Meet Your Instructor: ITSme Creative and Course Director Bhavi Patel

Meet one of our instructors for the Character Study Intensive course, Bhavi Patel! Bhavi started as an agent with Advocate Art, working with clients in the book publishing industry for over five years. She is now the art director of Advocate Art as well as our Learning course director. While Bhavi still works with some clients in the publishing and greeting card industries, she also assists us with developing these courses.

Q- What is your #1 tip for developing character design?
A- A good character design is formed not just by how your character looks, but through their personality and ability to connect with the reader. Think about what makes your character special and incorporate these elements into your design to create a magical character. If you’re working on a live brief, it’s important to fully understand the manuscript and what the author’s vision is, as this will play a kay role in what makes a character design stand out.

Q- What are some of your favorite projects that you have agented?
A- Some of my favorite projects since joining Advocate Art include, Christmas from Around the World, illustrated by Claire McElfatrick for Gibsons Games which was featured on ITV’s This Morning, and Growing up Black in Britain written by Stuart Lawrence and illustrated by Simone Douglas for Scholastic, which was listed as a Key Read for Black History month in the UK 2022.

Q- What is your illustration/ art background?
A- I have a 1st Class Honors Degree in Illustration from the University of Portsmouth, and before joining Advocate Art, I worked at the Royal Academy of Art as an Exhibitions & Art Sales Coordinator.

Q- What do you like to do in your free time?
A- I am a very active person, I love to exercise, do yoga, read, and travel. I also love food, so when I’m home you’ll most likely find me in the kitchen.

Learn more about the Character Study Intensive and our other course offerings here.