The Association Of Illustrators

Name

The Association Of Illustrators

Legal name

The Association of Illustrators Limited

Website

https://theaoi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Creator Merchandise & Print-on-Demand Platforms (MPACAFAE)

Keywords

• Illustration membership services
• Creative industry advocacy
• Professional association services
• Portfolio hosting platform
• Illustration competition events

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual and monthly membership subscriptions providing access to resources, advice, discounts, and community benefits. Fees are paid online as lump sum or via monthly Direct Debit installments. Different tiers exist for individuals (including student and under-25 discounts), and organizations.
2. Product Sales: Sale of publications including Varoom magazine (one-off and subscription), books, client directories in PDF format, and event recordings.
3. Event Tickets: Revenue from ticketed events including workshops, talks, and meet-ups. Some events are free while others have paid admission, with member discounts available.
4. Competition Entries: Entry fees for the World Illustration Awards competition, with discounted rates for AOI members.
5. Consultations: Paid consultation services for members including accountancy consultations and portfolio consultations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Association of Illustrators (AOI) is a non-profit membership organisation that provides contract and business support, advocacy, and resources for illustrators and animators. Its core commercial offering is annual membership (individual and organisation tiers) bundled with contract review, a pricing calculator, consultations, portfolio hosting via AOI Folios, member discounts, and access to community resources. It also runs the World Illustration Awards, local meet-ups, events, mentorship, publications (Varoom magazine and books), client directories, and a campaigning programme on issues including AI, copyright, and fair terms.

Product overview

The Association of Illustrators (AOI) is a professional membership organisation offering a platform-plus-services model. Its core offering is annual membership (Individual and Organisation tiers) providing contract and business support, a 20-image online Folio portfolio, access to the Helpdesk, and member discounts. Key products and programmes include the World Illustration Awards (WIA) — an annual international competition in partnership with the Directory of Illustration — events and meet-ups (local groups across the UK and internationally plus online), Inside Illustration (a seasonal content series with podcast and courses), the Illustration Pricing Survey, and a Mentorship Scheme. The AOI also sells supplementary products: Client Directories (PDF), Varoom magazine, and printed Publications. The AOI advocates for illustrators through Campaigns on issues including AI, copyright, fair terms, and pricing, and lobbies the UK government for legislative change.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AOI Membership Annual subscription providing individual illustrators and animators with contract and business support, including helpdesk access, contract review service, template contracts, pricing calculator, consultations, discounts, and access to member-only resources.
• AOI Folios Online portfolio platform for members to showcase illustration work. Members receive a 20-image AOI Folio; higher-tier members additionally receive a 10-image portfolio promoted via the Directory of Illustration (USA).
• World Illustration Awards (WIA) Annual international illustration competition presented by the AOI in partnership with the Directory of Illustration. Includes entry categories, self-promotional tools, networking events, touring exhibition, and discounted entry for AOI members.
• Events and Tickets Programme of workshops, talks, meet-ups, exhibitions and fairs organised and ticketed by the AOI, with member discounts and third-party event listings.
• AOI Meet Ups Facilitated local meet-up groups for illustrators across UK cities and internationally, plus online groups, offered in both in-person and online formats.
• Inside Illustration Seasonal content series delivering podcasts, courses, articles, resources, interviews and 'How To' guides covering topics such as animation, business practice, and creative careers, with some content members-only.
• Varoom Magazine Industry magazine covering illustration news, interviews, and features, available as a one-off purchase or subscription through the AOI shop.
• AOI Publications Hard-copy books and printed publications on topics such as pricing, contracts, business practice, and copyright, sold via the AOI shop.
• Client Directories PDF-format directories listing commissioning clients and their contact details for illustrators, delivered by email after purchase.
• Consultations One-to-one paid advice services, including a 1-hour consultation with an accountant for members and professional practice consultations available for purchase.
• Illustration Pricing Survey Annual survey providing overview of average fees achieved by UK-based illustration agencies for various commission types; members-only resource.
• AOI Mentorship Scheme Annual mentorship programme pairing AOI members with experienced mentors for career guidance and professional development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Contract and business support to illustrators
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Association of PhotographersminorOthers · 30 January 2026Partnership in coalition of UK creative industry organizations lobbying for AI regulation. The AOI joined with Association of Photographers, Society of Musicians, Society of Authors, and Equity to release joint report calling for CLEAR framework regulating generative AI.
• Society of AuthorsminorOthers · 30 January 2026Partnership in coalition of UK creative industry organizations lobbying for AI regulation. Joint report released calling for CLEAR regulatory framework requiring consent, licensing, ethical data use, accountability, and remuneration from AI companies.
• Society of MusiciansminorOthers · 30 January 2026Partnership in coalition of UK creative industry organizations lobbying for AI regulation.
• EquityminorOthers · 30 January 2026Partnership in coalition of UK creative industry organizations lobbying for AI regulation.
• Directory of Illustration (DoI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Directory of Illustration is a US-based organization that partners with AOI on the World Illustration Awards. Members with Folio access receive reciprocal promotion through DoI's online directory. This partnership provides international exposure for AOI members and is a key benefit of membership.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Illustrators Australia: Australian illustrator association offering portfolio hosting, awards, advocacy, and community - effectively the ANZ counterpart to AOI for the same illustrator persona.
• DACS (Design and Artists Copyright Society): UK not-for-profit collecting and rights agency for visual artists and illustrators. Directly adjacent to AOI in mission - copyright protection and creator remuneration - and a relevant functional peer for the same membership base.
• Association of Photographers (AOP): UK membership association for photographers with similar advocacy, contract review, and member services model. AOI's explicit coalition partner in the 2026 AI policy push, making it a near-direct structural peer.
• Society of Illustrators (NYC): US-based trade association for illustrators, founded in 1901. Closest international parallel to AOI in mission (advocacy, exhibitions, portfolio support) and membership-based operating model.

Broad incumbents

• D&AD (Design and Art Direction): UK creative professional body running the well-known awards competition and offering training and member resources. Comparable awards-plus-membership model aimed at the broader creative/crafts audience.
• Society of Authors: Larger UK membership body for writers, with analogous advocacy, contract advice, and lobbying functions. Coalition partner with AOI on AI regulation and operates the same general professional-association model.
• Royal Society of Arts (RSA): Long-established UK fellowship and advocacy body (est. 1754) covering creative professionals and broader policy influence. Analogous non-profit, member-driven operating model at greater scale and remit than AOI.
• AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts): US design association with a broader visual-communication remit. Comparable professional-association operating model (membership, awards, advocacy) but covers the entire design discipline rather than just illustration.
• Incorporated Society of Musicians: UK professional body for musicians offering contract advice, advocacy, and member services. Coalition partner with AOI on AI regulation and comparable in membership-association economics.
• Equity (British actors' union): UK trade union for performers with similar advocacy and contract-negotiation remit. Coalition partner with AOI in the January 2026 AI policy report, indicating overlapping stakeholder approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@theassociationofillustrators
• Facebookfacebook.com/theaoi

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Association Of Illustrators