About MeHi! My name is Darya. I’m an illustrator and animator working with children’s books, character design, and visual storytelling. I love bold colours, expressive characters and humour.Who I Work WithI work with children’s publishers, writers, independent authors, creative studios, and brands looking for original illustrations and animations. I’m open to collaborations of different scales, from independent creative projects to commercial work.

01 — Understanding your project We discuss your goals, audience, deliverables and timeline. 02 — Developing the concept I explore references and develop a visual direction based on your brief. 03 — Designing and refining I develop the design and refine it through your feedback. 04 — Preparing the final files I prepare and deliver the agreed files for print or digital use.

Brief: The project is a small illustrated book based on Nikolai Gorelov’s encyclopedia of magical creatures.My Idea: As the main focus, I chose fairies and presented the most interesting facts about them through illustrations.The Result: A book that captures readers’ attention through both its story and its distinctive character design.

Brief: Create a series of illustrations for a food-themed exhibition.My Idea: I developed a series of exhibition graphics celebrating traditional Russian cuisine through the lens of the four seasons. Each season is represented by its characteristic dishes, ingredients, and cooking methods, creating a distinct visual identity and atmosphere.The Result: A cohesive series of illustrations that explores not only Russian cuisine but also the family traditions and cultural rituals associated with food.

Brief: Create illustrations for «The Little Mermaid».My Idea: Depict the mermaid in an unconventional, anthropomorphic form. Experiment with interesting compositional solutions while preserving the beauty and visual appeal of the illustrations.The Result: A book that captures readers’ attention through both its story and its distinctive character design.

Brief: Create a magical digital zoo where every child can bring their own imaginary, hand-drawn animal to life.My Idea: I created a vibrant, colourful world inhabited by extraordinary creatures. The experience is presented as a VR environment that users can fully immerse themselves in, allowing them to experience the wonder of encountering a giant crystal butterfly, a cuddly lion, and adorable plants firsthand.The Result: An engaging and memorable world that sparks curiosity and invites exploration.

Brief: The goal was to capture the spirit of parties through short animations.My Idea: I came up with humorous scenarios depicting getting ready for a party and funny situations that happen during the event itself.The Result: Bright, memorable animations with a humorous twist, portraying relatable situations that everyone can recognise.