Diversity in illustration: As a creator, you are either part of the solution or part of the problem
Images have the power to challenge assumptions and to sway an audience perspective and world view. Illustrators hold responsibility to be aware of the lack of diversity within mainstream media, to strive to create artworks that represent inclusivity and promote positive change.
The question of how to create diverse illustrations has often cropped up when I’ve visited universities as an associate lecturer. Some students have expressed the view that they don’t feel it’s their place to represent another culture, ethnicity or world view for fear of getting it wrong. Or some are worried it may be perceived as tokenism. In an age of online public shaming and accusations of cultural appropriation, I can see why illustrators might be concerned about depicting images that aren't directly from their own experience. However the role of an illustrator is to convey information and to tell stories, through diligence of research it is vital to portray a myriad of different experiences and promote visability. As Eldridge Cleaver said 'You are either part of the solution or part of the problem' (writer, political activist and leader of the Black Panther movement). By choosing not to see the problem it downplays the reality of other peoples lived experience. In order to move forward, there is a need to confront commonly held biases to make way for positive change.
“You are either part of the solution or part of the problem.”
Diversity applied to crowd scenes or in the background of an artwork unfortunately doesn’t address the greater problem. The issue persists as there is a lack of diverse characters at the forefront, comparable to the film industry and the lack of diversity within castings. However as an illustrator you have the ability to operate as your own casting director, with the control to challenge existing bias and assumptions.
“Diversity is the norm and this should be reflected in the media around us.”
I was once asked to edit an illustration, to change the skin of a man to be white, for fear that it would mislead the audience to perceive the text to be about race. This implies a stance that white is commonly assumed to be neutral, which is not the case and is a salient reminder of the need to challenge perceptions. Where appropriate you can make acts of small change by depicting underrepresented minorities into prominent positions, as opposed to cast members in the background. Which by extension can be applied to all forms of inclusion from gender, age, religion, mental or physical as ability, as well as cultural identity and LGBTQ+ communities because diversity is the norm and this should be reflected in the media around us. Furthermore it should be celebrated that art directors are more frequently commissioning people positioned in the right place to work on projects representative of their experience and world view.
