A New Automata Designer

We have been asked to promote a newcomer to the world of automata design so I have asked Sophie to introduce herself.
I also need to try and get better with updating the blog, I will put it on my 2010 resolutions list!!


I'm Sophie Catherine Naylor and I'm an Illustrator and Automatist based in Derbyshire in the UK. I graduated from Loughborough University, in 2009, with a BA Hons in Illustration and Animation. In my final year I was able to experiment and specialise In automaton. I take inspiration from British Culture, historical inventions, gadgetry, contraptions, and nostalgic eras. My automata's depict British ness, in a eccentric, quirky, humorous context. These automata's are created from a wide range of materials, of which roughly 90% are recycled from house hold waste. I enjoy taking disused materials, old clock parts, beer cans, scrap wood and transforming them into something beautiful, and contextually engaging.Over the past few years, I have had illustrations of classic cars published in various MG magazines.In 2008 I was commissioned by Martins World Group in collaboration with the Norwegian Tourist Board to produce a illustration of a Lynx on location, while being filmed. The footage was edited into a DVD, with Chris Tarant as the presenter.The DVD is part of a tourist information package. Christmas 2008 I was awarded a merit within the American 3x3 Illustration Competition, my winning entry "Go Organic, Plop 'N' Grow" automata will be published in the 3x3 Illustration Annual No.6.Spring 2009 I was one of six finalists to get through to the Northern Design Competition, where my entry of the Worthing Birdman automata, was exhibited in the city of Leeds at the Rose Bowl.
Autumn 2009, my automata's will be featured on ITV Central News as part of a cultural series. -
Sophie Naylor http://www.sophienaylor.co.uk/