A YOUNG illustrator whose talent has been celebrated by sports stars and global brands has won a cascade of new work after relocating his studio to Edinburgh.
Ben Wild, who has spent most of his career in his native Manchester, said he has been rejuvenated after pursuing a childhood dream of living and working in Scotland’s capital.
The 22-year-old has landed lucrative contracts worth well into five figures just weeks after his move – all of which involve his trademark, hand-drawn illustrations or animations.
Among the new projects are an illustrated campaign for Adidas; art work for an app for diehard football fans, called FANoty, backed by investment from a footballing icon; and two upcoming advertising campaigns involving the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and BT Sport.
Wild, who now lives in Stockbridge, has also been commissioned to provide art direction for a major new software package being developed in the health sector, which will involve hundreds of anatomical drawings and illustrated videos.
“It’s been a whirlwind. I’ve loved my time in Manchester and it will always be my home city, but since visiting on holiday and doing some jobs in Edinburgh, I’ve wanted to move here,” he said.
“I love the city, but I also love Scotland. There is so much here that inspires me. Not only that, it really feels safe and now that I’m actually here it already feels like home.
“I didn’t have any doubts about making the move but even if had, those would have been dispelled by these new commissions the team have won. It really tells me that I’ve made exactly the right move.”
Wild’s success has seen him work with Pep Guardiola and the Spanish coach's galaxy of football stars at Manchester City, while his art has been featured regularly on the BBC.
His career started when he left school at 16 determined to make it as a portrait painter, but instead landed a role with a physio business.
After providing illustrations for brochures, he had his big break when he was commissioned to produce comic book illustrations for children undergoing difficult treatments That helped land him a job – on his 17th birthday – working in Madrid on a proposed virtual reality comic project.
Unfortunately, that never got off the ground, but it helped ease him into a two-year role with a media company, working on storyboards and animations.
Established during lockdown, Ben Wild Studios now works with freelancers and contractors around the world.
However, Wild plans to secure and open a dedicated studio space in Edinburgh in the near future.
He added: “Moving to Edinburgh is just the latest great thing to happen to me that has helped created this momentum.
"When things happen, like I get a call from New York and it’s the likes of Gucci, then I still have to pinch myself. I’m determined to stay grounded.”
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