Meet the Judges: Samantha Johnson, Picture Editor

Samantha Johnson has been Picture Editor at Penguin Press in London since 2004. She researches and commissions photography, illustration and fine art for Penguin Classics, Modern Classics and the non-fiction imprints Allen Lane and Particular Books.

Penguin’s design heritage is well known and Sam has commissioned work for poetry, literature and non-fiction that has gone on to win leading prizes in the UK including the V&A Illustration awards and the Arts Foundation Award for Illustration. Illustrators and artists using a variety of media have produced astounding work for Penguin covers, including Chinese woodblock prints, oil paintings, papercut  as well as hand drawn and digitally originated imagery. In the world of book cover design, where concept is key, the role for original and creative artists and illustrators is highly valued.

Sam studied history, art history and literature at university, focussing on the use of photography as historical document for her Masters degree. She has subsequently worked with the historical collections of the Royal Photographic Society and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. In 2001 she co-founded a design partnership, Bickford Smith & Johnson with Coralie Bickford-Smith working on pattern design beyond the book publishing world.

Samantha will be judging the 3x3 Professional Show.

Open to all illustrators in all countries, enter our professional, picture book or student show. All entries must be in by March 31st, enter today.