2026 Illustrators' Intensive: Interview with Cecilia Yung

For our next blog post, I'm so pleased that we are joined by the fantastic, Cecilia Yung, the former Executive Art Director and Vice President at Penguin Random House, who will be answering some of your questions about the upcoming 2026 Illustrators' Intensive! 

When I attended my first In-Person Conference in 2021, I took part of Cecilia's session, and I still revisit those notes today! I'm so thankful to Cecilia for joining us here on the Official SCBWI blog, and am excited to share her insights!

1. Though you do not need any introduction, being a brilliant leader and advocate for children's literature and art, would you please tell us a little about yourself and your role within SCBWI.

I’ve been working in children’s book publishing since 1980 and I recently retired after working as art director at Penguin Random House for 30 years. I’ve been on the Advisory Council of SCBWI since 2004 and I’m still working with the Illustrator Committee to plan programs for illustrators.


2. What make the SCBWI Illustrators' Intensive different/ unique compared to other intensives and workshops?

Many workshops target entry level illustrators and introduce picture book illustration as a template. SCBWI Illustrators’ Intensives address the needs of working early and mid-career illustrators, and our programs deconstruct the multi-faceted craft of visual storytelling by deep diving into specific issues, one topic at a time. At every Intensive, we invite a number of distinguished illustrators with distinctly different styles to contrast their process and solutions. The multiple viewpoints give an illustrator a range of tips and tools, but also provide a context for their own work and encourage them to fine-tune their true voice using their personal set of tools in a real world setting.


3. How does the Illustrators' Intensive help develop the artistic voice and professional readiness of the participating illustrators? 

Outside of an academic setting, there are few places for a professional to continue to develop and grow. The Intensive is an information gathering opportunity for a working illustrator looking to up their game. They will be surprised and inspired to see that established professionals also need to find ways to challenge themselves regularly and find exciting solutions. The Intensive might show them new ways to use the skills and tools they already have, but they might be prompted to experiment with ideas they had not previously considered. The goal is for everyone to personalize the new-found information and insights to create artwork that serves their story but is also true to their own vision.


4. What aspects of this intensive do you think will challenge the participants the most...in a good way?

In the process of creating a picture book, even the most experienced illustrator is likely to get stumped by some aspects of it, and it’s not unusual for that to happen in an intensive as well. An illustrator seeing their own work in this setting may be intimidated by their peers, or feel overwhelmed by the options, or realize that their skills may not be adequate for the task. It's helpful to know that self-doubt is ever-present in a lifetime of creative work, and is a necessary engine of growth. The best way to deal with doubt is to find the right place to ask questions, explore answers, and find a way through. The Intensive is such a place.


5. What message would you give to an artist who maybe unsure about attending the Illustrator's Intensive?

Come join us for the information and inspiration, and stay for the community. You will need all of it in your illustration career.

Cecilia Yung

Art Director, Illustrator

About

Cecilia Yung is the former Executive Art Director and Vice President at Penguin Random House where she was responsible for illustration and design for two imprints, G. P. Putnam's Sons and Nancy Paulsen Books. Over four decades in the industry, she is fortunate to have worked with some of the major illustrators of children’s books, but the highlight of her work is to discover and develop new talent. She is on the Advisory Council of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) as well as a member of its Illustrators Committee.

ACTION! Harnessing the Visual Energy of Movement

An Intensive for Illustrators, Friday, January 16th

Movement is the key that unlocks the themes, narratives, and emotions of an illustrated book. Visual stories rely on movement to bring characters to life, introduce change in static scenes, drive the engine of the narrative, and propel the reader to the visual climax. In individual scenes, motion can reveal characters’ personalities, articulate body language, and fuel the energy of the moment. But how do we achieve that in a two-dimensional medium like a book? Four noted illustrators will show us their unique ways of harnessing motion effectively and dramatically without the benefit of animation, sound, or dimension. Join us to learn how they bring their stories to life and make it look effortless.