Looks like you have JavaScript disabled. For the full Twine experience, you will need to re-enable it.

Hello! I’m Joe Figueroa, an Aurora-based illustrator and graphic designer with a passion for storytelling through visuals. I collaborate with editors, authors, and publishers to develop book ideas from concept to completion, designing both covers and interior pages. I work across hand-drawn and digital styles, coordinating with printers and suppliers to ensure a polished final product. In addition to children’s books, I’ve created art for educational publishing, toys, packaging, and branding for a diverse clientele. I enjoy blending traditional drawing with digital tools to deliver engaging visuals on tight timelines while maintaining a friendly, collaborative approach with clients and teams.…Hello! I’m Joe Figueroa, an Aurora-based illustrator and graphic designer with a passion for storytelling through visuals. I collaborate with editors, authors, and publishers to develop book ideas from concept to completion, designing both covers and interior pages. I work across hand-drawn and digital styles, coordinating with printers and suppliers to ensure a polished final product. In addition to children’s books, I’ve created art for educational publishing, toys, packaging, and branding for a diverse clientele. I enjoy blending traditional drawing with digital tools to deliver engaging visuals on tight timelines while maintaining a friendly, collaborative approach with clients and teams.

Joe Figueroa

Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Children’s Book Illustrator, +4





Hello! I’m Joe Figueroa, an Aurora-based illustrator and graphic designer with a passion for storytelling through visuals. I collaborate with editors, authors, and publishers to develop book ideas from concept to completion, designing both covers and interior pages. I work across hand-drawn and digital styles, coordinating with printers and suppliers to ensure a polished final product. In addition to children’s books, I’ve created art for educational publishing, toys, packaging, and branding for a diverse clientele. I enjoy blending traditional drawing with digital tools to deliver engaging visuals on tight timelines while maintaining a friendly, collaborative approach with clients and teams.…Hello! I’m Joe Figueroa, an Aurora-based illustrator and graphic designer with a passion for storytelling through visuals. I collaborate with editors, authors, and publishers to develop book ideas from concept to completion, designing both covers and interior pages. I work across hand-drawn and digital styles, coordinating with printers and suppliers to ensure a polished final product. In addition to children’s books, I’ve created art for educational publishing, toys, packaging, and branding for a diverse clientele. I enjoy blending traditional drawing with digital tools to deliver engaging visuals on tight timelines while maintaining a friendly, collaborative approach with clients and teams.

Available to hire

Hello! I’m Joe Figueroa, an Aurora-based illustrator and graphic designer with a passion for storytelling through visuals. I collaborate with editors, authors, and publishers to develop book ideas from concept to completion, designing both covers and interior pages. I work across hand-drawn and digital styles, coordinating with printers and suppliers to ensure a polished final product.

In addition to children’s books, I’ve created art for educational publishing, toys, packaging, and branding for a diverse clientele. I enjoy blending traditional drawing with digital tools to deliver engaging visuals on tight timelines while maintaining a friendly, collaborative approach with clients and teams.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Art Creation Specialist/Illustrator at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

March 1, 2023 - Present

Responsible for conceptualizing and creating illustrations for tech education materials in both online and print formats. Tasks include generating hand-drawn or digital artwork from concept to completion, agile training implementation, branding design, image editing and manipulation, and pagination for publications.

Illustrator/Graphic Designer at Island Genius/Hapinest

January 31, 2023 - August 25, 2025

Created original artwork for domestic and international clients including toys, games, product designs, packaging, and labeling for an award-winning toy company. Performed image editing and photo manipulation, managed multiple project deadlines, and coordinated with printers and suppliers on production and final appearance.

Illustrator/Graphic Designer at Smith Southwestern Souvenirs

May 31, 2019 - August 25, 2025

Produced original hand-drawn and digital artwork for various clients, preparing artwork for screen printing and designing packaging and product labels for merchandise. Developed concepts for nationwide apparel campaigns and efficiently handled multiple deadlines while maintaining effective communication with management and suppliers.

Illustrator/Graphic Design/Tech Support at Action Illustrated

April 30, 2017 - August 25, 2025

Created original hand-drawn artwork and digital vector illustrations using Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw. Worked with clients nationwide to provide custom vector designs. Provided technical support to staff and customers related to company software and hardware, artwork, and Corel Draw. Coordinated print production and artwork finalization with production teams and suppliers.

Illustrator/Graphic Designer at 99designs

May 31, 2016 - August 25, 2025

Produced original hand-drawn and digital artwork for marketing campaigns including email advertisements. Edited projects using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Managed and delivered multiple projects efficiently within a team setting.

Art Creation Specialist/Illustrator at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

March 1, 2023 - Present

Concept and creation of illustrations for tech education (online and print). Hand-drawn and digital artwork from concept to completion, branding and marketing tasks, image editing, pagination, and leading testing/evaluation of AI generation models.

Illustrator/ Graphic Designer at Island Genius/Hapinest

January 31, 2023 - October 4, 2025

Original artwork for domestic and overseas clients; hand-drawn or digital artwork from concept to production; toy, game, and product design; packaging and labeling design; image editing and photo manipulation; coordinating with printers and suppliers.

Illustrator/ Graphic Designer at Smith Southwestern Souvenirs

May 31, 2019 - October 4, 2025

Original artwork for a wide range of merchandise; hand-drawn or digital artwork from concept to completion; packaging and labeling; screen-print readiness; multi-country campaigns.

Illustrator/ Graphic Design/ Tech Support at Action Illustrated

April 30, 2017 - October 4, 2025

Created original hand-drawn and vector artwork; provided technical support and coordination with printers and suppliers on project estimates and final appearance.

Illustrator/ Graphic Designer at 99designs

May 31, 2016 - October 4, 2025

Developed hand-drawn and digital artwork; produced marketing illustrations for email campaigns; managed multiple projects within a team.