Inês Fonseca – Designer

I’m a children’s book illustrator, author and designer with over 14 years of experience in the creative industry and 20+ published books. I’ve worked with publishers and authors in Portugal, Brazil, the UK and the US, bringing together illustration, design and art direction to create engaging, visually rich books for children.

What drives me artistically is a desire to bring hope, empathy and a sense of magic to young readers. To me, books are one of the most beautiful and personal ways of doing that. They can make us feel seen, help us understand one another, and open the door to worlds we might never have imagined.

My background in design and art direction has given me a strong understanding of composition, colour, typography and visual storytelling. At the same time, my experience as an author and illustrator allows me to approach each project from both sides of the creative process, always keeping the story at the heart of the work.

I believe the best books are made through a thoughtful, collaborative process. I love working closely with authors, listening to their ideas, understanding the heart of their story and developing a visual language that feels authentic to it. I’m organised, communicative and committed to making the creative process feel clear, enjoyable and rewarding from the first sketches to the final artwork.