ART DIRECTOR

Hi, I’m Giuseppe Castellano. I am an award-winning art director, illustrator, and designer. With over 18 years of publishing experience—most years as an art director at Penguin Random House and Simon and Schuster—I have worked with every kind of illustrator on every kind of children’s book.

ILLUSTRATOR & DESIGNER

I earned a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design (after going there initially to be an architect), and an MFA in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology. As a fine artist, illustrator, and designer, I’m well-versed in myriad traditional and digital media.

EDUCATOR

I am also the founder and creative director of The Illustration Department—a global leader in personalized, online education for illustrators of all experience levels.

You can learn more about my school (which my wife and I co-founded in 2015), read testimonials, and view the alumni showcase by visiting illustrationdept.com.

PODCAST HOST

My most recent venture is The Illustration Department Podcast.

A mainstay in Apple Podcasts “Top Podcasts in Visual Arts”, I chat with folks in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields about the ups and downs of their careers.

Guests include art directors, agents, editors, illustrators, graphic designers, authors, museum directors, and more.

Past guests include: Yuko Shimizu, Mohamed Danawi (founder of IlloZoo), Ben Zhu (founder of Gallery Nucleus), Jon Cockley (founder of Handsome Frank), Jim Hoover (Art Director at Penguin), Leonard Marcus, Leo Espinosa, Betsy Lewin, Floyd Cooper, Olimpia Zagnoli, Kevin Eastman (co-founder of TMNT), and Seymour Chwast.

You can listen to my podcast on the following platforms:

Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Google Play • Stitcher

SPEAKER

I have been a guest speaker, critic, and teacher at schools including:

SAY HELLO!

If you would like to work with me—or just say hi—feel free to contact me.