Longtime Alta Journal illustrator Mark Smith has been recognized by the Association of Illustrators in its World Illustration Awards competition for his evocative, moving work in Issue 26.
Smith’s batch of classic Disney–meets–true crime illustrations were named Professional Overall winner and took top honors in the Professional Editorial category. Smith’s vivid drawings of the investigation into the disappearance of original Mouseketeer Dennis Day accompanied “The Missing Mouseketeer,” Ruby McConnell’s story about Day’s life and death.
“From the moment I read the story, I knew it was perfect for Mark,” says Alta creative director John Goecke. “He’s wonderful at telling a visual narrative of a story that doesn’t just repeat what’s in it but adds to the overall package.”
The AOI (in partnership with the Directory of Illustration) chose Smith’s work and that of his fellow winners from over 5,000 entries from 75 countries.
“This is probably the biggest accolade I’ve ever received for my work and I couldn’t be happier that this series won it,” Smith wrote in an Instagram post. “On a few occasions in the past I’ve had jobs where I feel like I’ve taken a tiny step forward, or maybe just got a little bit closer to the kind of communication I’ve been striving for, it’s not really something I’ve ever been able to put my finger on but this was one of those jobs.”
Smith’s work with Alta has also been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, the Los Angeles Press Club, and the Society of Publication Designers and has been short-listed for the V&A Illustration Awards.•
