WIA2026 Professional Winner Showcase – Jury Reflections

[Helen Ridley]

The WIA2026 Professional Winners represent the very best illustrators in the industry.

Image Credit: Yuki Uebo – Life in Glasses

With over 4,500 entries from 83 countries, these shortlisted projects showcase the amazing illustration work being created worldwide. We asked our fantastic judges for their thoughts on what made these particular winning projects stand out!

Miguel Bustos:
Carnaval Barcelona 2025​

Professional Advertising Category Winner​

A very memorable style that brings a smile on your face. it is playful, simple and feels like a creation of memorable characters.

Harsh Kapadia – Chief Creative Officer, Grey Worldwide India

Margaryta Winkler:
Dreamtracks​

Professional Animation Category Winner, sponsored by Procreate​

I love how this captures the dreamlike state travel can put you in. The wandering mind, the little things that pop out to you as you stare out the window. The sketchy style only emphasizes these feelings. Loved it.

Cari Vander Yacht – Illustrator and Animator

Alina Kovtun: Bunny – Alternative Book Cover Design​

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

I find it incredibly striking and unique. The artist uses simple shapes and forms to create a very uneasy tone and atmosphere. This cover also would absolutely pop on the shelf as well as in thumbnail size. There is tension and emotion and I find it very provocative.

Kerri Resnik -Senior Art Director, Wednesday Books / Macmillan Publishers

Eiko Ojala:
Think Yourself Young​

Professional Science & Technology Category Winner​

A very clever idea that works really well as a cover. An intriguing image that reveals more and more over time. A piece that works well both in motion and as a still image – graphically striking use of line, shape and limited colour palette that works both conceptually and aesthetically. The spiral of the stem echoes the continuous, active nature of neurological change — aging as a process the mind participates in

Beth Rakouskas – Creative Director, Science

Carolina Garzon Blanco: The World Inside Me​

Professional Children’s Publishing Category Winner​

I spent so much time exploring these illustrations, and I am sure children would as well. There is both a lightness and a depth to the artwork: lightness in the palette and sketchiness, and depth in the characters and details of their clothing and expressions. The animals could be scary, and they are certainly striking here with their empty eyes, but the artist has also made them a bit approachable, not too terrifying

Alisha Niehaus Berger – Editorial Director, NorthSouth Books

Yuki Uebo:
Life in Glasses​

Professional Design, Product & Packaging Category Winner​

The dynamic angles, and multiple lens perspectives within one illustration create a wonderful sense of movement and bring the stories—and city—to life. The vibrant colour palette is equally impressive.

Sarah Morrison – Designer, Art Director and Founding Partner at Wonder+Work

Duyen Pham:
As Time Goes On​

Professional Editorial Category Winner, sponsored by Procreate​

These illustrations were able to convey something both eerie and extremely factually accurate without feeling exploitative. I really resonated with the attention to detail in these illustrations to break down all the intricacies of these bombs and demining equipment. These really do an important job of bringing readers up close to an aspect of war they would not have seen otherwise.

Jade Cuevas – Visuals Editor, POLITICO

Yudan Ding: WARMENG​

Professional Exploration Category Winner​

This work stands out for its originality and willingness to push beyond conventional illustration approaches within the professional category. Created using 3D modelling and animation in Blender, it introduces a distinct visual language that feels markedly different from the rest of the submissions. The piece combines playful and imaginative elements with a strong sense of experimentation. The use of colour is confident and expressive, while the integration of motion and sound adds an additional layer of engagement, expanding the boundaries of what illustration can be. Despite its technical complexity, the work retains a sense of personality and creative freedom, reflecting a clear commitment to personal exploration within a professional context.


Mark Farhall – Founder of DIY Art Market Ltd

Dani Torrent: One Day, Two Weeks, Three Months…​

Professional Publishing Category Winner, sponsored by Rebelle​

These illustrations are sophisticated in form, narrative, and color. They tell the story of rarely highlighted or celebrated male affection. And they are both quiet and intimate, while vibrant, all at once. I adore how emotion is communicated via the illuminated skin-tones/colors, and the contemporary painted backgrounds and pattern. Beautiful!

Sara Schneider – Creative Director, Chronicle Books

Mark Oliver: The FAMily Discovery Centre​

Professional Site Specific Category Winner and OVERALL PROFESSIONAL WINNER​

The sheer scope of this project is something to behold. Creating both 3-dimensional characters, textured surfaces and sweeping landscapes, the space is transformed into surreal world of nature and curiosity. The landscapes in particular have a graceful geometric stylisation and an attention to detail with every surface whilst maintaining a sense of depth and space. The playful use of light and dappled shadow further transforms the space into a stylised natural world.

Clinton Campbell – Co-Founder & Director, Studio MUTI

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A big thanks to our judges for sharing their thoughts. You can explore the full WIA2026 Winner Showcase in our news section.