February 12, 2021
By Illustration Age Staff
Main Facts
Every December, the publishing world holds its collective breath for the unveiling of TIME magazine’s Person of the Year issue. Steeped in a century-old tradition of editorial mystery, high-stakes political intrigue, and dramatic media rollouts, the franchise remains one of the most visible cultural touchstones in modern journalism. Behind the iconic covers lies a closely guarded secret involving a rotating roster of the world’s most talented artists and photographers, all commissioned to create portraits of potential candidates without ever knowing who will ultimately claim the title.
For the monumental Person of the Year cover featuring then-President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, TIME tapped Chicago-based illustrator Jason Seiler. Marking Seiler’s second time creating the prestigious year-end cover, the assignment required navigating an intense atmosphere of secrecy, strict deadlines, and immense public scrutiny. In an exclusive interview with Sam Gallant of Illustration Age, Seiler pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of political illustration, discussing the meticulous process of capturing world leaders on canvas, his unexpected parallel passion for drumming, and what it truly means to leave an indelible mark on contemporary media history.
Chronology: The Anatomy of a Secret Assignment
The journey from a blank canvas to millions of newsstands worldwide is a masterclass in operational security and artistic agility.
Phase 1: The Call to Action (Late Autumn)
Months before the public ever sees a shortlist, TIME’s art directors quietly reach out to a select group of top-tier illustrators and photographers. Because the Person of the Year is heavily guarded—sometimes known only to a tiny circle of top editors—artists are routinely hired to paint or photograph multiple potential candidates. This ensures the magazine is ready to go to print the moment a final editorial decision is made. For Jason Seiler, this meant stepping into a familiar yet heart-pounding arena of speculative creation.
Phase 2: Speculative Creation and the Cone of Silence
Once commissioned, artists enter a rigorous phase of concept development. Working under strict non-disclosure agreements, they must study the facial structures, expressions, and public personas of their assigned subjects. They create preliminary sketches and color roughs, often adjusting lighting and composition to fit the distinct aesthetic standards of TIME covers. During this period, communication with the magazine’s art desk is intense, yet shrouded in ambiguity. The artists know their work might grace the cover of a historic edition—or it might end up permanently archived in a drawer, never to see the light of day.
Phase 3: The Reveal and Final Polish
The suspense culminates on publication day. For Seiler, the confirmation arrived not through a private phone call celebrating his selection, but when the final issue hit newsstands and digital platforms globally. Seeing his vibrant, textured portrait of Biden and Harris serving as the visual anchor for a defining moment in American history marked the validation of weeks of covert, high-pressure labor.
Supporting Data: The Mechanics of TIME’s Visual Legacy
To understand the weight of Jason Seiler’s achievement, one must examine the unique intersection of fine art, editorial journalism, and political commentary that defines TIME’s visual history.
- The Historical Weight: Established in 1923 by Briton Hadden and Henry Luce, TIME has long utilized cover art as a primary vehicle for political discourse. While photography dominates modern magazine layouts, the Person of the Year franchise frequently relies on painted or illustrated portraits to lend a timeless, interpretive quality to contemporary figures.
- The Security Apparatus: TIME’s security protocols for the Person of the Year issue rival those of government intelligence agencies. Digital files are encrypted, physical sketchbooks are kept under lock and key, and preliminary drafts are transmitted via secure channels to prevent digital leaks that could derail the magazine’s global rollout.
- The Artist’s Roster: Selection by TIME places an illustrator in an elite echelon of visual artists. Seiler’s return to the franchise underscores his status as a master of caricature and portraiture, capable of balancing hyper-realism with expressive, satirical undertones that capture the psychological depth of his subjects.
Official Responses and Perspectives
While the inner workings of TIME’s editorial board remain notoriously tight-lipped, the broader creative community and the artists themselves have increasingly spoken out about the evolving role of art in political journalism.
In his conversation with Illustration Age, Jason Seiler reflected on the psychological demands of capturing political figures at the center of global attention. Far from merely tracing photographs, Seiler approaches his subjects as complex psychological landscapes. By emphasizing certain facial features, lighting nuances, and emotional undertones, his work transcends simple likeness to offer a commentary on leadership, power, and human vulnerability.
Art directors at major publications have frequently noted that illustrated covers offer a distinct advantage over standard photography. In an era saturated with endless digital imagery, a masterfully painted portrait cuts through the visual noise. It invites the viewer to linger, examining the brushstrokes, the texture, and the deliberate artistic choices that define the subject’s public and private persona.
Furthermore, the integration of multimedia elements—such as the behind-the-scenes video feature accompanying Seiler’s interview—provides audiences with a rare window into the analog and digital techniques of modern masters. It demystifies the artistic process, transforming a static magazine cover into a dynamic educational tool for aspiring illustrators worldwide.
Implications: The Future of Political Illustration and Media Art
The collaboration between TIME and artists like Jason Seiler carries profound implications for the future of editorial illustration in a digital-first media landscape.
1. The Resurgence of Craft in Digital Age Journalism
As artificial intelligence and rapid digital generation tools threaten to commodify visual art, the demand for authentic, human-driven portraiture has never been more critical. Illustrated covers like those commissioned by TIME serve as a bulwark for traditional craftsmanship. They remind the public of the irreplaceable value of human intuition, empathy, and years of disciplined practice required to render a powerful leader’s likeness with emotional resonance.
2. Redefining Political Satire and Portraiture
The boundary between respectful portraiture and biting caricature is exceptionally fine, particularly in the realm of political illustration. Seiler’s work demonstrates that an artist can honor the dignity of high office while maintaining the incisive observational skills inherent to caricature. This balance is essential for maintaining journalistic integrity while offering a fresh, artistic perspective that photography alone cannot always achieve.
3. Inspiring the Next Generation of Illustrators
Platforms like Illustration Age play a vital role in documenting these processes, ensuring that the stories behind iconic imagery are preserved. By demystifying how artists navigate massive global assignments, these interviews inspire emerging creatives to pursue editorial illustration with confidence, technical rigor, and artistic ambition.
As political landscapes continue to shift and media formats evolve, the tradition of the TIME Person of the Year cover remains a pinnacle achievement for portrait artists. Through the lens of creators like Jason Seiler, history is not merely recorded—it is vividly, brilliantly interpreted.
