Hi, I'm Olha (Olya) Tkachenko, an award-winning illustrator and book designer with over 15 years of experience delivering complete, high-quality visual storytelling for the international publishing market. I specialize in children's literature, character development, and intricate multi-language layouts. I'm a versatile creative professional who bridges traditional classical fine arts with expert digital proficiency to manage book projects seamlessly from initial sketch to final print-ready production. I'm known for exceptional client retention and a collaborative approach to bringing authors' visions to life. In my freelance practice, I lead book production for 30+ children's books, design covers and interiors, create bilingual layouts, and craft engaging marketing visuals, websites, and social media to help authors promote their work. I collaborate with authors, self-publishers, museums, and publishing houses, delivering cohesive print and digital design and mentoring fellow creators along the way.…

Olha (Olya) Tkachenko

Hi, I'm Olha (Olya) Tkachenko, an award-winning illustrator and book designer with over 15 years of experience delivering complete, high-quality visual storytelling for the international publishing market. I specialize in children's literature, character development, and intricate multi-language layouts. I'm a versatile creative professional who bridges traditional classical fine arts with expert digital proficiency to manage book projects seamlessly from initial sketch to final print-ready production. I'm known for exceptional client retention and a collaborative approach to bringing authors' visions to life. In my freelance practice, I lead book production for 30+ children's books, design covers and interiors, create bilingual layouts, and craft engaging marketing visuals, websites, and social media to help authors promote their work. I collaborate with authors, self-publishers, museums, and publishing houses, delivering cohesive print and digital design and mentoring fellow creators along the way.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Olha (Olya) Tkachenko, an award-winning illustrator and book designer with over 15 years of experience delivering complete, high-quality visual storytelling for the international publishing market. I specialize in children’s literature, character development, and intricate multi-language layouts. I’m a versatile creative professional who bridges traditional classical fine arts with expert digital proficiency to manage book projects seamlessly from initial sketch to final print-ready production. I’m known for exceptional client retention and a collaborative approach to bringing authors’ visions to life.

In my freelance practice, I lead book production for 30+ children’s books, design covers and interiors, create bilingual layouts, and craft engaging marketing visuals, websites, and social media to help authors promote their work. I collaborate with authors, self-publishers, museums, and publishing houses, delivering cohesive print and digital design and mentoring fellow creators along the way.

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Language

English
Fluent
Ukrainian
Fluent

Work Experience

Graphic Designer at 2BY4GTA Newspaper, Mississauga
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2018
Developed the newspaper's corporate visual identity from scratch, establishing branding standards, grid structures, and typography; managed tight daily publishing deadlines to output structured, clean, and print-ready editorial advertisements and news layouts.
Freelance Illustrator/Graphic Designer at Freelance
October 1, 2016 - Present
Illustrated, designed, and prepared for printing more than 30 children’s books in 4 years Led the creative process during the concept development phase for each project, including research, brainstorming, character development, freehand sketches, client audits and corrections, design, layout, etc. Developed style guides in print and digital work Produced a variety of book and commercial illustration styles and assets to be used for print and digital Reviewed and implemented client feedback, ensuring alignment with branding and creative direction Designed and supported the company’s website Developed social media strategy and content for the website and social media channels
Museum Developer/Graphic Communication Designer at Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Saskatoon
June 1, 2015 - September 30, 2016
Developed a marketing strategy that raised the flow of visitors to the Museum by 20% Illustrated and designed marketing materials (brochures, cards, book covers, etc.) Contributed to the development of creative ideas and their realization behind the museum’s visual branding Collaborates and communicates with the director, business manager, and team members to develop unique assets for 2D graphic design projects, printed and digital, for internal and external projects.
Museum Developer & Graphic Communication Designer at Ukrainian Museum of Canada
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2016
Designed high-impact print and digital marketing collateral, including promotional brochures, educational materials, and illustrated souvenirs; led targeted marketing campaigns expanding community outreach and increasing museum attendance by 25%; planned complex visual layouts and 2D graphic assets for textiles, historical crafts, and fine art gallery exhibitions.
Freelance Illustrator & Visual Artist at Self-employed / Freelance
January 1, 2014 - Present
Directed the full artwork and design process for 30+ children's books, collaborating with self-publishers and established publishers; designed covers and interiors, formatted text, and prepared print-ready files for POD platforms; served as the main illustrator for a book series, created memorable characters, and ensured a consistent art style across titles; developed bilingual layouts and built the agency website and social media graphics to promote new titles.
Freelance Designer/Illustrator at Freelance
January 31, 2008 - February 28, 2014
Provided custom children’s book illustrations in diverse digital and traditional styles for authors and regional publishers. Guided independent creators through the entire self-publishing process, from early character drafts to final print-ready layout architecture. Designed custom interior decorations, stage sets, and costume concepts for regional projects and events. Applied classical fine art principles to transform physical and theatrical spaces from initial sketch to full installation.
Freelance Illustrator & Visual Artist at Self-employed / Ukraine
December 30, 2007 - December 29, 2014
Book Production: Directed the full artwork and design process for over 30 children's books, collaborating with both self-publishers and established publishing houses. Complete Book Design: Designed and created covers and book interiors, formatted text, and prepared files for clean, professional printing on POD platforms. Series Illustration: Worked as the main illustrator for a book series, creating memorable characters and keeping the art style consistent across every book. Bilingual Layouts: Handled the tricky spacing of side-by-side, dual-language books so the text fits perfectly around the illustrations. Web & Social Media: Built and updated the agency website and designed social media graphics to help authors promote their new books.

