Linda Giulia Carluschi – Designer

I create colourful, whimsical illustrations that bring characters to life, spark children’s imaginations and help little readers fall in love with books and stories.

My love for drawing and painting started when I was a child. I could spend entire days painting with watercolours or filling piles of paper with sketches, completely absorbed in my own little world. That passion led me to study Fine Arts and Design and eventually pursue my childhood dream of becoming a professional illustrator.

After working for several years as a graphic designer at a design agency in Milan, I decided it was time to follow my heart. I specialised in children’s book illustration at London Art College and began my journey as a freelance illustrator. Since then, my work has been exhibited in Naples, Italy, and Indonesia, and I’ve collaborated with independent authors and publishing partners on a variety of creative projects.

My love for children’s education also led me to work as an Early Years Educator, where I gained a deeper understanding of how young children think, learn and experience the world. Combined with my background in graphic design, this experience helps me create accessible, child-friendly illustrations that communicate stories and emotions, even to children who cannot read yet. I can also bring projects from initial sketches to professionally designed, print-ready books, making the self-publishing journey a little easier for authors.

One of my favourite parts of the creative process is getting to know the author behind the story. I love chatting about their inspiration, the characters they imagine and how they envision the finished book. Character development and storyboarding are particularly special to me because that’s when a story starts to take shape and its world truly comes alive.

My illustrations celebrate people from different cultures and backgrounds, with a focus on inclusivity and representation so that every child has the chance to see themselves reflected in a story. I love experimenting with bright colours, textures, light and playful details to create vibrant, imaginative worlds full of warmth and personality.

They say, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Well, illustration is my passion, and it often spills over into late-night drawing sessions and weekend painting adventures. I pour my heart and soul into every project, and I feel incredibly lucky to turn the stories and ideas in my imagination into something children can hold, explore and treasure.

So, whether you’re an author with a story waiting to be illustrated, a publisher looking for a creative collaborator, or simply someone who wants to say hello, I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s bring your story to life!