Adi Granov, a leading illustrator and concept designer who works on the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Marvel Studios and for Marvel comics, is set to receive an honorary Master of Arts degree from Leeds Arts University.
Originally from Bosnia, Adi Granov is most notable for his work on the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Marvel Studios and also for Marvel comics. He moved to the United States with his family before eventually making his home in Ilkley, Yorkshire. Adi trained in the fine arts and computer graphics, and started his career as an editorial illustrator and a concept artist at Nintendo.
Image: Courtesy of Adi Granov
Adi illustrated the seminal Iron Man: Extremis graphic novel which inspired the Iron Man movies and helped kick start the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He served as a conceptual illustrator on the Iron Man films, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, and Endgame as well as Black Panther 1 and 2, designing characters and creating key frame illustrations. He has designed and illustrated for video games including Spiderman PS4 and Iron Man VR, and illustrated countless covers and illustrations for most of their roster of characters, from Avengers to the X-Men, as well as helping launch the Marvel Star Wars comics, most notably with covers for the Darth Vader series and the original trilogy books.
Adi Granov said: "Art is challenging, can be frustrating, and is also immensely rewarding and beautiful. I have dedicated my life to it, so I am very honoured to be receiving the award, but even more so to be a small part in the journey of the artists embarking on their new careers and the pursuit to make the world a better place."
Professor Simone Wonnacott, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Arts University said: "We are honoured to present this year’s honorary Master of Arts degree to Adi Granov. As our first cohort of illustrators, graphic novelists and creature designers graduate from their master’s degrees I hope they will be inspired by Adi’s achievements in their fields. With an international reputation and leading roles for household names such as Marvel he is an inspiring example of where a career in the arts can lead.”
Image: Courtesy of Adi Granov
Professor Simone Wonnacott, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Arts University said: "We are honoured to present this year’s honorary Master of Arts degree to Adi Granov. As our first cohort of illustrators, graphic novelists and creature designers graduate from their master’s degrees I hope they will be inspired by Adi’s achievements in their fields. With an international reputation and leading roles for household names such as Marvel he is an inspiring example of where a career in the arts can lead.”
Adi Granov will be recognised by Leeds Arts University during a graduation ceremony at the University on Thursday 25 November. This year’s graduation ceremony also coincides with the launch of the Leeds Arts University’s online-only postgraduate degree show. Featuring work from students graduating in MA Animation, MA Creature Design, MA Digital Fashion, MA Creative Practice, MA Fine Art, MA Graphic Design, MA Graphic Novel, MA Illustration and MA Photography, Leeds Arts University Postgraduate Show 2021 will be hosted on the University website from Thursday 25 November 2021 – Monday 31 January 2022.