Prof. David Blaiklock
PRESIDENT, C-IDEA ASSOCIATION
Profile
David is the Program Director of the Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation) program which he founded in 2018 at the School of Art, Architecture and Design, University of South Australia (UniSA).
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He lectures in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Illustration, Animation and Graphic Design courses within the School of Art, Architecture and Design at University of South Australia. David is a nationally recognized teacher with a Distinguished Teaching Award from the Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools (ACAUDS) and a Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning from the Australian Office for Learning and Teaching.
Research: David is currently undertaking Doctoral study focusing on the nature of expertise in Illustration professional practice at the School of Creative Industries (UniSA). Specific to the Illustration and Animation fields, his research interests span, expertise in professional practice, visual narrative structures, cultural communication and social advocacy.
Practice: As a practicing professional David has broad design and creative industry experience spanning 30 years. His work as an artist/illustrator and designer has been internationally recognized through international and national design awards and invited exhibitions, including, 1st International Poster Festival of Shenzhen, China, University of Maryland, Questioning the Bomb, History and Non – Proliferation Invitational Poster Exhibition, USA International Eco-poster Triennial “the 4th Block”, Ukraine, Graphic Advocacy: International Posters for a Digital World, USA, Hong Kong International Poster Triennial (2010), awarded Gold and Bronze, Winner Adelaide Fringe 2009 National Poster Competition and 2006 Australian Poster Annual.
The terms, ‘Illustrators’ and ‘Animators’ refer to highly skilled design professionals who provides innovative communication solutions to diverse industries such as education, communication media and entertainment. It is a creative field underpinned by entrepreneurial practice which requires the innnovative expertise, high level technical skills and deep understaning of design processes. In recent years Illustration and Animation professions have experienced a renaissance in conjunction with substantial shifts and consequent advancements in communication technology. Industry increasingly utilizes pictures in communication and information systems particularly within entertainment industries, enabling global audiences to effortlessly connect and absorb content. As a consequence this has fueled a growing demand for intelligent, innovative and motivated picture making specialists who are often referred to as ‘Illustrators’, Animators’ and Artists’. David Blaiklock
Positions
PROGRAM DIRECTOR, BACHELOR OF ILLUSTRATION AND ANIMATION. ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY
Education
2018 – 2026
ongoing
Doctor of Philosophy candidate: ‘The nature of Illustration expertise’
University of South Australia (Justice and Society)
2011
Graduate Certificate in Education (University Teaching)
University of South Australia
2007
Bachelor of Design (VisComm), Honours
University of South Australia
1991
Bachelor of Design (Illustration)
University of South Australia
Professional Awards, Distinctions
▪ Keynote Speaker, CIDEA (Creative International Design Educators Association) Conference, University of the Arts,
Nanjing, China (2024)
▪ Keynote Speaker, CIDEA (Creative International Design Educators Association) Conference, University of Technology, Guilin, China (2024)
▪ Beijing Opera Art International Poster Biennale, Invited Exhibitor (2024)
▪ The Image Proposal Research Network, Pop-Up Exhibition, “Enactive Aging: A Study in Collaborative Illustration
Practice”, Venice (2017)
▪ Hii Brand Exhibition ‘Ideas on Paper’, Selected exhibitor, Beijing Design Week (2016)
▪ 2nd International Poster Competition: Water is life, Frankfurt, Germany, Selected finalist, (2016)
▪ Segunda llamada 4th International Poster Competition, Yucatan, Mexico, Selected finalist, (2015)
▪ 11th International Eco-poster Triennial ‘the 4th Block’, Selected finalist, Ukraine (2015)
▪ Mexican Museum of Design, ‘To Death with A Smile’, Poster Competition, Selected finalist, (2013)
▪ Hii Illustration International Competition, Winner, awarded ‘Best of the Best’, (2012)
▪ 10th International Triennial of Eco Poster, ‘the 4th Block’, Ukraine, Selected finalist, (2012)
