Irene Silvino – Designer

"From idea to bookshelf — guiding authors through every step of picture book creation"

My name is Irene Silvino, and I’m an illustrator and art director based in London, UK. I specialise in bringing stories to life through expressive characters, rich emotions, and imaginative worlds filled with curious people, playful animals and vibrant nature. I love helping aspiring children’s book authors transform their ideas into fully realised, beautifully illustrated picture books.

Creating a children’s book is a special journey — one that blends storytelling, illustration, and publishing know-how. I work with authors at every stage, from shaping the earliest draft of a manuscript to delivering polished, print-ready artwork. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing your book for print, I offer guidance, strategy, and illustration services tailored to your needs.

EARLY-STAGE IDEA SHAPING

Every great picture book begins with a strong foundation. I help you refine your concept so it works both visually and narratively for the picture book format. Together, we’ll look at how your manuscript translates into page turns, explore story pacing, and map out a clear storyboard and book layout. This process ensures your idea has the structure it needs to shine before a single illustration is drawn.

MARKET GUIDANCE

Children’s books have their own rules — from word count to page length and even book trim sizes. I’ll guide you through the standards publishers and readers expect, helping you choose the right age range, number of spreads, and format. You’ll also gain insights into pricing strategies that position your book competitively while keeping production costs realistic.

PUBLISHING PATH ADVICE

Deciding how to publish can feel overwhelming. I provide clear, practical advice on your publishing options — whether that’s self-publishing through major distributors like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, or working with independent printers for a bespoke finish. I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each path so you can make the choice that best fits your goals, budget, and vision for your book.

VISUAL STORYTELLING STRATEGY

Illustrations do more than decorate a page — they carry the emotional heart of your story. I help you develop a visual storytelling strategy, from mood boards and colour palette recommendations to initial character design concepts. We’ll also look at how composition, page turns, and visual rhythm support the emotional beats of your text, ensuring the words and images work in harmony.

ILLUSTRATION SERVICES – BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

When your story is ready to take its final form, I bring every strategy together into a fully illustrated picture book. This includes polished character designs, vibrant final artwork across all spreads, and a carefully crafted layout that balances words and images seamlessly. I’ll also design your cover, prepare professional print-ready PDFs, and provide digital formats where needed. The result is a complete, production-ready book that reflects your vision and is ready for publishing, whether through self-publishing platforms or independent printers.