Tom Duxbury whose work includes illustrating book covers for high profile writers such as Philip Pullman is the designer behind the Royal Mail’s 2023 Christmas stamps, the first set to bear the silhouette of HRM King Charles III.

Tom’s design of the festive stamps features popular Christmas carols, and draws lyrics from O Holy Night, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem and We Three Kings.

Tom’s former lecturer in the School of Art and Media, Roderick Mills said: “Tom’s work has traditional influences that inform his nostalgic visual language. At this time of year obviously the sense of Christmas’ past become pertinent for the public and the Royal Mail stamps.”

Roderick, who is also the leader of the Illustration programme at the School of Art and Media added: “The illustration course at Brighton has always encouraged individuality, both in the forms of work and a playfulness in the use of media within a critical framework to develop creative thinkers and makers in a studio practice.”

Tom’s illustration on the stamps will accompany thousands of festive cards and parcels – spreading cheer in the spirit of the season.

“In looking at our prestigious alumni there is a true depth of varying approaches and individual practices across analogue and digital techniques. This has always stood out in the work being produced year-by-year and is part of our ability to nurture confident image makers,” said Roderick.

As an accomplished illustrator, Tom has several titles to his name, having worked on several high-profile book covers including Philip Pullman’s Serpentine and The Collectors, as well as Sarah Ridgard’s Seldom Seen.

Find out about studying Illustration BA(Hons) at the University of Brighton.