Phoebe Morris - Designer
Award-winning illustrator from Middle Earth, recently illustrated a picture book biography of the NZ Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern
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Overview
I'm a freelance creative from New Zealand, best known for my award-winning picture book illustrations and medium quality sense of humour.
My work combines digital and traditional methods across a range of styles. My most recent project was illustrating a picture book biography of the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. The first book I ever illustrated, 'First to the Top | Sir Edmund Hillary's Amazing Everest Adventure' was recently published in India, and read aloud on national television by a dude from the Hobbit for 'Goodnight Kiwi'.
As much as I enjoy working in Middle Earth, I am looking to expand my work to the US market. My understanding of this audience can be assured - I consume more cultural content from the United States than I do from New Zealand. This includes regularly tuning in to 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' and 'Political Gabfest'. I recently went on a Malcom Gladwell binge, followed by many hours of Ken Burns documentaries. Last summer I finally read 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith, and I know more Bob Dylan lyrics by heart than is likely useful or sensible.
I enjoy collaborating from very early concepts through to the finished product. This includes determining pagination, pacing, text placement, what subject matter should be illustrated, and how. I have broader experience in art direction, concept development, creative strategy, visual design and project management. Past clients include Google, Xero, Penguin Books (NZ), Allen & Unwin, Huia Publishers (NZ).
"I'm impressed to the point of oxygen debt with Phoebe's work. I know that Penguin NZ are as well; I've never heard a publisher squeak with excitement so much" - David Hill, author
"Bark, bark bark bark bark, bark bark" - Boris Morris, Poodle
My work combines digital and traditional methods across a range of styles. My most recent project was illustrating a picture book biography of the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. The first book I ever illustrated, 'First to the Top | Sir Edmund Hillary's Amazing Everest Adventure' was recently published in India, and read aloud on national television by a dude from the Hobbit for 'Goodnight Kiwi'.
As much as I enjoy working in Middle Earth, I am looking to expand my work to the US market. My understanding of this audience can be assured - I consume more cultural content from the United States than I do from New Zealand. This includes regularly tuning in to 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' and 'Political Gabfest'. I recently went on a Malcom Gladwell binge, followed by many hours of Ken Burns documentaries. Last summer I finally read 'Just Kids' by Patti Smith, and I know more Bob Dylan lyrics by heart than is likely useful or sensible.
I enjoy collaborating from very early concepts through to the finished product. This includes determining pagination, pacing, text placement, what subject matter should be illustrated, and how. I have broader experience in art direction, concept development, creative strategy, visual design and project management. Past clients include Google, Xero, Penguin Books (NZ), Allen & Unwin, Huia Publishers (NZ).
"I'm impressed to the point of oxygen debt with Phoebe's work. I know that Penguin NZ are as well; I've never heard a publisher squeak with excitement so much" - David Hill, author
"Bark, bark bark bark bark, bark bark" - Boris Morris, Poodle
Services
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Children's - Non-fiction
Education & Reference
Nature
Fiction
Children's
Short Story
Social & Family Issues
Certifications
- BDes (Hons) Visual Communication Design, Massey University, First Class Honours , Massey Scholar 2013
Awards
- Children's Choice Award | New Zealand book awards for Children and Young Adults
- 2016, 2017 and 2018 Storylines Notable Book Award
- 2018 Finalist in the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults Elsie Locke Non-Fiction Category
- 2018 Finalist in the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults Russel Clarke Award for Illustration Category
- 2014 Best Awards Finalist in the Student category | Designers Institute of New Zealand
Work experience
Illustrator
Self-employed
March, 2014
–
Present
(almost 7 years)
Since 2014 I have worked on illustrating a number of children's books for Penguin NZ.
This process involves collaborating with both author and editor. My role includes developing a full storyboard and text layout to accompany the written text, suggestions for pagination and pacing, submitting an initial scale draft for feedback, and rendering the final illustrations.
