Visiting Artist Series: Jade Orlando

Photos © Ravenshutleystudios.com

This week, we had the pleasure of hosting Jade Orlando, a talented illustrator based in Atlanta, as part of our Visiting Artist Series. Over the course of three days, Jade engaged with our students visiting different classes through presentations, demos, and insightful discussions, leaving a lasting impact on our Illustration community.

During her visit, Jade stopped by my class, ILLU 386: Repeat Pattern for Illustrators, where she shared insights into the surface design industry, including tips on portfolio building and navigating the freelance market. Given her extensive experience in surface design, including greeting cards, pattern design, and packaging illustration, her insights were invaluable to our students. She shared her journey as an illustrator, offering practical advice on building a strong portfolio, navigating the industry, and identifying opportunities in the illustration market. Beyond the technical aspects, what made Jade’s visit truly special was the personal and candid nature of our discussions. Students were engaged in an extended Q&A session, where she generously answered questions about her career, process, and challenges. The conversation felt natural and open, making it incredibly relatable and motivating for students who are preparing to enter the field themselves. 

On Friday morning, Jade wrapped up her visit with a hands-on department-wide demo and workshop, where she walked us through her illustration process step by step. We had a great turnout, with students eager to see how she approaches her work, from concept to final execution. Seeing her workflow firsthand was both inspiring and educational, offering valuable takeaways for students looking to refine their own creative processes.

Jade’s energy, expertise, and willingness to share her experiences made this visit a memorable and enriching experience. Her visit was an incredibly motivating and enriching experience, and we are so grateful for her time with us as part of our Illustration Department community, and we hope to welcome her back in the future!

Check out more of Jade Orlando's work at jadefrolics.com and Bright Agency!!