Ben Kirchner

Ben Kirchner is a Senior Lecturer at the American University of Beirut (AUB), teaching on the MA Illustration course. He holds a BA (Hons) and is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). His professional work spans advertising, editorial, and children's books, with regular contributions to The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Notable projects include adaptations of classic tales like The Night Before Christmas (2023) and a cultural exchange in Guizhou Province documenting local customs and technology (2024).

• Awards: Multiple recognitions from American Illustration and Society of Illustrators.
• Representation: The Heart Agency (UK/International).

His research interests integrate professional illustration practice across media, focusing on character-driven narratives and vibrant visual storytelling. Recent work includes sports portraits for Bundesliga Magazine and political illustrations for The Economist and MSNBC.

• Grants/Projects: Cultural exchange in Guizhou (2024), ongoing collaborations with Adidas, ESPN, and Eight by Eight Magazine.
• Labs/Teams: Collaborates with agencies like Priest & Grace and Red Brick Road for national railcard campaigns.