Art was always Eleanor Hardiman's (2005-2012) favourite subject at school, so she had no hesitation in heading straight to Oxford Brookes in 2012 to study an Art Foundation course. She hasn't looked back since, from there Eleanor spent three years at Falmouth University focusing on illustration giving her an in-depth insight into the industry and the opportunity for portfolio reviews for clients in London, New York and Bologna. 

Once she left university, it was a balancing act between starting a freelance illustration business, working part-time in retail and basing herself back in the family home. It was during that time she secured her first commissions in small magazines and publishing and decided to move to the south-west and locate herself in Bristol. 

Luckily for Eleanor, part of her University course included guidance on starting and running your own business, and as she freely admits, building this is ongoing and requires plenty of research and support. She currently has her website and combines her freelance practice with being a Book Cover Designer for a publisher, working with international clients on a mixture of books, packaging and editorial illustration. Always looking for new avenues to expand the business, Eleanor also offers an online shop for prints and ceramics. 

Next, her sights are on illustrating for children's books, and she would love to take up an artist in residency. To view some of Eleanor'work, please visit www.eleanorhardiman.co.uk.