You’ve probably seen Adam Bosley’s posters and illustrations across social media – or maybe even pasted up on a wall in your city. They’re typically a welcome sight, both because they’re vibrant and whimsical and because they’re always wholesome! In his work, Adam – known online as Adam, The Illustrator – often celebrates themes of friendship, mental health, and creative exploration. Coming across his work is like encountering a warm smile from a friend.
Because of that emphasis in his work – and because he’s a longtime Wacom Intuos Pro user – we wanted to know what he thought of the new Wacom Intuos Pro line. And because it’s National Mental Health Awareness month, we also wanted to chat with him about his background, his work, and why he’s chosen to focus on cultivating such positive vibes. An interview with him as well as his review are below; the interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
You didn’t originally go to college for art or design. How did you end up finding and choosing that path? What did you end up majoring in?
I sort of stumbled upon graphic design, and didn’t really know much about it. It started when one of the Education Program teachers saw me in class messing around with a presentation, and asked me if I was ever interested in design. I actually had to google what that was! And, let’s just say, the rest is history. I ended up graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. My work was not great! [*laughs*] But I really enjoyed drawing fun characters.
The educational landscape has changed quite a bit since you were in school. Do you have thoughts about art school or college in general, or advice for young folks who are trying to decide what to do about school?
Is school needed to land a job? I don’t think so. I got my first design job eight years after graduating, and it was strictly based on my portfolio. The thing I do love about school is the friendships you make and the community you build. One of my best friends to this day is from university, and I wouldn’t change that experience for anything.
You worked at a design agency, but later moved on to illustration and freelancing. What are some of the pros and cons of each approach? Why did you decide to go full-time freelance?
So I actually always just enjoyed drawing fun stuff. I actually graduated in 2011, but didn’t land my first design job until 2019. I enjoyed the teamwork environment at the agency I worked with, and I learned a lot there – like, how to work quicker and smarter. But I didn’t always love the work I was doing. I love working freelance because I get to work from home and I get to pick and choose the opportunities I want to work on. The team aspect is something I truly miss, though.
I didn’t really decide to go freelance, it sort of just happened! In 2020, we all got laid off from the agency I was working at during the COVID-19 pandemic. I applied for unemployment insurance, and while applying for jobs I started developing my illustration style. At the end of 2020, my unemployment insurance ran out – but I was fortunate enough to lock down a project for 3 months and I haven’t looked back since.
These days you have a very distinct style, voice, and subject matter. How did you get there? Do you have any advice for creative young folks who aren’t sure what they want to do, whether that’s school, what kind of career to have, or even trying to focus on a particular artistic discipline or style?
Developing my style and approach took a lot of time and practice. From 2011 to 2020, I was just drawing whatever I wanted. I love hip-hop and basketball, and drew a lot of basketball players, shoes, and so on. I flipped through styles, but looking back that work really helped me develop the style you see today.
In 2020, that’s when things changed and I started developing these cute characters I’m known for now. It all started with a fun How To Guide (called How to Give Yourself a Bowl Cut) I made during the pandemic, and it evolved from there. The tone of voice all sort of came together from just trying to boost myself and keep myself on track. Positive self-talk stuff!
For young creatives, I would say this: Explore different styles, but design the stuff you want to design. For example, if you want to work in sports, design sport-related graphics! I ultimately just think putting in the time and effort will get you to where you want to be. Style will develop over time.
You’ve been using Wacom products for over a decade. Why do you stick with Wacom?
A Wacom tablet was the first tablet I ever got, in 2012, and I believe it was the Bamboo model. I kept it in the box for months, but then one day I pulled it out and just started scribbling. Now, I don’t even really know how to use a mouse! I just really enjoy it. It feels like I’m drawing and I prefer that to the mouse. Currently, I’m switching between the latest Wacom Intuos Pro and last year’s model – I really like the touch feature! Aside from the Wacom tablet, I use Adobe Illustrator daily, a MacBook Pro M3 Max, a 32” LG monitor, and I use a Lacie 1TB hard drive.
You’re known for your positive, wholesome posters and illustrations. Why is this important to you, and why do you think this type of work has resonated so well with audiences? Do you have a favorite “phrase” or “tagline” you’ve come up with for one of your posters that has been personally significant for you?
They’ve sort of served as reminders to myself to keep going, and that things will be okay. I guess we all just need a little reminder that even though there’s a lot of terrible things happening in the world, we’re going to get through it together!
I think I have two favorites. The first is “You matter a lot … like, a lot a lot.” Sometimes, we forget that we matter; we get lost in the sauce. We compare too much, and we think we our life is less significant than someone else’s. I just want to remind people that they truly matter.
The second one is “It’s not luck, you’re meant to be here.” This one is for the designers, or the people who are in places that are new but are where they’ve always dreamed of being. Myself included! We sometimes feel like, “why am I here? I’m not good enough to be here. But you are there, and that means something! We need to start owning it, and instead of saying “why am I here,” change the narrative to “I’m meant to be here.” Hard work pays off!
Do you have any advice for other creatives, especially young artists, who are struggling with burnout, lack of motivation, or mental health challenges?
I think I’m going to answer in three ways.
For burnout: take a break! Go for a walk, see some friends or family, create something just for you. For a lack of motivation: something that works for me is just getting to my computer and getting started. Even if it’s just tweaking an old illustration. I like to do that, and then I think the ball sort of just starts rolling.For people experiencing mental health challenges: talk to your friends and family. If that’s not working, I definitely suggest talking to a licensed professional.
I saw that you created your first ever toy based on your heart character. How did that come about? Do you have any other new products or projects coming up that we should keep an eye out for?
Yes! I absolutely love that toy, and I’m working on making a limited run of them dropping soon. Womp3D actually reached out to me, and we made that toy happen together – so shout out Womp3D!
I’m currently working on a plushie of my cloud character holding a flower, and I’m manifesting an art show. And lastly, I illustrated some assets for my friend’s ice cream truck (Ruru Baked) that will be out and about in Toronto all summer. Stay tuned for the process video!
Adam The Illustrator is a Toronto-based illustrator and graphic designer renowned for his vibrant, bold, and whimsical artwork. With a focus on playful energy, he celebrates themes of friendship, mental health, and the journey of creative exploration. His commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing inspires others to unlock their own creative potential.
