Biography
Timothy Banks is an illustrator and educator whose work spans children’s publishing, editorial illustration, advertising, and visual storytelling. His clients have included Nike, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Nickelodeon, Faber & Faber, Holiday House, Lerner/Carolrhoda, Capstone, and McGraw-Hill. His work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, Spectrum, 3x3, Creative Quarterly, and Showcase 100.
His illustrated book Deadly Daylight was named a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year in 2025. Banks maintains an active professional illustration practice alongside his teaching, with current projects in children’s publishing, book covers, editorial illustration, and large-scale public and environmental artwork. At UCF, he teaches illustration with an emphasis on visual storytelling, conceptual development, drawing, composition, and professional practice.
Research Interests
Illustration, Visual Storytelling, Children’s Publishing, Editorial Illustration, Narrative Image-Making, Character Design, Sequential Art, Drawing and Painting, Illustration Pedagogy, Professional Practice
Recent Research Activities
Banks maintains an active professional illustration practice focused on publishing, narrative illustration, and visual storytelling. Current projects include children’s publishing and book illustration for international publishers, book cover illustration, editorial and commissioned illustration, and large-scale environmental artwork. His recent publishing work includes projects with Hachette, Puffin, Harvest House, and other international publishers. His ongoing creative research explores narrative image-making, character, atmosphere, visual sequencing, and the relationship between traditional drawing and contemporary digital processes.
Professional Activities
Professional illustrator represented by Bright Agency. Member of the Association of Illustrators, Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Additional professional activities include teaching with Rhode Island School of Design Continuing Education, giving invited talks, leading workshops, conducting portfolio reviews, and collaborating on illustration and visual storytelling.
Publications
Books
- Forthcoming Smits, Jonas. De Wraak van de Zamelaar. Illustrated by Timothy Banks. Billy Bones, 2026.
- Harrier, Ash, author. Banks, Timothy, illustrator. Deadly Daylight. Holiday House, 2023
- Loh-Hagan, Virginia. Nian, the Chinese New Year Dragon. Illustrated by Timothy Banks. Sleeping Bear Press, 2019.
Awards
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, Deadly Daylight, 2025
- 3x3 International Illustration Annual, Merit, 2026
- Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, Gold Award
- 3x3 International Illustration Annual, Bronze Award
- Spectrum Fantastic Art
- Creative Quarterly
- Showcase 100
Courses
| Course # | Course | Title | Mode | Days/Times | Syllabus | |
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| 90682 | GRA2151C | Illustration | In Person (P) | M,W 5:00 PM - 7:50 PM | Syllabus | |
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GRA 2151C CAH-VISARTDES 3(2,4) Illustration: PR: ART 2201C and ART 2300C. Pictorial and representational illustration using various media and techniques. This course introduces students to the principles and practices of contemporary illustration as a form of visual communication and storytelling. Through a variety of traditional illustration media, students will explore concept development, composition, drawing, character design, narrative imagery, editorial illustration, and traditional illustration media. The course emphasizes idea generation, process, audience awareness, and the development of an individual visual voice. Students will engage in critiques, iterative problem-solving, and professional workflow practices while building a foundational illustration portfolio. |
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| 93177 | GRA3747C | Intermediate Illustration Ⅰ | In Person (P) | M,W 2:00 PM - 4:50 PM | Syllabus | |
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GRA 3747C CAH-VISARTDES 3(2,4) PR/CR: ART 3950 or ART 3952 or GRA 3950 Intermediate Illustration I: Techniques, production processes, media, and materials used to create illustrations for works utilizing sequential visual narrative. |
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