Roanna/Ro Farmer, a multi-disciplinary creative based in Montreal

Roanna/Ro Farmer is a multi-disciplinary creative from the UK, currently based in Montreal. With her very distinct style and varied ideas, she works at the intersection of illustration, graphic design and mural art.   

With themes of community, friendship and nature, her illustrations are character-driven, playful narratives and often have a naive quality. Her design experience spans branding, web design, editorial, and events. She values collaboration, believing the most powerful stories come from inclusivity and embracing diverse experiences.

Here’s where we find out more…..

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

I’ve been collaborating with Brica Brac, a salvaged goods store, for the past six years, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to build such a long-term relationship based on trust and creative freedom. They gave me some of my first illustration and mural opportunities, which I’m endlessly grateful for, and have played a meaningful role in my creative journey. I genuinely love their store and, as a big advocate for second-hand culture, always have so much fun working with them.

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

I love to go to thrift and antique stores. Often I’m looking at vintage and retro packaging, homeware, book covers and textiles fabrics. I might spot a fun colour palette, a cute motif, or interesting typography that sparks the urge to create. I also love to go to museums, galleries and the library. It feels really good to find inspiration in physical objects, such as books or a painting.

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

Like I mentioned, I’m a huge fan of the library and see it as an essential free resource in our society. I borrow books, use it as a second workspace and make use of affordable resources like printing and free Wi-Fi. It feels like a real pillar of the community, which is something I always try to reflect in my work. A few other things I really value are shopping local, second-hand culture, public transport and bike-friendly cities.

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

I would say my style and perspective feels genuine and uniquely me!

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)?

I think clients come to me for colourful, joyful representations of diverse communities and friendship.

How would you describe your style?

Character-driven, playful, naive, bold, colourful, whimsical.

Please give a scenario of a project that would mean the world to you — something that connects to something meaningful to you.

One of my best friends and I have talked for years (since we were in secondary school!) about writing and illustrating a children’s book together about a bee. It was one of the first times I ever thought about illustration as a career, so it would be a bit of a full circle moment, and so rewarding to do it with one of my closest friends.

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

I’ve always loved creating risograph prints and other printing processes. This year I want to explore and experiment making printed matter in the form of small publications and zines. I’m eager to spend time exploring paper structures and book-binding, and to create something physical beyond a print. So keep an eye out for that!

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

It might sound a bit cheesy, but I’d probably illustrate a book about my friends and the community around me. I’m much more inspired by the people in my everyday life than by someone I’ve not met. Their stories and shared moments feel much more meaningful to me. I’d also enjoy telling a story from the perspective of an animal or an object, something that lets me explore the world from an unexpected point of view.

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.