I approach every project with professionalism, clear communication, and reliability, aiming to create artwork that is both meaningful and visually memorable. I’m a professional illustrator and character designer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in children’s book illustration and visual storytelling. I hold two degrees in art and illustration, and my work combines strong artistic fundamentals with modern digital techniques. My main focus is creating engaging, emotionally rich illustrations for children’s books. I strive to bring stories to life through expressive characters, thoughtful compositions, and a strong sense of atmosphere that resonates with young readers. I have experience developing full visual narratives from early concept sketches to final illustrations and complete book layouts, ensuring consistency and cohesion across every page. I particularly enjoy working on projects that require warmth, charm, and a sense of wonder, while also paying close attention to storytelling details that support the author’s vision. Let’s create something special together.…

Narek Saroyan

I approach every project with professionalism, clear communication, and reliability, aiming to create artwork that is both meaningful and visually memorable. I’m a professional illustrator and character designer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in children’s book illustration and visual storytelling. I hold two degrees in art and illustration, and my work combines strong artistic fundamentals with modern digital techniques. My main focus is creating engaging, emotionally rich illustrations for children’s books. I strive to bring stories to life through expressive characters, thoughtful compositions, and a strong sense of atmosphere that resonates with young readers. I have experience developing full visual narratives from early concept sketches to final illustrations and complete book layouts, ensuring consistency and cohesion across every page. I particularly enjoy working on projects that require warmth, charm, and a sense of wonder, while also paying close attention to storytelling details that support the author’s vision. Let’s create something special together.…

Available to hire

I approach every project with professionalism, clear communication, and reliability, aiming to create artwork that is both meaningful and visually memorable.

I’m a professional illustrator and character designer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in children’s book illustration and visual storytelling.

I hold two degrees in art and illustration, and my work combines strong artistic fundamentals with modern digital techniques.

My main focus is creating engaging, emotionally rich illustrations for children’s books. I strive to bring stories to life through expressive characters, thoughtful compositions, and a strong sense of atmosphere that resonates with young readers. I have experience developing full visual narratives from early concept sketches to final illustrations and complete book layouts, ensuring consistency and cohesion across every page.

I particularly enjoy working on projects that require warmth, charm, and a sense of wonder, while also paying close attention to storytelling details that support the author’s vision.

Let’s create something special together.

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Language

English
Fluent
Russian
Fluent
Armenian
Fluent

Work Experience

Children's Book Illustrator at Upwork
May 5, 2023 - Present
Responsibilities: Developing visual concepts and character designs based on story briefs Creating storyboards and sketch iterations for client feedback Producing high-quality, print-ready illustrations Designing cohesive layouts for full children’s books Maintaining visual consistency across characters and environments Collaborating closely with authors, editors, and teams Managing deadlines and delivering projects on time Achievements: Successfully illustrated multiple children’s book projects from concept to final delivery Built consistent and recognizable characters across full-length stories Delivered complete illustration and layout solutions for published works Recognized for strong storytelling through visuals and emotional depth Established a versatile style adaptable to different narratives and audiences

Education

Bachelor of Art at Pasadena City College
August 28, 2016 - May 2, 2020
My time at Pasadena City College contributed to shaping my visual language and deepening my understanding of narrative-driven illustration.
Bachelor of Fine Art at Yerevan Academy of Fine Arts
September 1, 2009 - June 3, 2014

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Professional Services, Other
    paper Children's Book Illustrations

    Over 15 years of professional experience in illustration, character design, and visual storytelling.
    Two degrees in Art and Illustration.
    Extensive experience in children’s book illustration, including full visual narratives and layout design.
    Skilled in both digital and traditional artistic techniques, with expertise in character consistency and world-building.
    Strong understanding of color theory, composition, and emotional storytelling.
    Experienced in collaborating with authors, editors, and creative teams to bring stories to life.
    Able to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality, polished illustrations.
    Upwork Skill Certificate in Children’s Book Illustration.

    paper Grace and Friends

    This series of children’s books follows Grace, a spirited Black girl who, through her kind heart and the support of her family and friends, discovers simple yet profound truths about life, friendship, and kindness. The illustrations bring Grace’s world to life with warmth, charm, and expressive storytelling, creating an engaging and visually rich experience that resonates with young readers while supporting the book’s heartfelt messages.

    paper Katie the Caiman

    Katie the Caiman is a children’s story that follows Katie, a curious young caiman who gets lost in the jungles of Costa Rica. Through her journey, she is eventually rescued by the Jaguar Rescue Center, where she meets and befriends a variety of other animals. The illustrations bring Katie’s adventure to life, capturing her curiosity, personality, and the warmth of the friendships she forms, creating an engaging and visually immersive experience for young readers.

    https://a.co/d/0egp18h2

    paper Character Design

    Character Design is a curated collection of characters created for various projects, including personal work. The collection features diverse designs inspired by fairytales, mythology, and children’s literature. Each character is explored through multiple styles and visual approaches, with views from different angles to showcase personality, expression, and form. This body of work highlights a flexible design process and a strong emphasis on storytelling through character.

    paper Comic Book Illustrations

    https://a.co/d/0c9MAeuB

    Believe. Behave. Become! is a sequential comic book following the adventures of the Colorful Psychologist and her friends as they guide children and adults alike toward discovering their true nature. Through engaging storytelling and vibrant illustrations, the comic explores themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and emotional awareness. Each page combines dynamic visuals with thoughtful narratives, creating an immersive experience that is both entertaining and meaningful for readers of all ages.