I’m a Melbourne-based illustrator and designer specialising in children’s book illustration and character design. With a Master of Creative Arts and a strong foundation in visual storytelling, I create warm, expressive, and engaging illustrations that connect emotionally with young audiences. My work focuses on cute, character-driven storytelling, where visuals play a key role in conveying emotion, personality, and narrative. I have experience developing original characters, illustrating story concepts, and exploring themes such as belonging, friendship, and self-acceptance, most notably through my project Aster: The Journey to Luna Lake. Alongside illustration, I bring industry experience in branding and visual communication across the beauty and hospitality sectors, giving me a strong understanding of composition, colour, and audience engagement. This allows me to create illustrations that are not only visually appealing, but also purposeful and effective in storytelling. What differentiates me is my ability to combine soft, playful aesthetics with meaningful narratives. I aim to create illustrations that feel comforting, expressive, and memorable, capturing both the imagination of children and the emotional depth that resonates with wider audiences. I am proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and digital illustration workflows, with additional experience in hand-crafted presentation formats that bring stories to life beyond the screen. Children’s Book Illustration Project (Independent) Aster: The Journey to Luna Lake 2025 • Developed an original story centred on themes of friendship, identity, and belonging • Designed a cast of unique, emotionally expressive characters • Illustrated narrative scenes using a soft, cute visual style • Produced a mixed-media carousel book combining digital illustration with hand-crafted assembly Art Teacher Global Art, Melbourne 2024 – Present • Guided children in developing drawing, colouring, and creative expression skills • Supported early visual storytelling and character creation • Provided constructive feedback to nurture confidence and creativity Graphic Designer Zglow Clinic, Indonesia 2020 – 2023 • Created visual content for marketing campaigns, including posters, social media, and print materials • Developed brand-aligned designs to engage target audiences • Strengthened visual storytelling through layout, colour, and composition Freelance Graphic Designer Midtown Xpress Hotel & Midtown Coffee, Indonesia 2020 – 2023 (Project-based) • Designed menus, packaging, and promotional materials • Adapted visual styles to suit hospitality and lifestyle branding • Delivered creative solutions tailored to client needs

Novie Thio

I’m a Melbourne-based illustrator and designer specialising in children’s book illustration and character design. With a Master of Creative Arts and a strong foundation in visual storytelling, I create warm, expressive, and engaging illustrations that connect emotionally with young audiences. My work focuses on cute, character-driven storytelling, where visuals play a key role in conveying emotion, personality, and narrative. I have experience developing original characters, illustrating story concepts, and exploring themes such as belonging, friendship, and self-acceptance, most notably through my project Aster: The Journey to Luna Lake. Alongside illustration, I bring industry experience in branding and visual communication across the beauty and hospitality sectors, giving me a strong understanding of composition, colour, and audience engagement. This allows me to create illustrations that are not only visually appealing, but also purposeful and effective in storytelling. What differentiates me is my ability to combine soft, playful aesthetics with meaningful narratives. I aim to create illustrations that feel comforting, expressive, and memorable, capturing both the imagination of children and the emotional depth that resonates with wider audiences. I am proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and digital illustration workflows, with additional experience in hand-crafted presentation formats that bring stories to life beyond the screen. Children’s Book Illustration Project (Independent) Aster: The Journey to Luna Lake 2025 • Developed an original story centred on themes of friendship, identity, and belonging • Designed a cast of unique, emotionally expressive characters • Illustrated narrative scenes using a soft, cute visual style • Produced a mixed-media carousel book combining digital illustration with hand-crafted assembly Art Teacher Global Art, Melbourne 2024 – Present • Guided children in developing drawing, colouring, and creative expression skills • Supported early visual storytelling and character creation • Provided constructive feedback to nurture confidence and creativity Graphic Designer Zglow Clinic, Indonesia 2020 – 2023 • Created visual content for marketing campaigns, including posters, social media, and print materials • Developed brand-aligned designs to engage target audiences • Strengthened visual storytelling through layout, colour, and composition Freelance Graphic Designer Midtown Xpress Hotel & Midtown Coffee, Indonesia 2020 – 2023 (Project-based) • Designed menus, packaging, and promotional materials • Adapted visual styles to suit hospitality and lifestyle branding • Delivered creative solutions tailored to client needs

Available to hire

I’m a Melbourne-based illustrator and designer specialising in children’s book illustration and character design. With a Master of Creative Arts and a strong foundation in visual storytelling, I create warm, expressive, and engaging illustrations that connect emotionally with young audiences.

