Hi, I'm Emily Mendoza, a Mexican-American freelance illustrator who thrives on vibrancy and diversity. I specialize in children's books and educational illustration, bringing bold colors, playful characters, and engaging typography to every project. I love collaborating with publishers and brands to create visuals that resonate with readers of all ages. When I'm not drawing, I explore texture, motion, and design systems to keep stories lively and inclusive.

Emily Mendoza

Hi, I'm Emily Mendoza, a Mexican-American freelance illustrator who thrives on vibrancy and diversity. I specialize in children's books and educational illustration, bringing bold colors, playful characters, and engaging typography to every project. I love collaborating with publishers and brands to create visuals that resonate with readers of all ages. When I'm not drawing, I explore texture, motion, and design systems to keep stories lively and inclusive.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Emily Mendoza, a Mexican-American freelance illustrator who thrives on vibrancy and diversity. I specialize in children’s books and educational illustration, bringing bold colors, playful characters, and engaging typography to every project.

I love collaborating with publishers and brands to create visuals that resonate with readers of all ages. When I’m not drawing, I explore texture, motion, and design systems to keep stories lively and inclusive.

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced

Work Experience

Illustrator at The Cat Agency
January 1, 2023 - November 14, 2025
Creating children’s books and illustrations for clients such as HarperCollins, Highlights, Lee & Low, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House
Contract Illustrator at Amplify Education
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024
Illustrating educational children’s books/readers for print.
Illustrator at Dotdash
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Designing illustrations for multiple online media companies. Illustration subjects range from travel, food, technology, business, and healthcare. Brands include The Spruce, The Balance, Verywell Healh, Tripsavvy, and Lifewire.
Production Intern at Simon & Schuster Children’s
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Working for both Production and Management departments. Completing/organizing sales materials, gathering materials and reports for weekly meetings, reviewing Blues & Slugging.
Online Marketing Intern at HarperCollins
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018
Create newsletter design layouts, social media posts for instagram and pinterest, illustrated typographic design, merchandise design, logo design.
Contract Illustrator at Amplify Education
December 31, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Illustrating educational children’s books/readers for print.
Illustrator at Dotdash
December 31, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Designing illustrations for multiple online media companies. Illustration subjects range from travel, food, technology, business, and healthcare. Brands include The Spruce, The Balance, Verywell Health, Tripsavvy, and Lifewire.
Production Intern (Children's) at Simon & Schuster
December 31, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Working for both Production and Management departments. Completing/organizing sales materials, gathering materials and reports for weekly meetings, reviewing Blues & Slugging.
Online Marketing Intern at HarperCollins
December 31, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Create newsletter design layouts, social media posts for Instagram and Pinterest, illustrated typographic design, merchandise design, logo design.
Contract Illustrator at Amplify Education
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2024
Illustrating educational children’s books/readers for print.
Simon & Schuster Children’s Production Intern at Simon & Schuster
January 1, 2019 - Present
Working for both Production and Management departments. Completing/organizing sales materials, gathering materials and reports for weekly meetings, reviewing Blues & Slugging.

Education

Bachelor of Art in Communications Design at Pratt Institute - Brooklyn, NY
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2019
Bachelor of Art in Communications Design at PrattMWP - Utica, NY
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2017
Bachelor of Art in Communications Design at Pratt Institute - Brooklyn, NY
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2019
Bachelor of Art in Communications Design at PrattMWP - Utica, NY
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2017
Bachelor of Art in Communications Design at Pratt Institute
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2019
at PrattMWP - Utica, NY
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2017
Bachelor of Art in Communications Design at Pratt Institute
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2019
Program at PrattMWP - Utica, NY
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2017
Bachelor of Art in Communications Design at Pratt Institute
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2019
Coursework at PrattMWP
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2017

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Other