▪ Hong Kong International Poster Triennial, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Winner, awarded Gold and Bronze (2010)
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▪ Desktop Magazine Cover competition ‘Sustainability’, Finalist shortlisted (2010)
▪ Taiwan International Poster Award, Taiwan, Selected finalist, (2009)
▪ Third International Biennale of the Poster, BICeBe, Bolivia, Selected finalist, (2009)
▪ 9th International Triennial of Eco Poster, ‘the 4th Block’, Ukraine, Selected finalist, (2009)
▪ Adelaide Fringe Festival 2009, Poster Competition Winner, Adelaide, South Australia, (2009)
▪ Prospect National Portrait Prize, Prospect Gallery, South Australia, Finalist, (2009)
▪ Heysen Prize for Interpretation of Place, Hahndorf Academy, South Australia, Finalist, (2008)
▪ Desktop Create Awards, Desktop Magazine, Original Illustration Shortlist, (2008)
▪ 2nd Australian Poster Annual, Melbourne International Design Festival, National Design Centre, Victoria, Australia, (2006)
▪ ‘Art in Working Life Project’, in conjunction with South Australian Unions, Adelaide, South Australia, (2006)
▪ National Printing Industries and Craftmanship Awards was awarded Bronze in the Stationery Design category for
the design of Oliveilias Stationary, (2002)
▪ Awarded a Gold PICA (Printing Industries and Craftmanship Award) for the 2007 Police and Fireman Games Bid Document, (2001)
▪ Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers’ Association Awards (PANPA) for the design and layout of the Newscorp Sunday Mail “1996 Festive Fare” publication, (1997)
Leadership Experience And Achievements
Current-2019
▪ Program Director: Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation), Creative Unit, University of South Australia
Current-2021
▪ President and Chairperson: Creative International Design Educators Association (C-IDEA)
2023-2024
▪ Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Innovation & Technology, The Design School, Taylors University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2018-2017
▪ Program Coordinator: Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation), School of Art, Architecture and Design, University of South Australia
2017-2016
▪ Discipline Leader: University of South Australia, Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation)
Proposal and development of the Australia’s first, Bachelor of Design (Illustration and Animation)
2005-current
▪ Course Coordinator and Lecturer, University of South Australia
Illustration and Animation Design, Communication Design,
Graduate Diploma in Visual Art and Design (Specialisation)
Master of Design (Illustration)
2004-1999
▪ Studio Manager, Lane Print Group, South Australia
Teaching And Learning Experience And Achievements
▪ UniSA Summative Peer Reviewer of Teaching (SPRT) program (2024-2017)
▪ Distinguished Teaching Award, Australian Council of University Art & Design Schools (ACUADS) (2014-2013)
▪ Chancellor’s Award for Community Engagement, Commendation – Best collaborations on improving community engagement experience for students, University of South Australia (2013)
▪ Supported Teacher Award, University of South Australia (2012-2008)
▪ Australia Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2010)
‘For excellence in the approach to Illustration Design teaching which supports, motivates and engages student learning
through the recognition of individual priorities and professional focus’
▪ Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, University of South Australia (2008)
Research experience and achievements
▪ Message on a Bottle ‘Past, Present and Future’, a showcase of the historical, social and cultural impact of South
▪ Australian wine label design artefacts, curated from a span of 30 studios over 25 years (Mount Gambier, Riddoch
▪ Gallery, 2023), (Adelaide, Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, 2021)
▪ Doctor of Philosophy (Phd) candidate ‘The nature of Illustration expertise’ at UniSA (Justice & Society) (ongoing-2018)
▪ Developing Augmented Reality pedagogy for visual storytelling: Exploring the creative potential of Augmented Reality to deeply engage readers in visual storytelling within the context of commercial publishing (2022)
▪ International Illustration Research Network invited member (2022)
▪ UniSA Digital Transformations Research Centre, Invited Member (2019-2018)
▪ Supported Researcher, University of South Australia (2012-2009)
▪ Sleep Week Portal development (2013-2007)
This research collaboration with Associate Professor Kurt Lushington and Dr Mark Kohler involved the development and
implementation of a local, state, and national Sleep education program for primary school children.