My work focuses on cute, character-driven storytelling, where visuals play a key role in conveying emotion, personality, and narrative. I have experience developing original characters, illustrating story concepts, and exploring themes such as belonging, friendship, and self-acceptance, most notably through my project Aster: The Journey to Luna Lake.

Alongside illustration, I bring industry experience in branding and visual communication across the beauty and hospitality sectors, giving me a strong understanding of composition, colour, and audience engagement. This allows me to create illustrations that are not only visually appealing, but also purposeful and effective in storytelling.

What differentiates me is my ability to combine soft, playful aesthetics with meaningful narratives. I aim to create illustrations that feel comforting, expressive, and memorable, capturing both the imagination of children and the emotional depth that resonates with wider audiences.

I am proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and digital illustration workflows, with additional experience in hand-crafted presentation formats that bring stories to life beyond the screen.

Children’s Book Illustration Project (Independent)
Aster: The Journey to Luna Lake
2025
• Developed an original story centred on themes of friendship, identity, and belonging
• Designed a cast of unique, emotionally expressive characters
• Illustrated narrative scenes using a soft, cute visual style
• Produced a mixed-media carousel book combining digital illustration with hand-crafted assembly

Art Teacher
Global Art, Melbourne
2024 – Present
• Guided children in developing drawing, colouring, and creative expression skills
• Supported early visual storytelling and character creation
• Provided constructive feedback to nurture confidence and creativity

Graphic Designer
Zglow Clinic, Indonesia
2020 – 2023
• Created visual content for marketing campaigns, including posters, social media, and print materials
• Developed brand-aligned designs to engage target audiences
• Strengthened visual storytelling through layout, colour, and composition

Freelance Graphic Designer
Midtown Xpress Hotel & Midtown Coffee, Indonesia
2020 – 2023 (Project-based)
• Designed menus, packaging, and promotional materials
• Adapted visual styles to suit hospitality and lifestyle branding
• Delivered creative solutions tailored to client needs

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Language

English
Fluent
Indonesian
Fluent
Malay
Advanced
Chinese
Intermediate

Work Experience

Art Teacher at Global Art
January 1, 2024 - Present
Delivered art education, coached students in drawing and creative development; provided constructive visual feedback and progress reports.
Graphic Designer at Z Glow Clinic
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Continued branding and promotional material design; ensured visual consistency across campaigns (Balikpapan).
Graphic Designer at ZGlow Clinic
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Graphic design work for Bali clinic during 2022-2023 campaigns, maintaining brand consistency and delivering digital and print collateral.
Volunteer Graphic Designer at Midtown Xpress Hotel Bali
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2023
Designed visual materials to support branding and guest experience, including menus, promotional banners, and cookie jar packaging. Delivered tailored design solutions on a project basis, ensuring brand consistency with the hotel identity.
Graphic Designer at ZGlow Clinic
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2021
Created visual assets and branding for clinic marketing materials, including posters and social media content, ensuring consistent visual identity across campaigns.
Translator (Intern) at Xiaomi
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019
Translated app content from English to Bahasa Indonesia; maintained up-to-date knowledge of English technical terms to support product development.
Graphic Designer at Majalah Caberawit
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2018
Designed magazine layouts and illustrations for a Beijing-based publication (Beijing).
Graphic Designer at Mangala Event Organisers
March 1, 2014 - December 31, 2017
Designed layouts, visuals and branding materials for events and communications; contributed to promotional content and internal communications.

Education

Master of Creative Arts at Deakin University
July 1, 2023 - October 1, 2025
Bachelor of Business Administration at Beijing Foreign Studies University
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2018
Diploma of Animation at Raffles College of Higher Education
April 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022

Qualifications

Bachelor of Business Administration (International Marketing)
September 1, 2018 - June 1, 2019
Diploma of Animation - Raffles College of Higher Education
April 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022
TOEFL iBT: 96/120
January 11, 2030 - April 7, 2026
HSK Proficiency Test - Level IV
January 11, 2030 - April 7, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Travel & Hospitality
    Aster; The Journey to Luna Lake

    Aster and Friends is a character-driven storytelling project that explores belonging and self-acceptance through cute, emotionally expressive design.

    Following Aster, a husky in search of friendship, the narrative unfolds through encounters with other “outsider” characters, ultimately revealing that connection is found, not wished for. The project combines digital illustration with hand-crafted presentation, reflecting my research into how cute aesthetics can be used to create deeper emotional resonance and appeal to broader, gender-inclusive audiences.