Hello! My name is Lauren Kelso and I’m an Award-Winning Freelance Illustrator based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

WHAT I DO

Every day is different and I love the variety! My job consists of creating illustrations for clients/businesses including Galgorm Resort and Fairhill Shopping Centre, commissions for customers, hosting solo & collaborative workshops with other businesses, stocking my products in approx. 15 current stockists across the UK and selling my products online.

In 2025, I was delighted to be featured in the Belfast Telegraph 30 Under 30 List. I graduated from Ulster University in July 2023 with a First Class Honours Degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. Following graduation, I was selected to be one of the Graduates in Residence for the Illustration course at Ulster University Belfast School of Art where I completed the First Steps to Teaching course, delivered a range of presentations and workshops to the illustration students and shared my experiences.

MY ILLUSTRATION STYLE

I love to be experimental within my Illustration practice, using a range of analogue and digital methods to create illustrations ready to be displayed in their context. To create my illustrations, I often use ink with a cocktail stick alongside created paper textures for collage and this makes my work stand out, resulting in fun, textured and intuitive outcomes which many know and love. I don’t always know what the end result will look like - and that’s part of the fun! I have crafted an illustration process that I trust and I really enjoy the journey.

When working with clients, I tailor my work to suit their individual needs for the desired outcome whilst still keeping my illustration style intact. If you have any projects in the works and would like to find out more info, please feel free to contact me through the form on my website or email info@laurenkelsoillustrator.uk and I’d love to discuss further!