▪ Public Transport project (2013-2009), in collaboration with match studio at the School of Art, Architecture and Design this project sought to enhance the perception of public transport through innovative community-based communication systems and campaigns.
Engagement Experience And Achievements
Committees (internal)
▪ UniSA Creative Unit (CTV) Academic Board member 2025-2022
▪ UniSA Creative Safety and Wellbeing Management Group, Academic Member (2025-2021)
▪ UniSA University Chemical Advisory Safety Committee, Creative Unit (CTV) member (2025-2021)
▪ School Executive Member, School Art, Architecture and Design (AAD) (2019-2018)
▪ Teaching and Learning Committee (TALC), School Art, Architecture and Design (2019-2017)
Committees (external)
▪ Squish Squash Illustration & Animation Community Founder/Board Member (2025-2023)
▪ President/Chairperson, Creative International Design Educators Association (C-IDEA) (2025-2021)
▪ AnimeGo Festival Judge, Japan Australia Friendship Association (JAF) (2025-2018)
▪ Awards Judge, Creative International Design Educator Association (C-IDEA), Beijing (2022-2018)
▪ Australian Graphic Design Association Education Advisor (AGDA) (2019)
▪ TAFESA Diploma in Game Art, Industry Consultation (2022-2017)
▪ Concept Design Workshop (CDW) (Flinders University) Industry Consultation (2016-2012)
▪ TAFESA Diploma of Graphic Design and Print Media, Industry Consultant (2015-2010)
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Profession Associations
▪ Squish Squash Illustration & Animation Community
▪ Creative International Design Educators Association (C-IDEA)
▪ International Illustrators Forum
▪ International Council of Design (Ico-D)
▪ Association of Illustrators (AOI), United Kingdom
▪ Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)
▪ Design 21, Social Design Network
Engagement with the Profession
▪ Founder: Squish Squash Illustration & Animation Community (2025-2023)
▪ President: Creative International Design Educators Association (C-IDEA) (2024-2021)
▪ Adelaide Festival Theatre, Memorandum of Understanding with UniSA Creative Unit (2023)
▪ AnimeGo Festival, Japan Australia Friendship Association (JAF) Collaboration Agreement with UniSA Creative Unit
(2023)
▪ ERA Publication Children’s Book Project in conjunction with UniSA Illustration and Animation (2022-2018)
▪ Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity Study (ENDIA, University of Adelaide), Project consultant (2019)
▪ Museum of Discovery (MOD), UniSA, Industry 4.0 Demonstrator exhibition project, Project consultant (2019)
▪ SA Refugee Week Student Poster Exhibition project in conjunction with UniSA Illustration, TAFESA and Australian
Migrant Resource Centre (2022-2017)
▪ Raising Literacy Australia, Book packing Volunteer (2018)
▪ Scholastic Publishing, Illustration Design course, Book Cover project (2014-2007)
▪ Peace Foundation Poster Exhibition in conjunction with the Graham Smith Peace Foundation, South Australian State
Theatre and UniSA Graduate Diploma in Visual Art and Design (2014)
▪ International year of the Quinoa exhibition in conjunction with United Nations Association of Australia and the
School of Art, Architecture and Design (2013)
▪ UniLife Website development (2009)
Students from the UniSA, School of Art, Architecture and Design, Visual Communication consultancy and the UniSA
School of Computer and Information Science collaborated to design and build the UniSA, UniLife organisation
website.
