Sara Kuba

Sara Kuba – Designer

Children's book illustrator and character designer. Digital artist. Loves anything whimsical, cute, and round.

Overview

I am a children's illustrator and character designer who graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design with a B.F.A. in Illustration and have worked with clients for either concept pieces or for finished books.

While I am skilled in most aspects of illustration, I specialize in children's books/children's style illustration and in character design. These are my passions, and these are where my skills as an illustrator truly shine. I also enjoy environment and prop design, especially for whimsical settings and stories. I like to create pieces with dynamic lighting and color, and like to work with bright and pastel colors as well.


My preferred subjects are people, animals, plants, and foods. These are extremely fun to play around with shapes and create interesting and appealing designs. I do not specialize in technical, architectural, or mechanical designs. I can create architectural and mechanical/robotic designs if kept in a simplified or whimsical cartoon style.


If you are looking for a children's book illustrator, character designer, or visual development artist who has a fun and bright style, then you have found the right artist! I look forward to working with you!

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • New Apple Literary Award: Official Selection for Children's Inspirational - Sophie and the Airplane, 2017
Certifications
  • Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators
  • BFA in Illustration

Work experience

AviaGames, Inc.

Jul, 2023 — Present

I create graphics for the company's website, blogs, and email campaigns.

Ken Gagne

Jul, 2023 — Oct, 2023 (3 months)

I worked closely with Ken Gagne on his book, "Pirates Never Take Turns!" here on Reedsy. I designed the characters of the book based on his descriptions. I illustrated each page based on his specifications using Procreate for iPad and submitted each for his approval before appearing in the final book. I formatted the book and the cover for him, using Adobe InDesign and Photoshop respectively. I formatted his book for paperback, hardcover, and ebook editions.

Siva K. C. Penamakuru

Jan, 2023 — May, 2023 (4 months)

I worked with Siva Penamakuru here on Reedsy to bring his chapter book, "Let There Be Light: A Diwali Story" to life. I designed the main characters according to his specifications, and worked with him on each step of the development process. I crafted each illustration based on his descriptions using Procreate for iPad. I created the cover illustrations using Procreate, and finished the cover using Adobe Photoshop. I formatted the book for paperback, hardcover, and ebook editions.

Alison Isaac

Sep, 2021 — Dec, 2021 (3 months)

I collaborated with Alison Isaac here on Reedsy to illustrate her book, "Kookumbah." I designed the main characters according to her descriptions and expectations. I sketched and colored each illustration using Adobe Photoshop, and sent them to her for her final approval. I formatted the book for paperback, hardcover, and ebook editions.

Joyin, Inc.

Feb, 2021 — Jan, 2023 (almost 2 years)

At Joyin, I worked with a team of skilled designers and product managers to brainstorm and create wonderful toys and seasonal products for kids and adults everywhere to enjoy! While I did a little bit of everything here, I specialized in pattern design, surface illustration, and costume design. I also collaborated with the marketing team to redesign the company mascot for use in social media posts and regularly created graphics for these posts.

Kristi Grigsby LLC

Feb, 2017 — Aug, 2017 (6 months)

I was the lead children's book illustrator for a short series of picture books Kristi Grigsby wrote, my assigned book being Sophie and the Airplane. I not only communicated efficiently with Kristi about her expectations for my illustrations, but I regularly engaged in conference calls with her and the other two illustrators working on other books, and helped guide them and make decisions for the illustration process. I also formatted the books and created a template for the other two illustrators to use.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Pirates Never Take Turns!

Gagne, Ken

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
LET THERE BE LIGHT - A Diwali Story

Penamakuru, Siva K.C.

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Addie's Me-Cave

Palladino, Cheryl

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Kookumbah

Isaac, Alison

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Welcome to STEM Girls Books, the award-winning picture book series inspired by women in STEM that introduces little girls to the big possibilities of science, technology, engineering and math ... read more
Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design

Sara has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jon V.

Jon V.

Nov, 2023

It has been very easy and helpful working with Sara. She makes the process go smooth and her work is Fantastic.
Sara K.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review Jon! Loved working with you on that art test. Can't wait to bring your book to life!
Dustin S.

Dustin S.

Nov, 2023

Sara exceeded my expectation for my books illustrations. Her artwork really captured the characters in my story. I would work with her again.
Sara K.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Dustin! It's been fantastic working on this book with you. So happy I got to bring your story to life!
Ken G.

Ken G.

Oct, 2023

Sara’s the BEST! We had a blast working together. Her art is top-notch, and so is she! Her strengths: professionalism, responsiveness, enthusiasm, smarts. Her weaknesses: zip, zero, nada, nothing. Can’t wait to work with Sara again! Have I mentioned she’s the BEST?
Sara K.
Hi Ken! Thank you SO MUCH for this stellar review! I had such a great time working with you, and I can't wait to work with you again on future projects! You're awesome! ✨
Kristina A.

Kristina A.

Sep, 2023

Sara was fantastic to work with - provided several options, made revisions and I am extremely happy with the product. Would love to work with her again!!
Sara K.
Thanks so much for your review Kristina! This project was a blast. Wishing you the best with your new publishing company!!
Christopher L.

Christopher L.

Aug, 2023

Sara was an absolute pleasure to work with on my project. Her talent was matched only by her responsiveness, kindness, and helpfulness. If you are looking for a true partner and collaborator for your project, then Sara is the perfect fit. She gave me so much guidance through the process and made things very easy. Her multiple style options for each illustration and eagerness for input were a hu...
Read more
Sara K.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review Chris! I had such a great time working with you on your book, and I would love to work with you again in the future! ⭐️

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