The name Avril Harrison may not mean much to those reading this. Shamefully, it was a name I had heard linked with the early Amiga scene, but I hadn’t looked into what exactly her place in its history was until recently. In the course of researching her, I also learned Avril is rather important in the history of Lucasfilm’s games, too.

There actually isn’t all that much to be found about Avril Harrison, both past and present. She may have left the games industry altogether over twenty years ago now with relative anonymity actively sought, leaving no Wikipedia article about her, no interviews on games media sites, and a sparse MobyGames entry.

Digging around, determined to find something about her, I unearthed something key to my research: a computer artwork brochure from 1986: Displays on Display.

The Scottish Connection

In this feature on computer artwork, there are a few tantalising details about Avril. I learned she was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and immigrated to the United States in 1985 where she joined Electronic Arts, just in time for the launch of the Commodore Amiga. Electronic Arts was enthusiastic about the Amiga and its potential for digital artwork, pioneering the IFF format and developing Deluxe Paint.

Enter Avril Harrison, who, after some initial reluctance about the viability of computers as a medium of artistry, became just as keen on computer artwork and art software as her colleagues. It was Avril who created an iconic image of 80s computer art that became the face of Deluxe Paint in later editions: Tutankhamun’s Mask.

She would also create artwork for games published by Electronic Arts, most notably Starflight and Prince of Persia. That gorgeous image on Prince of Persia’s title screen? That’s her handiwork.

Alongside other pioneers of computer artwork, such as Sheryl Knowles, Avril would create several other notable pieces including a rendition of Botticelli’s Venus and a photo-inspired piece of a cheeky waif, Glasgow Slum Girl.

We also learn through a quotation from Greg Johnson, chief designer of Starflight, that she was completely “anti-computer” before her work on the Amiga. At the time of drawing her Venus piece, she had only used the Amiga for two months and used Deluxe Paint as a straightforward freehand drawing too, eschewing special effects until she became “more comfortable” with the package.

I’m really not computer-minded at all, but this program is really simple to use.

Despite her success in promoting the Amiga as a tool for artists, both in game development and otherwise, hers is the name I’ve heard the least over the years. I even had someone claim on social media just recently that it wasn’t Avril behind Tutankhamun, despite her initials being on the piece.

Setting Sail for Monkey Island

Avril would later leave Electronic Arts and join Lucasfilm Games, later re-titled LucasArts. During her years at Lucasfilm, she created graphics for several future classics; The Secret of Monkey Island, LOOM, and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. It is even rumoured that Governor Marley’s design in the close-ups you see in the first Monkey Island game is based on a likeness of Avril!

An Elusive Figure

Avril’s video game credits on MobyGames dried up in 1999, with only a single game credit since for the Special Edition remakes of Monkey Island I and II in 2010, credited for ‘Additional Art’. Before that in the 2000s or since then, her endeavours and professional pursuits remain a mystery. Hopefully, she’s still happily and quietly pursuing her creative passions, and by writing this little retrospective, I’ll shed some more well-deserved limelight on an unsung computer artwork pioneer.

Sad News of Avril’s Passing

In September 2025, someone commented on this article reporting the sad news that Avril had passed away in 2019 at the age of 61, linking an online obituary. Given that there are tributes from Chris Grun, someone who worked with her at Broderbund, and a friend who was aware of her computer artistry, this will be the correct Avril Harrison. I’ll include Chris’s tribute here to close this now slightly expanded feature with. Rest in peace, Avril.

I worked with Avril at Broderbund Software in the late 90’s. It was my first job coming out of school in 1995 and she was always a gracious mentor. She was such a talented artist who was very willing to share tips of the trade and insights of working as an artist. I will always remember her as a generous and gentle soul that helped me on my journey. You will be missed.

Carl Svensson’s ‘Not as Famous as They Should Be’ article about unsung heroes of the computer age formed part of my research into Avril Harrison. Appreciation goes out to them for the nifty bit of info about Governor Marley!

Venus, Adventure Construction Kit, and Glasgow Slum Girl Images courtesy of the Amiga Graphics Archive. Governor Marley’s image courtesy of Monkey Island wikia.