Aurélia Durand celebrates multiculturalism and community in her lively illustrations

It’s never easy finding your voice as an illustrator, but this is something which Aurélia Durand has succeeding in via her colourful and lively practice. In her talk at February’s Nicer Tuesdays, the French illustrator talked us through her inspirations and how she developed a visual style that’s both recognisable and varied – one that’s filled with personal narratives of family, travel and childhood. To kick off the talk, Aurélia first showed us a video introduction to her work spanning a host of commissions, digital illustrations, animations, AR and murals. Next, she discussed her values as an illustrator and how she represents her heritage through her practice. “I grew up in a family with different cultural backgrounds,” she explained. “This is the inspiration to my work – where I come from – and I want to tell that through my work.”

Aurélia then showed the audience some key examples from her recent portfolio, which included a series of joyful animations as well as a handful of collaborations with brands, such as a fun and vivid sticker commission for Giphy. Consistent in style, Aurélia’s aesthetic is authentic and celebratory; she strives to tell stories of diversity, representation and community, all the while amplifying the voices of Afro-descendants. “By reconnecting with my roots," she said, "I connected with so many people around the world.”