Genna Blackburn — Cute Vector Illustrator for Children's & Surface Design

It could be the way the sun smiles down on the world below, or the happy clouds tied together with rainbows, or even the cheerful cats, birds, fishies and rabbits that stand ready to entertain you. Whatever it is, Genna Blackburn’s illustrations will charm you with their simplicity, encouraging a gentle sense of positivity and a warm feeling inside.

The secret to Genna’s unique style is her willingness to listen to her childhood self in the creative process. She draws whatever she feels like drawing on a daily basis – characters and environments that are innocent, accessible and comfortable, in colours that tantalise. And this is why her work has such broad appeal. Clients know what to expect and Genna delivers, using her past experience as a graphic designer to ensure she meets the brief accurately and delightfully. Based in Michigan, Genna has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wayne State University in Detroit. In addition to her successful career as an illustrator and surface designer, she is now an educator herself, helping young artists develop their skills and find their own creative voices. What she learns by teaching also enhances her own practise.

Approach

Genna loves crayons and sometimes projects begin as playful drawings, freely exploring where the brief might take her. The best routes are then redrawn in Procreate before being honed as finished vector artwork in Illustrator.

Key software

Procreate and Adobe Illustrator.

Style

“I like to describe my style as a playful exploration of colour and shape stemming from my background in graphic design,” says Genna. The result is optimistic and fun, with flat, clean forms for instant clarity and appeal.