Projects include a series of biographical picture books about famous New Zealanders written by acclaimed kiwi author David Hill, a number of portraits for 'Go Girl', and a series of covers and internal spot illustrations for the 'Frankie Potts' series.
Portfolio (11 selected works)
Taking the Lead: How Jacinda Ardern Wowed the World (David Hill Kiwi Legends)
Hill, David, Morris, Phoebe
Cleo and Rob
Helen Brown, Phoebe Morris
A kitten called Cleo steps into six-year-old Rob's life after his big brother, Sam, dies.Based on true events in author Helen Brown's family, this heartwarming story first appeared as a world-wide bestselling book for adults, Cleo.
Lost Wonders
Sarah Ell, Phoebe Morris
The stories of these fascinating creatures - birds, insects, reptiles and plants - are told in an entertaining and accessible style, drawing on first-hand accounts and supported with useful illustrations. It draws on accounts of their demise, and of the social climate in New Zealand in which these extinctions occurred. Illustrated with line drawings by Phoebe Morris, and written in a relatable... read more
In 1934, Jean Batten set a world record for the fastest flight from England to Australia. Just two years later, she made the first-ever solo flight from England to New Zealand. Jean's fearless determination and flying skills helped her survive storms and crashes, as she crossed great oceans and lonely deserts in her tiny plane. This gripping true story with its dazzling illustrations is the th... read more
A stunning biographical picture book for young readers about Sir Peter Blake, world renowned New Zealand yachtsman, adventurer and environmentalist "Remember" he wrote, "this is the most beautiful world, and it's the only only one we've got". Sir Peter Blake's life was filled with amazing adventures. During his 30-year career on the ocean, he sailed around the globe, won the world's most famou... read more
Up on the world's highest mountain, the sky is tinged the black color of space and the air is almost too thin to breathe. How did Ed, a small, shy boy from a tiny New Zealand town, grow up to become the world's most famous mountaineer and adventurer? How did he climb Everest and do many other astonishing things? This exceptional picture book tells Sir Ed's story—a story of courage, skill and d... read more
Frankie Potts and the Postcard Puzzle
Juliet Jacka
Book 3 in Juliet Jacka's addictive new Frankie Potts series for readers ages 7-10.Meet Frankie Potts, the village of Tring's number one girl detective. She has flaming red hair, a questioning mind and a very clever dog named Sparkplug. And she is REALLY good at solving mysteries.Frankie's list of mysteries to solve is getting longer by the day. Firstly, her mum is acting very strangely - she's... read more
Frankie Potts and the Sparkplug Mysteries
Juliet Jacka
Book 1 in Juliet Jacka's addictive new Frankie Potts series for readers ages 7-10.Meet Frankie Potts, the village of Tring's number one girl detective. She has flaming red hair, a questioning mind and an addiction to gobstoppers. And she is REALLY good at solving mysteries.When Frankie is adopted by a dog at the window of her favourite sweetshop, there's detecting to be done.The dog, Sparkplug... read more
Frankie Potts and the Wicked Wolves
Juliet Jacka
Book 4 in Juliet Jacka's addictive new Frankie Potts series for readers ages 7-10.Meet Frankie Potts, the village of Tring's number one girl detective. She has flaming red hair, a questioning mind and a very clever dog named Sparkplug. And she is REALLY good at solving mysteries.A band of dancers with bells and blue painted faces have come to Tring, and Frankie can smell a mystery. Who are the... read more
Frankie Potts and the Bikini Burglar
Juliet Jacka
Book 2 in Juliet Jacka's addictive new Frankie Potts series for readers ages 7-10.Meet Frankie Potts, the village of Tring's number one girl detective. She has flaming red hair, a questioning mind and a very clever dog named Sparkplug. And she is REALLY good at solving mysteries.Frankie is on the lookout for a human detective sidekick to share her caseload. Finding the right person isn't as ea... read more
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