▪ RSPCA, Consultant/designer (2009)
▪ Coromandel Community Centre, Consultant/designer (2007)
Grants And Funding
National Competitive Grants
▪ New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant: $60,000
‘Singapore Design Week’, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) (2021)
▪ Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning: $10,000
‘For excellence in the approach to Illustration Design teaching which supports, motivates, and engages student learning through the recognition of individual priorities and professional focus’, Office for Learning and Teaching
(OLT) (2010)
Other Significant Funding
▪ Adelaide Fringe Festival: Squish Squash Exhibition funding: $4,000 (2025)
▪ UniSA Kerry Packer Civic Gallery exhibitions funding: $12,000
China International Design Educator Association (CIDEA) 2021 Awards Exhibition (2022)
Message on a Bottle ‘Past, Present and Future’, a showcase of the historical, social and cultural impact of South Australian wine label design artefacts, curated from a span of 30 studios over 25 years (2021)
Professor Li Xu: Playing a Character – Chinese Typographic Poster Design Exhibition (2017)
UniSA Illustration Alumni Exhibition: The Power of Illustration: A Legacy for the Future) (2017)
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University grants
▪ International Illustration Research Network: Research Assistant: $1500
▪ UniSA Creative ‘Developing Creative Partnerships’ Targeted ECR and MCR Program (2021): $3500.00
Developing Augmented Reality pedagogy for visual storytelling: Exploring the creative potential of Augmented Reality to deeply engage readers in visual storytelling within the context of commercial publishing
▪ Visiting Distinguished Thought Leader (VDTL) Scheme (2018): $15,000.00
Professor Robert Brinkerhoff, Dean of Fine Arts at Rhode Island School of Design
▪ Divisional Research Performance Fund Grant: $3000.00
‘Enhancing the perception of public transport through innovative community-based communication systems and campaigns’, UniSA Division of Education, Arts & Social Sciences (2009)
Publications
Book Chapters
▪ Blaiklock, D 2025, ‘Contemporary Illustration: Understanding how Illustration Resources Construct and Explain
Professional Illustration Expertise’ in The Language of Art and Artists, Palgrave Macmillan Cham, pp. 155-188
▪ Emery, S, Viljoen, JM, Blaiklock, D 2025, ‘Augmenting Alice: An Augmented Comic About a Mparntwe Road Trip’, in
Folio: Essays on Australian Comics, Palgrave Macmillan Cham, pp. 245-268.
▪ Blaiklock, D 2019, ‘What is the nature of illustration expertise?’, in A Companion to Illustration: Art and Theory,
Wiley-Blackwell, US, pp. 185–198.
Refereed Journal articles
▪ Mignone, J & Blaiklock, D 2019, Visual notation: an image making approach for communication in illustration
education, International Journal of the Image, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1–9.
▪ McGinley, T, Hoshi, K, Gruber, P, Haddy, S, Zavoleas, Y, Tan, L, Blaiklock, D & 1st Australasian Simulation Congress,
(ASC 2016 Melbourne, Australia September 2016) 2018, A katana design experience, in Intersections in Simulation
and Gaming, Springer, Switzerland, pp. 134–148.
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Refereed Conference proceedings
▪ Blaiklock, D & Mignone, J 2017, Visual Notation: An Image Making Approach for Communication in Illustration Education, 8th International Conference of the Image, Venice, Italy, 2017
▪ Blaiklock, D, 2015, Illustration: Towards an Understanding of Expertise in Practice, 6th Annual Illustration Research Symposium, Rhode Island School of Design Rhode Island, USA
▪ Blaiklock, D, 2012, Cognitive Shock: A Process Strategy for Illustration Design Education, DesignEd Asia Conference, School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
▪ Blaiklock, D, 2011, Expanding Illustration Design studio practice through critical reflection, DesignEd Asia Conference, School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
▪ Blaiklock, D, 2010, Design (Critical Reflection) Practice, Occasional Papers, Teaching and Learning, University of South Australia, Adelaide
▪ Blaiklock, D & Corso, R 2007, Illustration/Creative writing narrative, The Australian Council of University Art and Design Schools (ACUADS), College of Fine Arts, The University of New South Wales Industry Publications
▪ Blaiklock, D, 2011, ‘The Poster’, Desktop: The culture of Design, vol. 273, pp. 30-35.
