What is Illustration? An Interview with D. B. Dowd
Episode #310 | Art by Lee White
Is there more to illustration than storytelling with pictures? D.B. Dowd joins Sam Cotterill and Jake Parker to discuss the influence of illustration on society, taking ownership of your work, and the history of the field.
SHOW LINKS
D.B. Dowd: dbdowd.com, @db_dowd
Reading Pictures: A History of Illustration
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Illustration is art that contributes to a text, but it’s accessible to people of all literacy and maturity levels.
Illustration shapes our biases and perceptions, whether we realize it or not. Therefore, it’s important to take responsibility for the messages you propagate with your art.
Create because you’re an artist, not because you hope art will pay the bills. If you need to work a 9-to-5 to support yourself, do that and preserve the integrity of your art.
You’re not just an image generator; you’re a cultural producer.
Authorship is a way of being. What are you influencing?
SUMMARY
What is the role of an illustrator? Is illustration fine art, social commentary, or just pictures for children?
As it turns out, it’s a little bit of all of that, and so much more.
Illustration history extraordinaire D.B. Dowd defines illustration as art that contributes to a text. But there’s more to this description than meets the eye; illustrations shape our perceptions of the world, often subconsciously. Whether for a children’s book, an advertisement, or a graphic novel, illustrations can add deeper meaning to the written word in a way that’s accessible to anyone, no matter how literate they are.
In this episode, Dowd explores the rich history of illustration, from early times until the present day. He encourages illustrators to view themselves less as artists-for-hire and more as cultural developers. You’ll learn about the shoulders you stand on and the potential contribution you can offer to the world through this career.
BIO
D.B. Dowdis an author, illustrator, and professor. Born in Massillon, Ohio, he studied history, theater, and art at Kenyon College and later received his MFA in printmaking. He teaches illustration, design, and cultural history at Washington University in St. Louis; and the Communication Design program at Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. He is the author and illustrator of multiple books, the latest of which, Reading Pictures: A History of Illustration, was published in April 2026.