Case studies: MA student in Children's Book Illustration: Edward

Edward did a BA in Illustration at Cambridge School of Art and is now studying for an MA in Children's Book Illustration at the same institution

In studying at Cambridge School of Art I have had a great insight into the world of illustration and in children's books.

In terms of my career ambitions, I would ultimately love to become a children's book author and/or illustrator - full time would be my biggest dream but it's a very competitive industry and so if I only managed to do the odd book here and there then I would be happy.

Writing and illustrating is the best thing in the world for me. I love going up to my room/studio with a cup of tea, turning on my music and getting down to work. I only ever feel happy being me when I'm working like that. To be able to sit down and lose yourself in your work is absolutely fantastic. I see the things that I create in my mind so clearly and I love the challenge of trying to put it all down on paper.

The most challenging part of illustrating is doing the best that you can do. Sometimes, as an artist, you can wake up having had a really good few days of work to find that you can't do anything. Sometimes, you can sit down expecting not to get anywhere instead to find that you plough through all the things you wanted to do without having to reach for white out or an eraser at all. I always get nervous before I start my projects, and deadlines give you that little adrenaline kick that pushes you on when you don't feel like you're getting anywhere.

One of the best things about illustrating is the freedom that you get from it. I find it a very relaxing thing to do and it can be quite therapeutic at times as well. It doesn't feel like work to me because I feel that it's who I am. I think the world would be a much happier place if everyone was able to do the things they feel passionate about and if I can make a career out of this then I will be a very happy man.

Making a career out of writing and illustrating isn't easy and, being at the very early stages of my career, I am expecting to see hundreds of rejections come my way. I think you're very lucky if you can afford to be a full-time artist but I know of lots of people from Cambridge School of Art who have gone on to be just that.

Find out what other people are doing and gain inspiration and encouragement from other people and other artists. Buy a copy of the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook . It's an annually released book with up-to-date information, guidance and details on making it into the publishing world and it has all sorts of valuable pieces of advice in it like lists of publishers and agents, etc.

Get yourself a website; there are many reasonably priced packages that allow you to build your own and you can contact companies that will build it for you according to your own designs. Websites are a great way of showcasing your best work and they are invaluable for potential clients. Get business cards printed - again, these can be done online - and they are great to send off or give to people.

Build up a portfolio of your best work that you can show people if you're out and about - you never know who you'll bump into. Also, always carry a notebook or a sketchpad with you.