Cristina Dan – Designer

Shortly, I love children and I love books, so I became a children’s books illustrator.

My life is simple. Even now you can probably find me in my home illustrating, reading or searching for inspiration. By my side are always my two cats and a cup of coffee.

My childhood was quiet. I enjoyed drawing A LOT, playing with younger kids, trying to teach them different things and reading them stories. This is why up until 20 I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, but at that time I didn’t know I can transform my passion for illustration into a real career.

My grandpa was a painter and a primary school teacher. Every wall of his home was filled with his canvases. In the living room, besides the window, you could always find his easel. There was rarely a day I wouldn’t visit him and now I’m living in his home and his walls are filled with my illustrations.

I live in Oradea, the only city in Romania with breathtaking Art Nouveau palaces. It looks like a smaller Vienna, such inspiring for an artist.

I’m 27 and I’ve been illustrating as a full time job for almost 4 years. Before that I taught art to children at a private studio for a year and for another one I was a graphic designer at a printshop. Both of my previous jobs helped me growing skills for my current career. What also helps me is having diplomas in teaching at kindergarten and primary school + fine arts.

For the past years I worked with people from all around the globe such as The U.S., Australia, Germany and Romania. I like to work with the authors and publishing houses as a team in order to create books that move people and leave a mark. Our goal is to make children laugh, to help people feel less alone in their struggles and to spread love, empathy and compassion.

As an illustrator, my vision is to go beyond words. I believe in the power of illustrations to speak directly to children, but it all starts with your stories. That's why I team up with authors to bring life into their visions, creating images that complete their stories. After all, small children can’t read the story, but they can read the illustrations so they must spark curiosity.

I believe that those who write for children are one of the best people you could ever find: it takes a big heart to shape little minds.

If you would like to have illustrations made from the heart consider reaching out to me!