Shaping Places: Illustration and Public Art

What role can public art projects play in shaping the places we live, work and visit?

From celebrating people and creativity, fostering moments of shared connection or revitalising forgotten places, public art has the potential to shape people and places and leave lasting social, cultural and economic impact. But how do we ensure these projects succeed and what are the challenges and responsibilities that accompany creating art in the public realm?

Bringing together leading artists in the field, we invite our panel to share their perspectives on creating public art, including how these projects originate, what they aim to achieve and how such projects can have a meaningful impact long-term.

The conversation will also explore what illustration can uniquely bring to projects in the public realm and considerations around how illustrators can take their work outside of the studio, translating it to different scales and locations.

Whether you are an illustrator, designer, architect, student, public planner, or simply interested in how public art can impact the world we live, all are welcome to join the conversation. The talk will be followed by a Q&A. 

This event is programmed as part of London Design Festival 2026.

Full panel to be announced shortly.