Laura McKellar Is a Visual Storyteller

Laura McKellar’s creativity runs through her veins. The Austrian creative works full time as a graphic designer and illustrator, with her projects often including art direction, print, packaging, branding, and lettering. “I have a passion for crafting unique brand expressions through visual storytelling and functional design,” reads her short bio. “My projects are approached with conceptual and strategic thinking, creating work that is considered, charismatic and beautiful.”

Her work also involves some experimentation with different mediums. Not one to shy from arts and crafts, McKellar’s work has a handmade feel to it, often incorporating mediums like embroidery, watercolors, and collage-work.

“I don’t think you can have the same emotional connection with another bought object that you can with a handmade present you receive from a loved one,” she reflected on the benefits of handmade objects in an interview with Pikaland. “It holds a much higher sentimental value that cannot be replaced. The time someone puts into handmade work is very precious and I value that.”

A common theme throughout her work is nature-meets-human, with guest appearances of anthropomorphic characters. “Anthropomorphism (animals adopting human characteristics), humans with animal features and human interacting with animals are reoccurring themes in my work,” notes McKellar. “I grew up watching Disney and more recently Studio Ghibli and reading picture books like Beatrix Potter stories which show similar concepts.”

According to McKellar, she approaches her work the way a child might—imagining a world where animals and people live together in harmony. “I am very interested in the relationship and I very strongly believe animals should be given a voice,” she stresses. “This is the reason I express these concepts in my work. It does make me smile looking at an illustration of a Hare wearing a cable knit jumper or a gorgeous girl with a bird nest for hair!”

Recent projects include a tiny Christmas ornament of hat-wearing seagull and a pillowcase showcasing the flowers of Australia. Scroll down to see more of her work: