Arlo Li – Designer

I am a freelance illustrator currently based in Maryland, USA. I was born and raised in China, and having lived in the US for many years, I bring a multicultural perspective to the stories and characters I draw. My journey to illustration wasn't entirely straightforward. I spent years working as a graphic designer before taking the leap to become a full-time illustrator in 2022. Because of my design background, I naturally pay close attention to composition, typography, and how an image serves the overall layout of a book.

As an illustrator, I see myself as a collaborator rather than just a service provider. I'm naturally observant and detail-oriented, and my goal is to deeply immerse myself in the manuscript. In my workflow, I always start with character exploration and provide a few different sketch options, so we can find the visual direction that truly fits your story together. I prefer to communicate through email — it gives us both the space to think, allows me to provide thoughtful updates, and keeps a clear record of our creative process. If you are looking for an illustrator who will genuinely care about your story and proactively share ideas along the way, I would love to connect.