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I debuted as a book illustrator in London before living in Japan for over 20 years, specialising in illustration for everything from posters to packaging and TV, as well as over 50 children's books for Western and Japanese publishers. Now returned to the UK, I'm currently based in Norwich, from where I continue to write and illustrate for clients internationally. Website: johnshelley.com Bluesky/Instagram: @StudioNIB…I debuted as a book illustrator in London before living in Japan for over 20 years, specialising in illustration for everything from posters to packaging and TV, as well as over 50 children's books for Western and Japanese publishers. Now returned to the UK, I'm currently based in Norwich, from where I continue to write and illustrate for clients internationally. Website: johnshelley.com Bluesky/Instagram: @StudioNIB

John Shelley

Illustrator, Children’s Book Illustrator, Art Director, +2

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I debuted as a book illustrator in London before living in Japan for over 20 years, specialising in illustration for everything from posters to packaging and TV, as well as over 50 children's books for Western and Japanese publishers. Now returned to the UK, I'm currently based in Norwich, from where I continue to write and illustrate for clients internationally. Website: johnshelley.com Bluesky/Instagram: @StudioNIB…I debuted as a book illustrator in London before living in Japan for over 20 years, specialising in illustration for everything from posters to packaging and TV, as well as over 50 children's books for Western and Japanese publishers. Now returned to the UK, I'm currently based in Norwich, from where I continue to write and illustrate for clients internationally. Website: johnshelley.com Bluesky/Instagram: @StudioNIB

Available to hire

I debuted as a book illustrator in London before living in Japan for over 20 years, specialising in illustration for everything from posters to packaging and TV, as well as over 50 children’s books for Western and Japanese publishers. Now returned to the UK, I’m currently based in Norwich, from where I continue to write and illustrate for clients internationally.
Website: johnshelley.com
Bluesky/Instagram: @StudioNIB

Skills

Book Illustration

Editorial Illustration

Advertising Illustration

Character Design

Poster

Experience Level

Book Illustration

Expert

Editorial Illustration

Expert

Advertising Illustration

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Japanese

Advanced

Work Experience

Editor/Art Director at The Blue Blanket

January 1, 1982 - August 17, 2025

Oversaw editorial content and art direction for the Norfolk-based arts and music journal.

Freelance Illustrator at Self-employed, London

January 1, 1986 - August 17, 2025

Worked across editorial and children's publishing, producing illustrations for books and media.

Co-Founder, Illustrator/Designer Collective at Façade Art Studios, Crouch End, London

December 31, 1984 - August 17, 2025

Co-founded a collective for illustrators and designers fostering creative collaboration.

Illustrator at Various clients, Tokyo, Japan

January 1, 2008 - August 17, 2025

became the most established resident non-Japanese illustrator in Japan featuring a broad portfolio including advertising campaigns, editorial work, character design, and children's publishing; served as the only non-Japanese committee member of JAGDA and featured annually in Genkosha's Illustration File; worked with major brands such as Parco, Mitsubishi, Sony, Coca Cola, Toyota, and others.

Illustrator and Children's Book Writer at Self-employed, UK

January 1, 2008 - Present

Continuing to work on design industry commissions and focusing on writing and illustrating children's books for international publishers, maintaining strong connections with Japan.