Hi! I’m Amber Griffiths
This is my illustration portfolio site. I mostly work on environmental and social topics. I have an academic and applied background in science, and more recently in illustration and design. It is the blend of these that forms the basis of my work.
I use illustration to shine a spotlight on this strange, beautiful, difficult world - tell the stories that aren’t told, highlight the unseen, while never shying away from complexity. I feel a particular affinity with printmaking - the complicated protocols and possibilities for experimentation echo my previous life in genetics labs.
I also run a research, design and development studio called Then Try This, and you can find my academic papers here.
Clients include: Natural History Museum (London), University College London, Oxford University, Eden Project, Deutsches Museum (Munich), ZSL London Zoo, Rothamsted Research, University of Bath, University of Edinburgh, Cornwall Council, and many others.
Illustration commissions
If you’re interested in having some illustrations made, I now take commissions on a freelance basis.
I’m not keen on how illustration commissioning fees and contracts usually work as they aren’t good for the clients - you will own the images and can use them however you like (as long as its ethical).
Project types and day rates:
Illustration only projects - day rate £352 or an agreed fixed amount, freelance, no VAT.
More complex projects e.g. involving scientific research or technical development - these fall under my studio Then Try This - day rate £650 or an agreed fixed amount, plus VAT if it’s service provision, and no VAT if it’s a grant funded collaboration (I can advise on the tedious VAT rules for all major UK research funders and Horizon Europe).
After an initial chat to understand what you’re after, I’ll let you know a couple of options and how long I think each will take.
In both cases I’ll only take on projects I feel are ok ethically - nothing extractive, nothing linked to fossil fuels, nothing hateful or discriminatory, and I won’t help sell pointless things that will end up as landfill. You can read more about Then Try This ethics here. Just get in touch if you’re unsure!
More of a CV style bio:
I’m currently working on my Masters in Illustration: Authorial Practice (2024-2026) - this is a whole new world as previously I did a BSc in Biology (2003), MRes in Animal Science (2005), a PhD in wildlife genetics (2008) and a Docentship in ecological genetics (2011). I’ve published in academic journals covering topics from climate impacts and genomics, to data visualisation and sound art, finding hopping between and merging disciplines a natural and fun place to be. I’ve won two major research fellowships (Academy of Finland, and EU Marie Curie) and held a permanent lectureship in ‘Natural Environment’ at the Environment and Sustainability Institute (University of Exeter, 2012-2014), supervising three PhD students to completion and teaching on science in society (including climate change politics and denial). I also worked at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology translating science for politicians, held associate editor positions and reviewed I-don’t-want-to-know-how-many papers in scientific journals. Since founding my research, design and development studio Then Try This in 2014, I’ve delivered numerous commissions for major international visitor attractions like the Deutsches Museum (Munich), Natural History Museum (London) and Eden Project (Cornwall), and universities are also regular clients. I’ve held several funding panel positions (including panel chairing) on interdisciplinary and public engagement calls for UKRI, as well as advisory and evaluation roles for charities and galleries. Now though, I’m putting my own more personal illustration work out into the world, which is far scarier than any of the above.
Some recent exhibitions:
2026 Cornwall Museum, Framed Exhibition - ‘‘Perspectives on Existence’, a trio of wood engravings.
2025 The Poly, Falmouth, Member’s Exhibition - ‘Pushing and Pulling at the Fabric of Life’, a pair of soft-ground etchings, made on zinc plates cut on a CNC machine, with aquatint gradients, and chine collé figures.
2025 Royal Society Disability in Technology report launch event - Nergal game for people with visual impairments.
2025 Royal Society Summer Exhibition - Nergal game.
2025 Lovepark, Falmouth - ‘Communicating our Changing World’, a series of six prints including embossing, and printed fabric.