Mariana Ostanik – Designer

Originally from Brazil, I now reside in Portugal, and since 2018, I have dedicated myself to creating books that inspire young minds by combining my love for both literature and art.

I hold a degree in Graphic Design from the University of Estate of São Paulo and a Master’s in Science from the University of São Paulo. My professional experience includes collaborating with publishers and authors worldwide to create engaging illustrations and designs.

I have worked extensively on children’s picture books, board books, and activity books, with a particular focus on crafting stories that resonate with toddlers and early readers. My creative style is often described as warm, cute, and cozy—perfect for capturing the imagination of young audiences.

Growing up surrounded by art materials and imaginary stories, I found inspiration in creating characters that seemed to leap off the page. Today, that same energy and imagination fuel my work as I aim to inspire the next generation of readers. My goal as an illustrator is to nurture a love of literature in children while bringing warmth, creativity, and fun to each project I take on.

* Process *

The content creation process is divided into 03 parts:

(a) Sketch: this is when the project is still in its start when the briefing is defined when the process of studying, creating sketches, and presenting the first ideas begins; a “sketch” is an unfinished drawing (without applying color, shadow, light, effects, etc.);

(b) Coloring: occurs after the sketches presented have been approved; now begins the process of finalizing the art, when applying colors, shadow, light, effects, and everything necessary for the illustration to be finished;

(c) Editorial Design: with all the illustrations done, the book design starts. In this phase, the text is combined with the illustrations, and the book parts like the cover, and the text blocks are created. This phase is responsible to make the book attractive, visually interesting, and easy to read.

After all the content is completed, the files are delivered in high resolution, and for the platforms, you need (E.G.: kindle)

Important: This fee includes 2 rounds of corrections per illustration. The extra correction will have a 20 USD fee per illustration.

I usually share every part of the process with you here, so you can follow me and approve everything on time, and feel free to give me your opinion and be a part of the entire project - we want to make something amazing!

* Important Topics *

- My pricing varies depending on the style and subject matter. Feel free to get in touch for more details.

- I don’t create animations, but I can recommend trusted professionals to help with your book trailer if needed.

- My schedule opens when I have available spots. I only work on a maximum of two books at a time to ensure each client gets the attention they deserve. If you'd like to work with me, stay tuned!