Education

Diploma in Visual Arts, at Fine Arts School, Kremenchuk, Ukraine
September 1, 1985 - June 10, 1991
Visual Fine Arts program included classic course in drawing, painting, composition, sculpture and history of arts
Bachelor's Degree, Christian Theology, 2006-2010 at UETS, Kyiv, Ukraine
October 10, 2006 - July 10, 2010
Education in Theology, history and social studies
User Experience Design Certificate at BrainStation, Toronto
October 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
Public Art Mentorship Program at SUMO Project + DEXD, Toronto
January 1, 2025 - June 11, 2026
User Experience Design Certificate at Brain Station, Toronto
January 1, 2019 - June 11, 2026
Bachelor’s Degree at UETS, Kyiv, Ukraine
January 1, 2010 - June 11, 2026
Certificate Program in Interior Design & Decoration at ESDE, Kharkiv, Ukraine
January 1, 2006 - June 11, 2026
Diploma in Classical Visual Arts at Classical Visual Arts School, Ukraine
January 1, 1991 - June 11, 2026

Qualifications

Hiii illustration 2020
January 1, 2020 - April 1, 2020
Bologna Children's Book Fair 2024
January 1, 2024 - April 1, 2024
Hiii illustration 2025
January 1, 2025 - April 1, 2025
The Hiii Illustration International Awards (formerly the Hiii Illustration International Competition) is a prestigious annual global illustration contest organized by Hiiibrand. Established in 2012, it aims to celebrate outstanding human creativity and discover exceptional illustrative talents from around the world.
Bologna Children's Book Fair 2024
January 1, 2024 - April 1, 2024
The Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF), held annually in Bologna, Italy, is the world's leading professional trade fair dedicated to children's publishing.
Public Art Mentorship Program
January 1, 2025 - June 11, 2026
User Experience Design Certificate
January 1, 2019 - June 11, 2026
Certificate Program in Interior Design & Decoration
January 1, 2006 - June 11, 2026
Diploma in Classical Visual Arts
January 1, 1991 - June 11, 2026

Industry Experience

Professional Services, Education, Other, Non-Profit Organization, Travel & Hospitality, Media & Entertainment
    Series of Bilingual picture books with traditional Ukrainian folktales

    A series of bilingual picture books for children with popular Ukrainian folktales retold and illustrated by Canadian Ukrainian artist Olha Tkachenko. Each book has text in both Ukrainian and English, so the books can be used for learning the Ukrainian language and culture at home or in schools. Kids love reading books because of their bright, modern, funny illustrations and a lot of dialogue. The creation and publishing of the series is supported by grants from the Shevchenko Foundation, Canada.
    At the moment, the series includes six books: “Kolobok”, “The Ear of Wheat”, “Turnip”, “Mitten”, “Sirko” and “Mr. Catsky”.

    https://www.twine.net/signin

    The Cat with the Crooked Tail: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers

    I was the illustrator for this book in the Dance-It-Out! series, where I brought the main characters to life and created all the interior artwork to match an interactive story that gets kids up and moving. I’ve actually illustrated several books for this independent publisher, so I’m really used to capturing that sense of movement and energy in my drawings to keep young readers engaged. This project is a great example of how I collaborate closely with authors, tell stories through art, and reliably deliver clean, print-ready illustration files for an ongoing series.
    https://www.twine.net/signin

    Soy un Superheroe Autista / I am an Autistic Superhero

    I handled the complete visual execution—spanning cover design, interior illustration, and full book layout—for Soy un Superhéroe Autista / I am an Autistic Superhero, a bilingual children’s book dedicated to neurodiversity awareness. My role involved translating sensitive and empowering themes into engaging visual narratives that captivate young readers while managing the technical complexities of a side-by-side bilingual layout. From the initial character concepts to the final print-ready files for Amazon self-publishing, this project demonstrates my ability to deliver cohesive, market-ready book design from cover to cover.
    https://www.twine.net/signin

    Peas in a pot
    A beautiful family story of relations between a grandfather and his two granddaughters. Based on real events. The series of illustrations supporting the text are based on reference photos of the characters and locations. They express the warm family atmosphere and the joyful memories of the family members illustrator designer bookdesigner…