Phoebe Morris, an award-winning illustrator, originally from New Zealand, now based in LA.

Phoebe Morris (she/her) is a freelance creative and award-winning illustrator. Originally from New Zealand, she is now based in Los Angeles, California. Working independently or alongside creative teams, Phoebe has produced artwork for Google, a New York Times best selling author, a biography of NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, digital services, live performance, apparel, luxury brands, and more.

Interesting fact…With a background experience in design research and strategy, Phoebe can assist from early ideation and concept development – right through to the finished product.

Here’s where we find out more…

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

During lockdown I wrote and illustrated a short picture book to help children understand covid. It was picked up by a Pediatrician in Tokyo named Dr Kudo, who resonated with the tone and visual language of the story. She arranged to have it printed and distributed to schools and kindergartens in Japan. Japanese art and design has had a big influence on my work, so it was nice to know that it spoke to that audience.

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

Outside of books and films, I get the most inspiration from learning about natural history and the cosmos. I made a new friend who works with NASA and it has set me on an alien researching spree.

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

Climate change action. I think that illustration as a visual communication tool can do a lot in this space, and that the idea of ‘climate change’ as a whole needs a rebrand. Climate change is an amorphous massive concept, it’s difficult to comprehend. Instead of saying ‘stop climate change’ with images of trees on fire and stranded animals, we should be saying ‘stop corporate executives from making our planet uninhabitable’ next to their portraits – but you know…catchier than that.

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

Establishing my career in New Zealand required me to be a generalist. This means I am capable of working in a range of styles and across many different aspects of a project – from ideation to the final artwork. I once had someone in a meeting think that the deck I delivered had been created by an entire agency, rather than a single person.

How would you describe your style?

For clients – versatile, emotive, warm. For personal work – silly.

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

Lately I have been really enjoying risograph printing at a local studio. It is more of an ongoing hobby than a project – but eventually I would like to use it to illustrate one of my own picture books.

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

Fortunately I have already been able to do this – and it was Joan Wiffen. She taught herself paleontology during her retirement, and became the first person to excavate fossils of land-dwelling dinosaurs in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Prior to her work, people thought that there had not been any dinosaurs like these in Aotearoa. I have a signed copy of her book which originally belonged to my Grandmother, who was also a scientist.

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.