Digital Design & Illustration Instructor

Location: John Harvard Library, Borough, Southwark, London

Hours: Approximately 2–3 hours per week during term time, including teaching and project development/preparation

Teaching: Wednesdays, 5:30pm–6:30pm

Rate: Up to £25 per hour, depending on experience

Travel: Travelling time and reasonable travel expenses will be covered

Contract: Freelance

Start: Wednesday 23 September 2026

Commitment: Minimum 6–12 months preferred

Students: Approximately 9–14 students, typically around 11 years old

About Ignite Hubs

Ignite Hubs is an award-winning education charity for children and young people. We inspire the next generation of STEM trailblazers, creative thinkers and digital innovators.

We particularly aim to reach girls, children, and young people from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds. Our vision is a future where technology and innovation are shaped by diverse minds, truly reflecting the world we live in.

We currently teach Coding, STEM, Maths and Creativity to around 200 students each week through online classes and in-person programmes delivered in libraries across Southwark, South East London.

The Role

We are launching a new Digital Design & Illustration programme at John Harvard Library and are looking for two creative and enthusiastic instructors to help us develop and deliver it.

Our approach is different from a traditional classroom. Students learn through hands-on creative projects, choosing activities that interest them and progressing at their own pace and level, with support from our instructors and volunteers.

The programme will initially have two learning areas:

Digital Design – using Canva as the main digital tool to explore graphic design, colour, typography, layout and visual communication through projects such as posters, logos, book covers, packaging and campaigns.

Illustration – using drawing, paper-based and digital activities to explore illustration, characters, comics, visual storytelling and other creative projects.

We are looking for two instructors with complementary strengths. You may have a stronger background in Digital Design or Illustration, or experience across both. You will primarily support one area but should be comfortable supporting the wider programme and covering for the other instructor when required.

Teaching & Term Schedule

Classes take place on Wednesdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Instructors will need to arrive at least 15 minutes before the session to help set up and stay around 15 minutes afterwards to help pack away. This time, along with reasonable travelling time and travel expenses, will be covered.

We run three terms each year, Autumn, Spring and Summer, with each term consisting of eight weekly sessions. The Autumn 2026 term begins on Wednesday 23rd September 2026.

What You'll Do

• Deliver engaging and creative weekly sessions for children and young people
• Support students to choose projects that interest them and progress at their own pace.
• Develop a bank of step-by-step creative projects at different levels of difficulty.
• Introduce creative concepts and techniques in an accessible and age-appropriate way.
• Encourage creativity, experimentation, problem-solving and individual expression.
• Connect projects to real-world applications and creative careers.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Strong skills and experience in Digital Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Visual Arts or a related creative field.
• Confidence using Canva and/or other relevant creative tools.
• A good understanding of fundamental design or illustration principles.
• Ability to turn creative skills and concepts into fun, practical projects for young people.
• Confidence engaging and supporting children with different abilities and levels of experience.
• Enthusiasm for helping young people develop their creativity and confidence.
• Reliable, organised and able to take ownership of preparing projects and sessions.

Desirable

• Experience teaching, tutoring, mentoring or working with children and young people in a formal or informal setting.
• Experience developing workshops, educational resources or project-based learning activities.
• Experience with additional creative tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Procreate or similar.

A formal teaching qualification is not required. We are equally interested in creative professionals who are enthusiastic about sharing their skills with young people.

Safeguarding

The successful candidates will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check and provide two references.

Why Join Ignite Hubs?

This is an opportunity to help shape a new creative programme from the beginning.

You'll work alongside another paid instructor and volunteers, giving students plenty of individual support while building a growing library of creative projects that can be used by future students.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a short cover letter answering:

• What do you bring to this role that would make it a success?

Please also indicate whether your experience is primarily in:

Digital Design | Illustration | Both

Please send your application to Careers@ignitehubs.org.uk with “Digital Design & Illustration Instructor” as the subject line.