James Olstein is an editorial illustrator with over 15 years of experience. He works in the fields of editorial, brand, packaging and book illustration. James brings a humorous and clever approach to each project he works on. Although he works on a variety of subjects he specializes in science, outdoors, pop culture, and comedic illustrations. “James Olstein is an illustrator and author specializing in creating digital art that retains an analogue look and feel. Filled with grainy textures and overlapping vibrant colors, his work has the curious quality of looking like it came from the past, even though it contains modern items and characters.” - Creative Boom James’ hobbies include drinking coffee, listening to records, loudly playing the drums and getting messy from screen printing. He has rarely met a donut he didn’t like.…

James Olstein

James Olstein is an editorial illustrator with over 15 years of experience. He works in the fields of editorial, brand, packaging and book illustration. James brings a humorous and clever approach to each project he works on. Although he works on a variety of subjects he specializes in science, outdoors, pop culture, and comedic illustrations. “James Olstein is an illustrator and author specializing in creating digital art that retains an analogue look and feel. Filled with grainy textures and overlapping vibrant colors, his work has the curious quality of looking like it came from the past, even though it contains modern items and characters.” - Creative Boom James’ hobbies include drinking coffee, listening to records, loudly playing the drums and getting messy from screen printing. He has rarely met a donut he didn’t like.…

Available to hire

James Olstein is an editorial illustrator with over 15 years of experience. He works in the fields of editorial, brand, packaging and book illustration. James brings a humorous and clever approach to each project he works on. Although he works on a variety of subjects he specializes in science, outdoors, pop culture, and comedic illustrations.

“James Olstein is an illustrator and author specializing in creating digital art that retains an analogue look and feel. Filled with grainy textures and overlapping vibrant colors, his work has the curious quality of looking like it came from the past, even though it contains modern items and characters.” - Creative Boom

James’ hobbies include drinking coffee, listening to records, loudly playing the drums and getting messy from screen printing. He has rarely met a donut he didn’t like.

See more

Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Art Director at Brownstein Group
December 31, 2016 - July 24, 2025
I worked directly with the Creative Director to create brand concepts through illustration and design for a variety clients including Design Philadelphia, Mural Arts, IKEA and more. My role ranged from digital work like UX to traditional advertising work for print and television.
Senior Art Director at Brownstein Group
December 1, 2016 - September 5, 2025
I worked directly with the Creative Director to create brand concepts through illustration and design for a variety clients including Design Philadelphia, Mural Arts, IKEA and more. My role ranged from digital work like UX to traditional advertising work for print and television.
Senior Art Director at Brownstein Group
December 1, 2016 - September 5, 2025
Collaborated with the Creative Director to create brand concepts through illustration and design for clients including Design Philadelphia, Mural Arts, IKEA, and more. Responsibilities ranged from digital UX work to traditional print and television advertising.
Freelance Art Director & Illustrator at Self-employed / Freelance
June 1, 2014 - Present
Self-employed freelance art direction and illustration for clients such as the BBC, Monocle Magazine, Mental Floss, Scientific American, Bob’s Burgers, Outside Online, economia, the Boston Globe, Mountain Dew and the National Constitution Centre.
Freelance Art Director & Illustrator at Freelance
June 1, 2014 - Present
Freelance art direction and illustration for clients including the BBC, Monocle Magazine, Mental Floss, Scientific American, Bob’s Burgers, Outside Online, economia, the Boston Globe, Mountain Dew and the National Constitution Centre. Responsibilities span art direction, illustration, branding and design across print, digital and experiential projects.
Freelance Art Director & Illustrator at Self-Employed
June 1, 2014 - Present
Since 2014 I have done freelance art direction and illustration for clients such as the BBC, Monocle Magazine, Mental Floss, Scientific America, Bob’s Burgers, Outside Online, economia, the Boston Globe, Mountain Dew and the National Constitution Centre.
Senior Art Director at Brownstein Group
June 1, 2010 - December 1, 2016
I worked directly with the Creative Director to create brand concepts through illustration and design for a variety clients including Design Philadelphia, Mural Arts, IKEA and more. My role ranged from digital work like UX to traditional advertising work for print and television.
Senior Designer at Singularity Design
June 1, 2010 - September 5, 2025
I worked to design brand concepts and present them to clients. I prepared artwork and graphics to be handed over to the front end development team for production. Clients included Comcast and Warner Brothers.
Senior Designer at Singularity Design
June 1, 2010 - September 5, 2025
Designed brand concepts and presented them to clients; prepared artwork and graphics for handoff to front-end development for production. Clients included Comcast and Warner Brothers.
Senior Designer at Singularity Design
June 1, 2010 - July 24, 2025
I worked to design brand concepts and present them to clients. I prepared artwork and graphics to be handed over to the front end development team for production. Clients included Comcast and Warner Brothers.
UX Designer at Comcast (CIM)
December 31, 2009 - July 24, 2025
I worked on the user experience and interface design for Comcast’s Xfinity website and product launch.
Senior Designer at Singularity Design
December 1, 2009 - June 1, 2010
I worked to design brand concepts and present them to clients. I prepared artwork and graphics to be handed over to the front end development team for production. Clients included Comcast and Warner Brothers.
UX Designer at Comcast (CIM)
December 1, 2009 - September 5, 2025
I worked on the user experience and interface design for Comcast’s Xfinity website and product launch.
UX Designer at Comcast (CIM)
December 1, 2009 - September 5, 2025
Worked on user experience and interface design for Comcast’s Xfinity website and product launch.

Education

Bachelor of Science at The Art Institute of Philadelphia
January 1, 2008 - September 1, 2008
Bachelor of Fine Arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
January 1, 2001 - August 1, 2001
Bachelor of Science in Web and Interactive Design at The Art Institute of Philadelphia
January 11, 2030 - September 1, 2008
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
January 11, 2030 - August 1, 2001
Bachelor of Science at The Art Institute of Philadelphia
January 11, 2030 - September 1, 2008
Bachelor of Fine Arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
January 11, 2030 - August 1, 2001
Bachelor of Science in Web and Interactive Design at The Art Institute of Philadelphia
January 11, 2030 - September 1, 2008
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
January 11, 2030 - August 1, 2001

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Consumer Goods, Software & Internet, Retail, Education

Skills

Experience Level