When last year Tom Woodruff announced that he was stepping down after 20 years as chair of SVA’s Illustration and Cartooning departments, it came as a shock to us teachers. Tom shepherded us through decades of awards and grand achievements, but the news that his replacement would be Viktor Koen was a welcomed relief. Viktor, already well established as the founder of SVACE’s Illustration and Visual Storytelling: Art and Industry Summer Residency Program, is also a longtime core faculty member in the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Department. While learning the ropes last year, he proved to be a good listener. He asked questions and was very interested in gathering information as well as synthesizing ideas from different people into something that is practical and functional. A high priority for him is providing an effective experience for the students.

Viktor’s funny, self-effacing, approachable nature stands in relief against the intensity and drama of his work and the workaholic habits that drive it. His digital illustrations combine photography and graphic design to make powerful surrealist juxtapositions of high impact and marvelous complexity. His clients include most major magazine and book publishers, and he exhibits in galleries and museums around the world, from Athens to Japan.

Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, Viktor earned his undergraduate degree at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. He came to SVA for his MFA specifically to study under Marshall Arisman, with whom he became close. Viktor joined the faculty in 2004 and has been a dynamic contributor to the community ever since.

Foremost among Viktor’s new initiatives is the introduction of the Senior Thesis class as well as a depart- ment name change. To distinguish us from animation and to stress the role of visual narrative, BFA Cartooning is now BFA Comics. New courses will focus on: comic book covers, gag cartooning, mural making, toy design and toy production. Meanwhile, greater emphasis will be given to comics and illustration-related courses in the humanities. “More and more, students are passionate about telling stories,” Viktor said, “and their work is the vehicle to carry them.”

As Viktor steps into his new role at the College, he said, “I’m very excited to be running these departments, and much of that excitement comes from working with such wonderful faculty and staff—I couldn’t wish for a more passionate and professional team at the office.” Viktor sees for himself on a “learning curve with no end in sight. I’m restless and this is the right place at the right time for me to be in.”