The weekly routine turned out to be a useful discipline, fitted in between lectures for his Bachelor of Arts in English and Politics. It was at Salient that he first worked on non-fiction comic journalism, exploring topics such as Wellington’s music scene.
“I don’t think it was immediately obvious that English and Politics would come in handy as an illustrator, but these days I definitely draw on that,” he says.
“I think it’s worth remembering that having ideas and being able to analyse, understand, and engage with the world is a super valuable skill in itself. There are so many important conversations going on right now, and someone with an arts background is well placed to be involved.”
After leaving university, Toby had design jobs in Melbourne and Amsterdam, all the time honing his own illustration and comic work. On returning to New Zealand, he joined RNZ’s former youth channel The Wireless, which had a remit to do things differently. He began a series called The Pencilsword—animated comic strips that explored social issues such as inequality and the housing crisis. He later collaborated with writer Toby Manhire, and that connection saw him eventually join The Spinoff, where Toby Manhire was political editor.
“I don’t think it was immediately obvious that English and Politics would come in handy as an illustrator, but these days I definitely draw on that.”
This year has been busier than usual. Toby has collaborated with science educator Dr Siouxsie Wiles, contributing graphics and animations to go alongside her words and help explain the science behind COVID-19. These articles, published by The Spinoff, helped people understand how the virus was spreading and concepts such as bubbles and physical distancing.
Toby’s illustrations were popular from the beginning. A highlight was seeing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hold one up at a media conference on a day when Toby and most of the country was glued to the television for the latest COVID-19 update.
People at the World Health Organization (WHO) also saw the work and contacted The Spinoff. Now a small team led by Toby is part of a worldwide network of designers and animators servicing WHO’s huge demand for infographics. Several months into the contract, Toby is still in awe of the scale and reach of the work, as some of their animated videos get more than 20 million hits.
“It could only happen in these days when everyone is so connected online,” says Toby. “I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity. It still feels quite surreal.”