I am Silvia Alba, a multidisciplinary visual designer and illustrator who blends art with information to tell compelling stories. I collaborate with organizations to distill complex ideas into accessible visuals and to bridge linguistic barriers. I have a background in linguistics and design, and my work spans illustration, visual facilitation, data visualization, brand identity, and video production. I volunteer regularly with Sister's House in Brussels, supporting homeless refugee women, and I co-founded initiatives like BXL Refugees and Less Walls to humanize refugee experiences through art, theatre, and community programs. My practice combines research-driven approaches with hands-on prototyping and UX-focused visualization to help clients imagine and apply emerging technologies.…

Silvia Alba

I am Silvia Alba, a multidisciplinary visual designer and illustrator who blends art with information to tell compelling stories. I collaborate with organizations to distill complex ideas into accessible visuals and to bridge linguistic barriers. I have a background in linguistics and design, and my work spans illustration, visual facilitation, data visualization, brand identity, and video production. I volunteer regularly with Sister's House in Brussels, supporting homeless refugee women, and I co-founded initiatives like BXL Refugees and Less Walls to humanize refugee experiences through art, theatre, and community programs. My practice combines research-driven approaches with hands-on prototyping and UX-focused visualization to help clients imagine and apply emerging technologies.…

Available to hire

I am Silvia Alba, a multidisciplinary visual designer and illustrator who blends art with information to tell compelling stories. I collaborate with organizations to distill complex ideas into accessible visuals and to bridge linguistic barriers. I have a background in linguistics and design, and my work spans illustration, visual facilitation, data visualization, brand identity, and video production.

I volunteer regularly with Sister’s House in Brussels, supporting homeless refugee women, and I co-founded initiatives like BXL Refugees and Less Walls to humanize refugee experiences through art, theatre, and community programs. My practice combines research-driven approaches with hands-on prototyping and UX-focused visualization to help clients imagine and apply emerging technologies.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Dutch
Beginner
French
Advanced
Arabic
Beginner
Italian
Advanced

Work Experience

Co-Founder at The City is our Playground
June 1, 2020 - Present
Co-founded a social enterprise to help people identify with and explore their cities through creative engagement. Develop programs and installations that promote diversity, integration, and belonging, translating urban themes into accessible visual experiences. Responsibilities include concept development, project facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and delivering adaptable design solutions for public spaces.
Designer and Illustrator at Self-Employed
August 1, 2016 - Present
Over 10 years of multidisciplinary design experience, focusing on illustration and graphic facilitation. Collaborate with organizations to distill complex information into visual stories, bridging linguistic barriers and solving problems with design methods to promote positive social impact.
Animator/ Illustrator at First Move Productions
June 1, 2020 - Present
Collaborating on documentary film projects that start conversations around social issues; responsibilities include animation, illustration and visual storytelling for screen.
Art Teacher at British Red Cross
May 1, 2020 - Present
Developed a series of art and illustration sessions for unaccompanied refugee minors to tackle mental health and use drawing as a meditation practice. Classes are delivered online and with different youth groups across the UK.
Senior Innovation Designer at the Applied Innovation Exchange (AIE) at Capgemini
August 1, 2016 - October 22, 2025
Led groups of developers, designers and business analysts to create prototypes and proofs of concepts to enable clients to embrace innovation as an enterprise capability.
Visual Facilitator at Accelerated Solutions Environment (ASE)
June 1, 2015 - October 22, 2025
Worked with clients to bring creative briefs to life, facilitating collaborative experiences through illustration, animation, graphic recording, concept branding and video production.
Freelance Designer at Wallpaper* (Freelance)
November 1, 2011 - October 22, 2025
Freelance designer providing visual content and design support for Wallpaper*.
Freelance Designer/Illustrator at silviadraws.com
January 1, 2015 - Present
Multidisciplinary design work focusing on illustration, graphic facilitation, visual storytelling, branding, visualisation, and video production for international clients.
Founder at Less Walls
April 1, 2021 - Present
Founded a non-for-profit focusing on community engagement through artistic practices; partners include The City of Brussels, the VUB university and Cultureghem.
Co-founder at BXL Refugees
January 1, 2019 - Present
Co-founded a collective to humanise the stories of refugees through art and theatre and fundraising for this cause.
Design Lead at Accelerated Solutions Environment - Capgemini
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Helping clients realise and apply emerging technologies through prototyping, UX design and visualisation methods.
Volunteer at UsHumans
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2017
Contributed to multidisciplinary design projects as part of the UsHumans initiative.

Education

MA, Psycho & Neuro Linguistics at Vrije Universiteit Brussel
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2021
BA, Design at Goldsmiths, University of London
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2011
Foundation in Art and Design at University of the Arts London Foundation
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2008
MA Linguistics at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2021
at Goldsmiths University London
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2011

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Other
    uniE621 Live portrait artist
    Sit, smile and let me do the rest. Add something a little different to your event with live portraits. As a live portrait artist, I create quick, expressive sketches on the spot, capturing people in a relaxed and playful way. Each drawing is made in the moment, becoming both entertainment and a personal takeaway. Perfect for weddings, parties, corporate events, and brand activations in Brussels and beyond. https://www.twine.net/signin…
    uniE621 Live illustration for the European External Action Service​​​​​​​
    For this two day event I was invited by the European External Action Service (EEAS) to capture conversations around media, resilience, and digital information. Bringing together journalists, fact-checkers, editors, content creators, and researchers from around the world, the event focused on sharing ideas and best practices for navigating Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). illustrator liveillustrator graphicrecorder graphicartist visualfacilitation visualharvesting…