American Illustration 37

The year's most compelling images presented in a hardcover, die-cut, exposed Swiss bound, gilded book. 365 jury-selected images on 384 pages.

AI37: Gender pay gaps taint the workplace worldwide. According to media reports, the gender pay gap in the United States ranges from 18 to 20 percent, with a global average of 17 percent. This seeming immutable disparity is reflected in the image layout of AI37.

The book's concept, stated above, is an attempt to bring attention graphically to the truth of this important social and economincal matter, showing what income disparity looks like through the layout of the images. The response has been mixed, rightly so, from kudos to diappointment to outrage. In doing so, to some, we've in turn alienated and marginalized those we were trying to support, and for this we are truly sorry. 

American Illustration prides itself in producing beautifully designed books that showcase the winning collections and push the boundaries of what a book can be. As we say, the books are “objects of beauty and debate,” since we like to encourage the artists and designers to see how far they can go each year in their work.

The conversations that have resulted from this year’s AI37 book are complex, insightful, well-founded and have brought up a diverse range of opinions and important topics. We hear you, and understand the value and urgency of representation, identity, and inclusion. We will do better to reflect these important ideas in future editions by not only continuing to define our criteria for what makes an impactful and compelling image, but as importantly, by carefully considering how we present those images.

AI remains committed to letting the art speak for itself. Each voice standing equally and firmly within the collection, in service to the artist's intent and vision.