About me

@olliehirstillustration

I'm Ollie. I'm an award-winning Conceptual Illustrator & Mentor / Bionic Man based in Manchester, UK.
Translating Science, Health & Tech into vivid human stories.

I'm a lifelong cardiac pacemaker patient with Congenital Heart Block. Living with a device in my chest that quite literally keeps me alive has helped shape the way I see the world. Science, health & tech govern my life.

I like my work to hinge on a strong idea, filtering complex topics into clear concepts that inform, inspire, engage and advocate, helped by a splash of colour. My work often explores visualising complex science for a curious general public, giving a voice to patients, chronic health conditions and treatment options and finding humanity in the tech noise.

My approach is a bold blueprint. I call this "Bright Colour & Brighter Ideas".

I do not and will not use Artificial Intelligence in my working process.

I illustrate across editorial & commercial, working with the likes of AstraZeneca, BBC, The British Heart Foundation, Citroën, Harvard Business Review, The Lancet, Nature, New Scientist, The New York Times, Science Magazine, TED and has been recognised by The World Illustration Awards, Communication Arts, Creativepool, The World Brand Design Society, The One Club for Creativity and D&AD. In 2024, I was also named a candidate for Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe.

I am advised, supported and protected as a member of The Association of Illustrators.

I'm passionate about playing an active role in trying to make the illustration industry a more accessible place for emerging talent, as a working class, northern creative. I periodically hold my own mentoring sessions over video calls and I've also been involved with organisations such as The AOI, D&AD, The RSA and Agents For Change. As of 2024, I am on the advisory board of The Arena UK and I also co-founded "ILLUMINATE: Shining a light on science-infused illustration" with fellow pro illustrator Chiara Vercesi, creating a community of science-infused professionals dedicated to networking, sharing opportunities, and exchanging knowledge, while creating a space to nurture new talent.

I am represented worldwide my Making Pictures in London.

DISCLAIMER: Ollie Hirst holds all copyright to all content here on this profile and unauthorised use of it may result in legal action being taken in accordance with UK copyright law. This is inclusive of unauthorised use of my work to train Artificial Intelligence platform algorithms or making derivative works without my express written consent.

Awards

World Brand Design Society Silver, World Illustration Awards (AOI) - Shortlisted, World Illustration Awards (AOI) - Winner

Trade Associations

The Association of Illustrators