The Journal

The Dutch Uncle Journal is a considered study of illustration, design, and animation in practice, how they are conceived, commissioned and realised in the wider world.

This is where we share the thinking behind our latest projects and engage with the wider shifts shaping visual culture, from the resurgence of handmade texture to the ways art redefines the spaces we inhabit.

A collection of work and ideas from the front line of contemporary illustration.

Merry-Go-Round Broke Down: Noma Bar’s Iconic Book Cover Art for David Woo’s Globalization Novel
Noma Bar, Book Publishing Daniel Chrichlow Noma Bar, Book Publishing Daniel Chrichlow

Merry-Go-Round Broke Down: Noma Bar’s Iconic Book Cover Art for David Woo’s Globalization Novel

Noma Bar’s wraparound book cover design for Merry-Go-Round Broke Down establishes the visual identity for David Woo’s globalization novel. Published by Regalo Press, this historical fiction uses nine parables to explore capital’s butterfly effect. A 2008 hostage crisis serves as a microcosm for our interconnected global order

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Joel Holland — NYC Street Vendors  published by Prestel

Joel Holland — NYC Street Vendors published by Prestel

Joel Holland’s NYC Street Vendors (Prestel) frames the city’s curbside economy as essential infrastructure. Mapping over 150 mobile businesses across all five boroughs, this "visual love letter" proves that illustration is the ultimate tool for capturing the grit and humanity of the rolling kitchens that feed and shape the cultural fabric of New York.

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Noma Bar Illustrates Early Fiction by Margaret Atwood for Vintage Classics
Noma Bar, Book Publishing Dutch Uncle Noma Bar, Book Publishing Dutch Uncle

Noma Bar Illustrates Early Fiction by Margaret Atwood for Vintage Classics

Noma Bar illustrates early Margaret Atwood fiction for Vintage Classics, creating minimalist book covers that echo the tension and psychological depth of Atwood’s writing. Using visual double meanings and delayed reveals, Bar’s designs bring subtle unease to titles like Bodily Harm and Bluebeard’s Egg, blending illustration and literary tone seamlessly.

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Tavis Coburn and the bold look of the Camp-X Book Jacket Series
Illustration, Tavis Coburn, Book Publishing Dutch Uncle Illustration, Tavis Coburn, Book Publishing Dutch Uncle

Tavis Coburn and the bold look of the Camp-X Book Jacket Series

Tavis Coburn creates bold, retro-futurist covers for Camp-X series by Eric Walters. Using strong shapes and limited colour, the designs support the books’ grounded espionage themes, translating real wartime training into clear, engaging visuals that make historical storytelling accessible to younger readers.

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David Benioff : Book cover illustrations by SHOUT

David Benioff : Book cover illustrations by SHOUT

Alessandro Gottardo, known as SHOUT, creates cohesive cover illustrations for David Benioff titles published by Penguin Random House. Designed under the direction of Paul Buckley, the covers establish a consistent visual identity across the author’s catalogue, linking separate works through a unified, structured design approach.

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Brian Rea and the The History of Illustration (Fairchild Books – Bloomsbury)
Arts and Culture, Brian Rea Dutch Uncle Arts and Culture, Brian Rea Dutch Uncle

Brian Rea and the The History of Illustration (Fairchild Books – Bloomsbury)

Brian Rea contributes to The History of Illustration, a comprehensive academic volume edited by Susan Doyle. Spanning global visual culture from ancient to contemporary practice, the book positions illustration as a critical discipline, linking historical image-making traditions to modern storytelling and communication.

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Discover the World’s Greatest Parks in ‘Parks’ illustrated by Marc Majewski

Discover the World’s Greatest Parks in ‘Parks’ illustrated by Marc Majewski

Marc Majewski illustrates global public spaces in Parks, published by Abrams Books.

This illustrated guide features hand-painted depictions of diverse locations, including Central Park and the Great Barrier Reef. The book highlights the intersection of conservation, urban planning, and community . A rich visual resource for families and kids as well as illustration enthusiasts.

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Whale Eyes — A Groundbreaking Illustrated Memoir by James Robinson, Featuring Art by Brian Rea
Brian Rea, Book Publishing Dutch Uncle Brian Rea, Book Publishing Dutch Uncle

Whale Eyes — A Groundbreaking Illustrated Memoir by James Robinson, Featuring Art by Brian Rea

Whale Eyes by James Robinson, with illustrations by Brian Rea, redefines the memoir through immersive design and emotional storytelling. Blending visual experimentation with personal narrative, the book invites readers to see differently—transforming perception into a powerful, interactive experience that resonates across generations.

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Magical Realms Come Alive in 'The Faerie Isle,' Illustrated by Dermot Flynn for Walker Books

Magical Realms Come Alive in 'The Faerie Isle,' Illustrated by Dermot Flynn for Walker Books

The Faerie Isle brings Ireland's forgotten folklore to vivid life for young readers aged 8+. Compiled by Síne Quinn with stunning illustrations by Dermot Flynn, this £14.99 hardback explores selkies, leprechauns, shape-shifters and more — drawn from the Irish National Folklore Collection. A magical gift for curious minds.

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