I’m Maria Borodina, an illustrator and book concept creator!

What can i do for you:
— Develop complete, original book concepts (from historical non-fiction to interactive picture books).
— Use traditional techniques (gouache, graphite, printmaking) to give projects a unique, tactile feel.
— Expand book worlds into cohesive merchandise lines, including zines, textiles, and ceramics.
— Turn complex research and factual data into engaging visual narratives.I create detailed visual worlds for publishing houses, independent brands, and cultural projects. My work combines deep visual research with a multidisciplinary approach. I always think beyond a single illustration and focus on delivering production-ready, cohesive concepts that solve business tasks and create an interactive experience for the reader.

The Concept

What if Thumbelina was exactly one inch (2.54 cm) tall on every page? In this visual reinterpretation, all plants and environments are drawn at a 1:1 real-life scale. Thumbelina acts as a visual ruler, introducing children to actual botany. For example, if a water lily leaf is 6 inches long, you can fit exactly six characters on it, creating a frame-by-frame mini-animation of her swimming.

The Concept

«Growing Letters» is a visual story about a walk through a Botanical Garden, told through a dual narrative. While a child notices leaves, scents, and fruits, the adult is immersed in thoughts, fatigue, and doubts. Instead of simply illustrating words, the letters gently guide the reader toward their meanings, creating a layered story for both children and parents.

Visual Language & Technique

To separate these two worlds, I used traditional gouache to create the soft, naive environment of childhood, contrasting it with sharp graphite strokes that represent the adult’s inner experiences.

Beyond the Book: A Tactile Experience

For publishers and concept stores, a book is just the beginning. I expanded this visual universe into physical, tactile objects designed for sensory learning and home decor. The «Textile Alphabet» uses the softness of felt to help children feel the letters, not just see them.

Merchandising Potential

To demonstrate the project’s commercial scalability, I designed a complete lifestyle collection: from ceramic tea sets and tableware to tapestries, pillows, and thermo-stickers. This adaptable visual system is ready for mass production and perfectly suited for museum shops, bookstores, and design markets.

The Concept

«I love listening to a bug digging in a little box.» Inspired by this quote from classic children’s literature and my own childhood memories of collecting insects, this project reimagines a book as a tactile «matchbox.» It is an interactive educational zine designed to help children explore spatial environments and natural ecosystems through play.