Spotlight Interviews with the World Illustration Awards 2026 Winners

[Helen Ridley]

Explore these insightful interviews with the World Illustration Awards 2026 winners.​

Image Credit: Mark Oliver ‘The FAMily Discovery Centre’ – Overall Professional Winner

Yung Hsuan Wang​

New Talent Exploration Category Winner​

‘A Teatime That Will Not Repeat’​

Where do you usually work?

I usually work in my studio, but some of my best ideas come while walking through the streets, collecting colours, shapes, and everyday moments that inspire my work.

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Mark Oliver​

Professional Site Specific Winner and OVERALL Professional Winner​

‘The FAMily Discovery Centre’​

Why did you choose to enter this work?

The project’s underlying philosophy that ‘We Are All Connected’ is both pertinent and relevant. Taking 6 years from initial brief to completion, I am proud to have been instrumental in its success.

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Dani Torrent​

Professional Publishing Category Winner​

‘One Day, Two Weeks, Three Months’​

What’s your favourite thing about your winning project?

Every moment of the creative process has been a pleasure, but the dialogue with the audience has been the most rewarding experience, showing me the power and meaning of illustration as a language.

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Bryan Perez​

New Talent Book Covers Category Winner, sponsored by London Book fair​

‘Death of A Salesman’​

What’s your favourite thing about your winning Project?

It’s everything I enjoy about picture-making! It’s melancholic, it’s conceptual, it’s simple, but it tells the story that I want it to tell.

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Alina Kovtun​

Professional Book Covers Category Winner, sponsored by London Book fair​

‘Bunny: Alternative Book Cover Design’​

How long did it take you to make your project?

I was thinking about the composition while reading the book. I spent about eight hours on the final illustration. I drew it right after I finished the book, and I think that’s why it feels so alive.

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Lepo​

XPPen Digital Innovation Cross Category Award Winner​

‘Gowtu‘​

Why did you choose to enter this project?

I chose this work because it explores my Surinamese roots and is very close to me. It felt special to share it with the World Illustration Awards and see where it could take me.

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Yuki Uebo​

Professional Design Product & Packaging Category Winner​

‘Life In Glasses’​

What excites you most about being selected as a winner?

I’m excited to see this commissioned project reach new audiences and show how illustration can become part of a brand’s world.

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Margaryta Winkler​

Professional Animation Category Winner, sponsored by Procreate​

‘Dreamtracks‘​

What excites you most about being a winner?

It’s very reassuring to have renowned industry professionals that make up the jury recognize a project I poured so much love and work into.

View the full interview here

Caro Gabo​

Professional Children’s Publishing Category Winner​

‘The World Inside Me‘​

What’s your favourite thing about your winning project?

Is that it reflects the cultures of the Indigenous peoples of my country, while also showing how their worldview shares common threads with those of Indigenous communities around the world.

View the full interview here

Annie He​

New Talent Design Product & Packaging Category Winner​

‘Crafted Heritage: Gamble House Silk’​

Where do you usually work?

I’m based in Los Angeles and work from my studio, libraries, museums, historic sites, and coffee shops. On-site research is important, so I visited the Gamble House several times.

View the full interview here

Cyris Lo​

AOI Members Award Winner​

Rhythms Of The Street Market​

Why did you choose to enter this project?

The street markets in Hong Kong represent a unique visual culture, embodying a chaotic yet beautiful charm—vibrant voices, colorful sights, rich aromas, and the interactions.

Read The Full Interview Here

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All interviews can be found here and they are also linked with the winning projects, which can be viewed here at the WIA2026 Online Showcase.. Check out the News section for comprehensive cover of our fantastic winning projects.