interview with an illustrator
Greg Becker
the London-based
illustrators shares his love
of Raymond Briggs, writing
music, keeping notebooks
and collecting pumpkins . . .
u SB What drew you to illustration? Greg: Seeing the work of
Errol Le Cain and Raymond Briggs at a European illustration show
in 1976. u SB Do you have any formal design training? Greg:
Yes too much. 8 years at various colleges ending in an MA at
the Royal College of Art. u SB Where do you live now and what
drew you there? Greg: I came to London to study and it gradually
became my home. u SB Do you collect anything? Greg: Small
plastic and lead figures, especially damaged ones. u SB Do you
keep a scrapbook? Greg: Lots of notebooks. u SB What are your
interests outside of illustration? Greg: Writing music for the
acoustic guitar, growing pumpkins and playing badminton. u SB
Tell us about a favourite project you’ve recently completed. Greg:
My favourite projects are my own projects but they are never
completed. u SB What would be your dream commission? Greg:
Being commissioned to finish one of my own projects. u SB Who
are your illustration heroes? Greg: Angela Barrett, Raymond
Briggs. u SB Who are your design heroes? Greg: Eric Ravilious,
Edward Bawden. u SB How do you think a friend, or professor
181