Scott Nash Reflects on His Remarkable Career Marked by Curiosity, Experimentation, and Optimism

Blue Sky host Bill Burke first met Scott Nash nearly 30 years ago, when both were working in the cable television business. In the years since, Scott has gone on to a successful career in publishing, both as an illustrator and an author, and with his wife Nancy co-founded Illustration Institute on a small island in Maine. In this episode, Scott describes his outgoing, experimental, and optimistic nature and how these traits have led to his remarkable success in publishing, art direction, and non-profit entrepreneurship.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction & Early Childhood Scott shares that he moved nine times before second grade, which taught him to make new friends and thrive on connection, fueling his optimism and artistic development.

03:47 Education and Early Career Scott Nash discusses his education at the Swain School of Design and Cranbrook, an experimental school that shaped his playful approach to design.

09:05 Early Days of Cable TV Scott highlights how their 'handmade' approach to branding for networks like Nickelodeon, which included assigning the color orange and constantly changing logos, stood out in an industry that traditional executives weren't taking seriously.

14:20 The Flat Stanley Phenomenon Scott Nash discusses his work illustrating Flat Stanley, a book that became a widespread educational phenomenon due to teachers encouraging kids to create and mail their own Flat Stanley figures.

19:16 Illustrating vs. Writing Own Books Scott Nash reflects on the differences and joys of illustrating books for other authors, like Flat Stanley, versus writing and illustrating his own works, such as The High Skies Adventures of Blue Jay the Pirate.

23:05 Defining Illustration & Illustration Institute's Founding Scott Nash defines illustration as 'visual art that enhances a specific narrative,' encompassing comics, graphic novels, and even narrative pottery. He explains how his passion for academia and 'rogue schools' led him to establish the illustration department at Maine College of Art and, later, co-found the Illustration Institute.

31:19 Highlighting Illustrators & Their Impact Scott Nash shares his love for classic children's book illustrators like Garth Williams, known for Stuart Little and Homer Price, and Robert McCloskey, famous for Make Way for Ducklings. He recounts the emotional and intellectual impact of Illustration Institute's exhibitions, which showcase original works and highlight the often-uncredited illustrators behind beloved stories.

34:27 AI's Impact on Creativity and Authenticity Scott Nash discusses the cyclical nature of creative trends, noting a shift from highly creative, handmade works in the early days of cable to a more corporate, homogenized phase. He expresses critical optimism about AI, hoping it will spur a countertrend towards more authentic, handmade creations.

39:59 Ethical Concerns and Public Voice in AI Scott Nash expresses concern about the business-driven rush to implement AI without a clear ethical framework, fearing it could lead to low-quality content and potential harm if not properly regulated.

42:45 Future of Illustration Institute & Closing Scott Nash details the Illustration Institute's future plans, including developing traveling exhibitions for libraries across the country, such as 'The Great State of Illustration in Maine' and the ambitious 'Illustrious Saurus,' which explores dinosaur depictions from paleontology to fantasy. He emphasizes the institute's mission to highlight illustration's critical rigor and broad appeal, connecting Maine's artistic reach with global themes and sharing his childlike enthusiasm for storytelling.