Olivia de Castro
@oliviadecastroart / oliviadecastro.myportfolio.com
Pronouns: she/her/ella
Where are you from?: Brooklyn, NY
Race/Ethnicity: Native / Native American, Black / African American, Hispanic / Latinx
Languages: English
Where do you currently work at?: Self Employed as a Freelance Illustrator
One favorite book you've designed and why?: My latest book 'Great Idea Malia' comes out in September and I'm immensely proud! I worked with the negative space more and I think my brushwork really shines, especially for the cover.
How did you get into design?: I wen to art school at Pratt Institute. Before that, I had been drawing since I was a baby. It's something I've always wanted.
What do you like about being a book designer in publishing? : I love the collaborative effort that goes with making a book; it's not just me, it's a whole team.
Tell us a surprising fact about you?: Even though my work is finished digitally, I always strive to make my brushwork and textures by hand with traditional mediums like pen and ink, watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil.
What did you learn about publishing that you wish you knew before? : The industry is smaller than you think! Everyone knows everyone, so you have more connections than you realize.
What's one goal you have for yourself in this industry?: I want to be a full time freelance illustrator, primarily working in children's publishing. However, I also want to be well known enough so I can get commissioned work from all different kinds of outlets.
How did you get into the industry? Internship, career switch, tell us your story :): I started as a small contractor position at Scholastic. I got that job through LinkedIn, but afterwards I was able to work in other publishing houses through my connections at Scholastic (aka my friends at work). Through word-of-mouth and their recommendations, I was able to get other design jobs at Hachette and Abrams.
How do you overcome a creative block?: I distract myself with hobbies completely unrelated to art, like sports, fashion or cooking. I need to give the art side of my brain a break.