We're thrilled to announce Andrew Werdna is joining the agency.

Andrew graduated from Manchester School of Art in 2015 and is at the start of a very exciting career in illustration. Being named as a winner in the Barbican's Into The Unknown competition last year brought Andrew's work into the spotlight. Since then his playful graphic style is proving incredibly popular.

We spoke to Andrew about his award winning work, his passion for creating street art and his hopes for the future.

You graduated in 2015, could you tell us about your first steps into the world of illustration?

During my Art Foundation course I had the chance to try out a variety of disciplines, this was when I realised illustration was the one for me. After I graduated, at the same time as working on self directed briefs to broaden my portfolio, I began sending out emails to potential clients. I asked a lot of questions about what they were looking for in an illustrator which was really helpful in my development.

I also sent out Christmas cards and a print as a more personal touch and found this to be very successful at grabbing people's attention. Painting at street art festivals and building site hoardings around London seemed to get attention from the right people too.

Street Art Festivals sound interesting, could you tell us a little more about these?

I love working on murals. I've worked on several large scale projects and it's my favourite way to showcase work. I really enjoy the problem solving of scaling my work up, seeing it so big when it's finished is a treat! One of my favourite projects was a collaboration with Global Street Art last year. They wanted to install a 'Work and Play' themed mural, on some hoarding opposite their office. After a quick chat, I did a digital mock up, which they signed off and it was then painted over the course of two days.

Last year you were named as one of the winners of the Barbican's Into The Unknown print competition. Could you tell us a little bit about that?

The competition was run by the Barbican and contemporary illustration magazine Wrap, to celebrate the opening of the exhibition Into the Unknown: A Journey through Science Fiction. Illustrators were invited to consider what Science Fiction meant to them, or to explore current topics using the visual language associated with Science Fiction.

I produced a piece called Space Mum, which portrays an ordinary day in the life of Space Mum, who's out of this world. I took inspiration from the artwork that was produced around the space race between the United States and Soviet Union, using colours and imagery from Soviet poster designs.

I was honoured to be chosen as one of the winners and have my work featured at the Barbican for the duration of the exhibition.  

How would you describe your work?

Bold and simplified, I like breaking things down to a refined form. I love to use bright colours, subtle textures and no outlines. I try to replicate the aesthetics of print in my work.

Is there an illustration project that you have particularly enjoyed working on?

I recently worked on an editorial commission for Creative Review, about juggling time whilst being a freelancer. I worked up various ideas as there was a lot I could relate to in the article. I enjoy the variety of work being a freelancer, no two days are the same and this keeps me on my toes, which hopefully the illustration portrays.

What would your dream project be?

It's always been my dream to work on a Transport for London poster. I would love to be catching the train and see my work on the platforms, tunnels and inside the trains.

To view Andrew's full portfolio, click here.