you should order one as soon as possible. It will change your life. Also, go read more about him, his book Voices of the Heart is great as well as his other books. Ed Young, a master in our time: https://www.edyoungart.com