Kristina Denadic – Designer

I’m an illustrator with 8 years of experience in self-publishing and traditional publishing, with over 20 published children's books, including picture books, books for early readers, middle grade, and chapter books, as well as individual covers. With a BA in Costume Design, I specialise in telling stories visually, analyzing and creating authentic characters, and creating authentic, expressive illustrations with dynamic storytelling.

My priority is understanding the market, targeting the right audience, and structuring books for maximum clarity and impact, not only making sure that the illustrations are exceptional - I treat each book holistically keeping in mind the bigger picture. While my foundation is in illustration, my experience has expanded my focus to publishing strategy, industry relationships, and production excellence. I'm passionate about staying current with market trends, collaborating with talented professionals, and creating books that are both meaningful and commercially successful. I'm excited to be part of Reedsy and connect with fellow creators who share that vision.

My process of illustrating a children's book includes: analyzing the manuscript, identifying key visual moments, developing characters, creating storyboards and page layouts, refining sketches, establishing the color palette, producing final artwork, integrating text, designing the cover and typography, preparing print-ready files, and reviewing proofs before publication.

With a background in animation, film, theater and video games, my style reflects Western aesthetics and is particularly suited for ages between 3-12, but also for YA.

I’m drawn to classical and fantasy stories with layered narratives and strong transformational arcs, and I enjoy illustrating stories featuring animals, creatures, and anthropomorphic characters.

I’m open to collaborations with publishers and indie authors, offering full art direction and production support alongside illustration.