Art Directors Panel: Marikka Tamura

Marikka's book, Penguins Don't Wear Sweaters

Marikka Tamura is an Art Director at Penguin Books and author of Penguin's Don't Wear Sweaters. She started working in publishing in 1999 as a designer.

The last two years have impacted the landscape of children's book illustrations. These changes have been reflected in how illustrators show up. The rise of awareness and inclusion has shaken up the illustration community.

 

Despite the challenges of the last two years, Marikka's team has produced multiple titles, most notably, Jacqueline Woodson's, The Year We Learned to Fly. It was honored with the 2020 Schneider Family Book Award by the American Library Association, among a host of other awards.

 

  

Here are questions answered from the panel Q&A.

Where you do you find talent? 

Marikka finds illustrators through https://www.womenwhodraw.com/ and Instagram to find new talent. 

What changes have you seen in illustration? 

There's been a shift toward digital illustration. Original artwork has become more difficult to manage since people are no longer in the office. 

Has communication changed with artists? 

Marikka has seen one artist in-person, but most artists communicate via video. 

Do you keep illustration samples?

Marikka keeps samples in folders from various artists. If you're planning to email art directors, showcase your best work upfront! Keep trying and put your best foot forward.

Marikka Tamura is an art director and designer at Penguin Books for Young Readers where she works for two imprints, G. P. Putnam’s Sons and Nancy Paulsen Books. Over her more than twenty-five years in the industry, she’s lucky to have worked with many of the pillars of children’s literature and is equally excited to work with up-and-coming artists. She is a published author. She lives and works in New York City.

Missed this workshop? Check out the video archives here. https://www.scbwi.org/event-summer-conference-2022/video-archive/

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