Job Description
Now Hiring: Design Assistant - Illustration
ONELAB | East London | Freelance, Term Time Only
Draw Stories. Spark Change. Make the Invisible Seen.
At ONELAB, we believe illustration is more than image making. It is a way of seeing, feeling, and reimagining the world. We are not your typical college, and this is not your typical assistant role.
We are a creative college for young people aged 16 to 25 with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), based in Tower Hamlets. Many of our learners arrive having been underestimated — dismissed before anyone truly tried to understand them. ONELAB is our bold response to that. An inclusive, human centred, radically creative space where young people are seen, heard and supported not just to learn, but to transform.
We are now looking for a Design Assistant - Illustration who is as passionate about young people as they are about drawing, mark making, visual storytelling, and exploring what illustration can be.
🎯 The Role
This is a live, hands on, in person position. You will not be stuck behind a screen tweaking layouts. You will be in the mix — sketching with learners, building trust through creativity, and helping them express things they cannot always say with words.
You will support learners in developing their own visual language, translating ideas into powerful images, and producing work that contributes to their UAL qualifications. You will also help us bring the ONELAB world to life through illustrated zines, murals, storyboards, digital comics, posters, characters and more.
We do not care if you draw perfectly. We care if you are fearless, curious, and ready to help young people see that their voice matters — especially on paper.
✨ What You Will Be Doing
* Support learners in building illustrated projects, sketchbooks and visual narratives for their portfolios and coursework (UAL qualifications).
* Co-create campaign visuals, event illustrations and storytelling pieces that reflect the raw, real and radical energy of ONELAB.
* Help learners explore tools like Procreate, pencils, ink, collage — whatever gets the idea out.
* Work across physical and digital formats from rough storyboards to polished character art, from classroom doodles to public facing pieces.
* Contribute to a creative space where learners feel safe to take risks, make mess and make meaning.
🧠 What You Bring
* A vibrant illustration portfolio that shows your range, imagination and passion for storytelling.
* Confidence in digital illustration tools such as Procreate, Illustrator, Photoshop or traditional media.
* A collaborative, down to earth presence — you know how to support without taking over.
* Experience or genuine interest in inclusive, accessible or youth centred creative work.
* Comfortable working onsite every day and committed to building trust and relationships through creative presence.
Bonus if you have
* Experience in SEND, community arts or alternative education.
* Worked with comics, zines, narrative art, animation or sequential storytelling.
📌 The Essentials
* Contract type: Freelance
* Schedule: Monday to Friday, Term Time Only
* Location: Tower Hamlets, East London
* Proposed Start date: 20 August 2025
💥 Why ONELAB?
* Join a radical rethink of education powered by creativity, empathy and real world learning.
* Work closely with young people who are reshaping what creativity looks and feels like.
* Collaborate with a team of designers, educators and illustrators who care deeply about equity and change.
* Make visible, lasting impact in both the work and the lives of the people you support.
* Be yourself. Bring your pencils. Leave the ego.
🎤 How to Apply
If you are an illustrator who believes pictures can speak when words fall short — and if you are ready to help young people unlock their creative voice — we want to meet you.
Deadline: 21 July 2025
Interviews: Rolling
Come sketch a new kind of education with us.
Come draw a different future.
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