Ema Ferreira's weird and whimsical world

Ema Ferreira is a Portuguese artist based in London, working across illustration and animation. She studied at The Glasgow School of Art and Pratt Institute in New York and is passionate about children’s literature, creating imaginative universes filled with vibrant, otherworldly characters who may appear strange or intimidating at first, but ultimately reveal warmth and complexity.

When she isn’t drawing, Ema enjoys tending to her extensive plant collection, playing board games, and getting lost in the children’s book section.

Let's find out more about Ema, where she gets her inspiration from, how her process works, and more:

What would you say is your best piece of work / collaboration to date, and why?

One of my favourite projects was a commission for the author Hollie McNish. She challenged me to create a 2D animated short film in response to a poem present in her latest book ‘Slug: and other things I’ve been told to hate’. The poem, “the morning after”, describes the anxiety and search for a missing piece after one loses their virginity. I had a lot of fun translating her fast paced and rhythmic reading of the poem into movement and colour.

Where do you like to go to be inspired, or how do you find your inspiration?

I love all things weird, I will dive into alien space movies or deep ocean documentaries for inspiration for my characters. My community and being in nature is another big source of inspiration for me! Spending a day with friends and family always bring me characters and ideas that eventually make their way into my illustrations.

Is there anything you'd say you would be a good advocate for? Please elaborate if so.

I’m very interested in science and the environment. My first children’s book “Moon Tales”, is a conversation with the moon about planet earth and how it has changed over time. It's an engaging way to spark an appreciation for nature and teach the next generation how we can live in better harmony with our environment.

What would you say sets you apart from other illustrators? Something you feel is unique to you.

My vibrant otherworldly creatures who may look strange or intimidating at first, but always reveal they are not 100% good or evil which makes them non-binary and relatable.

If you have done paid commissions prior to joining the agency, what would you say is something that clients repeatedly come to you for (up to now)?

Clients repeatedly come to me for visual identity and character creation. Recently I worked with a fintech start up WinCharge in developing their brand around a mascot, WinBot. It was a fantastic opportunity to build a comprehensive illustration system that used engaging characters to tell the brand's narrative.

How would you describe your style?

I'd describe my style as very colourful and cheerful, a whimsical world populated by alien-like characters. While most of my work is digital, I also love to swap the screen for carving tools and create linocut prints. I'm drawn to the simplicity and limitations of linocut - having to reduce an image to its most essential shapes is a super satisfying process.

Please give a scenario of a project that would mean the world to you, if you were offered it - something that connects to something meaningful to you.

I would love to create a family of alien characters, complete with their own story and world, perhaps for the packaging of a snack or a drink can.

Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?

I'm currently revisiting a project from my university days—a children's book called "Sandman." It tells the story of Mel, a child who doesn't want to go to sleep. Mel decides to capture Sandman but soon faces the reality of a sleepless world and must go on an adventure to fix it. This book is for the 5-8 age group, and it's been exciting to work on it again with new experience under my belt!

Finally, if you were to illustrate a book related to a real life person, who would that be?

Another big interest of mine is feminist history and the hidden powerful women, their struggles and conquests. I would love to illustrate the life of the artist Artemisia Gentileschi for her great resilience and art. Another story I have dreamt of telling, is the one of Sardinian judicessa Eleonora d'Arborea. I came across her name while at NoceFresca’s Artist Residency in Sardinia and her life’s story fascinated me.

If you’d like more info, please contact [email protected]

At illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.