Pattern of red tulips and white flowers with green leaves on a yellow background.
Pattern of red tulips and white daisies with orange centers on a yellow background.
Row of colorful painted flowers including red tulips and white daisies on a yellow background.
Pattern of red tulips and white daisies with green leaves on a yellow background
Pattern of red tulips and white daisies with green leaves on a yellow background.
Repeating pattern of red tulips, white daisies with orange centers, and green leaves on a yellow background.

Let’s chat

Whether you're reaching out about a creative collaboration, school visit, speaking event, or just want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you! Fill out the form or email me directly at hello@anooshasyed.com.

For serious publishing inquiries, please contact my agent, Taylor Martindale Kean, at Full Circle Literary.

Not sure if your question is a fit? Check out my FAQs for quick answers.

An illustration by Anoosha Syed featuring a girl with a traditional outfit sitting next to a colorful tiger, surrounded by floral and geometric patterns. The artwork showcases her vibrant and detailed style in children's book illustration.

  • My name is pronounced ah-NOO-shah SAY-yid

    You ‘say it’ like Syed. :) You can find a pronunciation recording here.

  • I was born in Pakistan, but I moved around quite a bit growing up. I have so far lived in Dubai, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Toronto, and now settled in Dallas, Texas.

  • I briefly attended the American University of Sharjah, studying Visual Communication. I hated it, and quit after a semester. I then received my BFA in Illustration at Ceruleum Ecole d’arts Visuels in Lausanne, Switzerland. It’s a three-year intensive art program taught in French.

  • My process for each book is slightly different, but I have made several videos going over my process in detail! You can find a playlist here.

  • All serious inquiries can be sent to my agent at taylor@fullcircleliterary.com. I’m afraid I don’t take on self-published projects.

  • During my last year in art school I illustrated a mock picture book as part of my senior thesis and created an online portfolio with my best work. I submitted that portfolio to dozens of publishers, magazines, stationery companies, etc, and cold-emailed art directors and editors. I submitted to contests and calls to art and constantly updated my social media with new work. I went to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair with my class, handed out business cards to publishers, and showed my portfolio for reviews. I also signed onto an illustration agency that I had previously submitted online to.

    In my last semester at art school, I was very fortunate to have gotten an offer to illustrate my first picture book through that agency. After graduating, a publisher I had met up with at the Bologna book fair I mentioned earlier also offered me a book project.

    After I graduated and moved to Canada, I initially worked full-time at an animation studio, but worked on picture books in the evenings. After a few years, I realized my true calling was publishing, so I made a career shift. The rest is history.

  • Check out my guide on how to start your career!

    Make sure you have an online portfolio (preferably with a domain name, but not required). It should be clean, professional and easy to navigate with your best pieces. Have art samples in your portfolio that reflects the kind work that you want to be doing. Wanna illustrate books but haven’t yet? Illustrate a mock piece specifically for your portfolio, like sample pages of a fairy tale or mock book covers!

    About 80% of my clients find me through social media. I try to maintain a strong online presence, regularly posting online to increase exposure and networking with colleagues, possible clients etc. I also table at conventions like TCAF and Lightbox Expo.

    Make a list of places you want to work with and cold email. If you are not getting any responses, create fresh work for your portfolio and then repeat.

frequently asked questions

Pattern of red tulips and white flowers with orange centers on a yellow background.
Pattern of red tulips and white daisies on a yellow background.
Pattern of red tulips and white daisies with yellow backgrounds.
A repeating pattern of red tulips and white flowers with orange centers on a yellow background.
Pattern of red tulips and white daisies with yellow centers on a light yellow background.
A border pattern of red tulips and white daisies with green leaves on a yellow background.
A vibrant watercolor illustration of a traditional rickshaw by Anoosha Syed. The three-wheeled vehicle features an ornate canopy with floral patterns and intricate detailing in shades of pink, green, and gold. Tassels and stars add a whimsical touch.

Services I Offer

  • Looking for bold, expressive illustration for your next project? I work across books, editorial, character design, surface + product illustration, and more.

  • I love visiting schools (virtually or in-person!) to talk about books, creativity, and my journey as an author/illustrator.

  • From universities to conferences, I offer engaging talks, workshops and panels on creativity, career building, and representation in children’s publishing.

  • Need engaging, authentic content for your brand or campaign? I offer creative partnerships with a focus on storytelling and illustration.

  • Let’s bring my artwork to your products! I’m open to licensing collaborations across stationery, textiles, home goods, and more.

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A delicate floral illustration by Anoosha Syed, featuring a pink flower with yellow dots at its center and a curved stem with small golden-green leaves. The design has a soft, hand-drawn feel.