Emma Clements - Jan 2025
“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way!” - Dr. Seuss
As we step into the snowy and cold start to 2025, I wanted to take a moment to sit down with a hot cup of tea, reflect on my journey as an illustrator, and share my plans and goals for this year.
Reflection of 2024
As a “student,” I am officially halfway through my Master's Degree in Illustration. With just one module left before my final major project, things are starting to get exciting, and pressure is on. It has been a very rewarding, if not challenging, first year, and I am excited to see what is next. Professionally, 2024 was an incredible year for me; it ticked off numerous significant milestones and key life goal achievements. One of the major highlights of my journey was being a small part of the Reflection Realities project. Being able to contribute to improving disability representation in children's books has been a truly humbling experience. It feels incredibly rewarding to have played a small part in making a positive impact not only for others but also as a form of healing for my inner child, the child I once was who needed and longed for representation in books. Part of this project involved speaking at The London Book Fair, where I gave my first public speech about what this project meant to me. I can’t think of a more fitting way to start a possible future in public speaking by sharing my experiences as a deaf child and what a difference this project could make on the futures of disabled children and how they are represented in children’s books. At the Rock Retreat, I’ve had the huge privilege of meeting some of the most incredible and inspiring people — writers, illustrators, and publishers who have shared their stories and wisdom, making the week nothing short of transformative in my illustration journey. I had travelled alone for the first time abroad, and I had no idea what to expect. But as soon as I stepped off the plane in Gibraltar, I felt so welcomed. Gibraltar is a unique and beautiful place, and I left with a renewed sense of inspiration and confidence in my future. With brilliant new ideas and new friends (My Gibraltar family), I can create something beautiful in 2025.
I graduated in July 2024, earning a First Class Honours degree in BA Illustration. This milestone marked the end of four years of dedication and study with the Open College of Arts. It is evidence that a deaf girl free from barriers can reach for the stars and achieve a high academic standard.
Part of me is not sure how to deal with 2025 as I have not yet fully processed 2024 yet.
My primary goals for this year include the following:
1st Goal: Blog More, Share More, Reflect More
One of my key goals this year is to document and share more creative processes with you. I have been thinking much about connecting with my readers more effectively, so I am committing to blogging more frequently. Starting from this moment, I am holding myself accountable for posting more, with a roundup at the end of each month.
Accountability as a creative isn’t just about meeting deadlines or achieving goals—it’s about being honest with yourself and others about your progress, challenges, and growth. For me, blogging is a good way to hold myself accountable and share the process with all of you, whether it’s breakthroughs or struggles as a deaf illustrator. 2nd Goal: Get Writing. I currently have seven picture book manuscripts, each in different stages of development. Some are partly illustrated, while others are still just drafts. My goal is to focus on these stories and see where they lead. Ultimately, one will become my final major project (spoilers ahead!). One of my AOI mentor's best tips was to write a little every day, and it does not have to be perfect. 3rd Goal: Keep up studying and never stop learning. My studies for my Master's will be a significant focus in 2025, with my Final Major Project playing a key role. However, as a creative person, I believe it is essential never to stop learning and to seek new knowledge continuously. Here are a few ideas/ways you can learn in 2025: Formal Education: university courses, online programs, earn certifications.
Reading: Books, research papers, articles, and blogs.
Workshops/Seminars: Events with experts and to network.
Mentorship/Networking: Mentors and engage with peers for support.
Podcasts/Audiobooks: Listen to educational content.
Creative Practice: Experiment with new projects, collaborate, and try different techniques.
Online Communities: Join forums and engage in creative communities.
Travel/Exposure: New cultures and environments.
Reflection/Self-Assessment: Regularly evaluate your progress.
Creative Collaboration: Work with others and share skills.
Hopefully, I can cover this list in more detail in a future blog on the topic of gaining knowledge and learning within the illustration industry.
4th Goal - More connections Sure! Here's a revised version of your message:
I’m looking to connect more with fellow creatives and those passionate about picture books, especially with a focus on disability representation and everyday stories. Whether you're an As an author, a client, or just someone interested in sharing stories and ideas, I’d love to connect and exchange thoughts.
You can find me on Instagram, Facebook groups, and LinkedIn. 5th Goal - Staying Open-Minded and Adapting
I want to maintain an open mind in 2025. Part of that is recognizing that things don't always go as planned. It’s important to embrace mistakes and be willing to adjust my goals at any given time, learning from every experience along the way.
Being kind and mindful with yourself is both enlightening and powerful.
Lastly, I want to remain flexible in my goals as I understand that not everything will go according to plan.
How about you? Do you have any goals for 2025?
I would love to hear what you’re working on!
Emma
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