▪ Blaiklock, D, 2006, Constructing story lines, a duet of pictures and text, Storylines, Gallery M, Marion City Council, Adelaide, South Australia
Peer reviewing
▪ Journal of Illustration, Invited paper reviewer (2018)
▪ The International Journal of the Image, Invited paper reviewer (2018)
▪ DesignEdAsia, Invited Conference paper reviewer (2016-2013)
Exhibitions
▪ Professor Li Xu: Typo-morphsis- Chinese Typographic poster Design, Kaurna Level 3 Gallery, University of South
Australia (2025)
▪ ‘What a plastic world’, International Invitation exhibition, Gouter Gallery, International Art and Design Association
(IADA), Korea (2024)
▪ ‘Message on a bottle’, An exhibition of wine label design: past, present, and future, South East/South Australia’, Mount Gambier Civic Gallery, Riddoch Gallery (2023)
▪ China International Design Educator Association (C-IDEA) 2021 Awards Exhibition, Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, University of South Australia (2022)
▪ ‘Message on a bottle’, An exhibition of wine label design: past, present, and future, South Australia’, Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, University of South Australia (2021)
▪ Professor Li Xu: Playing a Character – Chinese Typographic poster Design, Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, University of South Australia (2017)
▪ UniSA Illustration Alumni Exhibition: The Power of Illustration: A Legacy for the Future, Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, University of South Australia (2017)
▪ 1st International Poster Festival of Shenzhen, China (2015)
▪ Illustration Research Symposium, Rhode Island School of Design, ‘LITTLE PIECES / BIG IDEAS’, (2015)
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▪ 1st International Poster Festival of Shenzhen 2015, Shenzhen, China, Selected exhibitor, (2015)
▪ Questioning the Bomb, History and Non-Proliferation Exhibition, University of Maryland Art Gallery, (2015)
▪ The Storytellers: Celebrating the Renaissance of Illustration, Adelaide Town Hall, South Australia (2014) ‘Consumed’ Art Prize, City of Charles Sturt, Adelaide, South Australia (2014)
▪ Graphic Advocacy: International Posters for a Digital World 2001-2012, Massachusetts College of Art and Design,
Boston, Massachusetts, USA (2014-2013)
▪ 100 Typographic Posters, International Invitational Exhibition, May-December, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Dalian, China (2013)
▪ Adelaide Illustrator’s exhibition (IMBIBE) (2013-2011)
▪ Syntax: Analogue to digital dialogue, Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, South Australia (2011)
▪ SALA on Terrace, Group Exhibition, Terrace Furnishings, South Australia (2011)
▪ Titled, Australian Graphic Design Association, Exhibition (2011)
▪ Australian Graphic Design Association, SALA Exhibition (2010)
▪ Watershed Art Prize Exhibition (2010)
▪ Australia Project Exhibition, AGIdeas, Melbourne – selected for inclusion (2010)
SALA Festival Exhibition, Group Exhibition, Terrace Furnishings, South Australia (2009)
▪ Traces Exhibition, Kerry Packet Civic Gallery, UniSA, South Australia (2009)
▪ Illuminated 09, IMBIBE Illustrators’ Exhibition, South Australia (2009)
▪ ‘Redeemer Foundation Art Award’, Redeemer Lutheran College, Queensland, Australia, (2007)
▪ ‘Life Work Art’, SASA Gallery, Adelaide, South Australia, (2007)
▪ ‘Inaugural AGDA South Australian Poster Exhibition’, Adelaide Arcade, Adelaide, South Australia, (2007)
▪ ‘Constructive Art: Capturing the Construction of the Port River Expressway Bridges Art Competition’, Black Diamond
Square, Port Adelaide, South Australia, (2007)
▪ ‘Creating for Conservation’, Belair School, Belair, South Australia, (2007)
▪ ‘Design is….’Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA), SALA exhibition, Black Sheep Gallery, Rundle Street,
Adelaide, SA, (2006)