Simon Bailly

Simon Bailly is our illustrator from Lyon. Since graduating from the École Supérieure d'Art de Lorraine in 2015, he has worked for international publishers and companies.

Simon draws inspiration from Hergé’s comic book world and 1970s French cinema. He illustrates regularly for French newspaper Libération with his subtle humor. Among his clients are also Hermès Paris, The New York Times, LA Times, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Wirtschaftswoche as well as publishing houses for children’s books. Simon likes to set his personal work in retro science fiction worlds. This inspires music bands for a collaboration with Simon for new album covers.

Beside his editorial work we asked him some questions:

Where are you from?
Gien – in the middle of the France. Currently I live in Lyon, the city of cooking. I’m a graduate from Esal Epinal, a French art school.

Describe your work.
Everyday I use a pen and ink, and I do my colors on photoshop, but I also like to use different techniques for experiment. I am inspirated by Tomi Ungerer, Hergé, Steinberg, Saul Bass, Sempé, Bloch, Joost Swarte, 70’s french cinema (Audiard, Blier ...), the russian graphism of 20’s ...

How do you differ from your idols?
I think the difference is the age. All of my idols are old or dead. I’ve no answers for this question. I think I’m just someone, who wants to draw all the time.

What is your goal as an illustrator?
(...) I think that I would like inspire peoples with books or story. And one day, I would love to work for movie posters.

What do you like to draw?
I love drawing the jungle, with many details, and the city, with many details too, and the 70’s furniture.

Anything else that is important for you?
Bread, cheese and red wine :) I just want to work on various topics. I like to learn in work, and I think it’s important, when you work with your passion, to not to get bored.

Clients

Brand eins, The New Yorker, Libération, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Financial Times Weekend Magazine, Hermès, Monocle, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Zeitverlag, Internazionale Kids, Kiblind, MUBI, Paris 2024, Les Inrocks, Le 1, Zadig, L'Express, Revue XXI, Revue Dessinée, Les Echos, L'Eléphant, Topo, Bayard, France Inter, BETC, Helium, Actes Sud, L'agrume, Milan

All Projects