Chiara Aiuola – Designer

Hi! I'm Chiara, a children’s book illustrator based in Bari, a sunny coastal city in southern Italy. I studied art and specialised in children’s book illustration at IED (European Institute of Design) in Milan.

I began my professional career working in start-ups designing educational apps for children, an experience that helped me gain a deeper understanding of young audiences — what they enjoy, what engages them, and how stories can connect with them — while also expanding my professional skills.

Now I'm a full time freelance illustrator (and busy mum) working with vibrant colour palettes and digital media, often adding textures inspired by traditional pencil strokes. My aim is to bring stories to life through colourful, warm, and whimsical illustrations that spark imagination and bring smiles to children’s faces.

I enjoy collaborating closely with authors to translate ideas into images, and I find it especially rewarding to see stories take shape visually.