Mariana O. – Designer

Olá (or Hello) I'm Mariana!

I grew up in Brazil, and from an early age, I loved imagining colorful characters and crafting stories inspired by my favorite cartoons, such as Peter Rabbit, Rupert, Babar, and Japanese animations. Since childhood, I have been deeply passionate about reading, from comics to novels.

Today, I am proud to collaborate with amazing authors and publishers worldwide, illustrating preschool and picture books. I love the thought that my illustrations can make a difference in children's lives.

I'm proudly represented worldwide by Lucie Luddington of Luddington Creative.

When I’m not illustrating, you can usually find me enjoying a good fantasy book, playing video games (as a true introvert), or taking a walk through the city with a cappuccino and a cinnamon roll in hand.

📙Illustration Styles

I offer two illustration styles: one simpler, with fewer lights and shadows, soft textures, and cheerful colors which is perfect for baby books, such as board books. The second is a more detailed style, with rich lighting, shadows, volume, and textures, ideal for picture books for children up to 5 years old.

To receive details on pricing, terms, and timelines, please specify your preferred illustration style in your quote request.

📙My Process

My illustration process is divided into four key stages:

▪️Sketching – The initial stage where concepts and rough layouts take shape. At this point, there are no colors or effects yet, just the foundation of the book’s visual direction.

▪️Coloring & Final Art – Once sketches are approved, I bring them to life with color, lighting, shadows, and detailed finishing touches.

▪️Cover Illustration & Lettering – After completing the interior artwork, I design the cover and create the title lettering. When approved, all artwork is finalized and delivered in high resolution.

▪️Book Design – I handle text layout and prepare the print-ready files, tailored to the technical requirements of your chosen printing service. While I don’t submit books directly to publishing platforms, I’ll guide you through the process to make sure everything runs smoothly.

📌 Important Notes:

▪️Please note that production time and pricing may vary depending on the chosen illustration style, especially if a more detailed approach is required.

▪️The author is responsible for carefully reviewing all materials before the final files are sent to print, or, if preferred, hiring a professional to handle this step. This ensures the files are fully aligned with expectations and ready for book production, helping to avoid errors in the printed version. The designer is not responsible for the final proofing.

▪️I don’t create animations.

I’d love to bring your vision to life—let’s create something incredible together!