Hi, I’m Maria Lia Malandrino — but most people online know me as Memo!
I’m an Italian author-illustrator, character designer, and digital art educator based in Turin. I create heartfelt, character-driven illustrations for books, games, animation, and creative humans of all ages. Whether I’m drawing moody thief girls with a secret soft side or developing educational content about forgotten women artists, my work aims to balance magic, emotion, and meaningful storytelling.
I didn’t go to art school—in fact, I have a BA in Magazine Publishing from the University of the Arts London. But I always knew I wanted to tell stories that matter. After freelancing in editorial and layout design, I transitioned into the animation and illustration world, studying Traditional Animation and Storyboarding at the International School of Comics and CGMA.
During this time, I also discovered my passion for science communication, creating educational content that won the Bristol Science Film Festival in 2017 and collaborating with organisations like Animate Your Science and the EU Commission on projects ranging from marine conservation to multilingual health education.
Since 2017, I’ve worked as a full-time illustrator, creating books and products for brands like Disney, Dungeons & Dragons, Little Golden Books, Lucky Charms, Clementoni, and Penguin Random House. Increasingly, I’m drawn to projects that combine beautiful storytelling with social impact - from anti-racism children’s books to LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream publishing.
My focus today is split between publishing, visual development, teaching illustration, and using my platform to amplify important stories and underrepresented voices.
“Don’t devalue yourself and your art. Instead of doing low-paid gigs, focus on building your portfolio—then the right paying clients will find you.”
“A character must be first of all charming... and charm doesn’t mean conventionally ‘pretty.’”
What I Love Drawing
My illustration style is expressive and storytelling-focused, with a love for magical realism and bold characters. I grew up devouring fantasy comics like W.I.T.C.H., and that blend of Disney aesthetics and manga emotion still influences me today.
I love drawing characters with big eyes, dynamic poses, and emotional range. My work increasingly explores themes of identity, representation, social justice, and transformation - whether that’s through published books like “My Lucky Skin” (celebrating racial diversity) or my viral Instagram series educating people about forgotten women artists and LGBTQ+ history.
I’m passionate about making complex topics - from science to social justice - accessible and engaging through visual storytelling.
When I’m not drawing, you’ll find me in the forest with my partner and our dog, hunting mushrooms and photographing moss like it’s a national sport.
Skills & Tools
-
Character design, picture books, fantasy visual development, story development, teaching digital illustration, science communication, educational content creation
-
Photoshop and the full Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, Toon Boom and Storyboard Pro
-
Xencelabs 24’’ with a MacStudio 2023 and iPad Pro 2nd gen (2020) for remote work
-
Fluent in English & Italian, conversational Spanish & French
Interviews & Press
21 Draw Interview
My career path and industry advice
Talking charm, style, and storytelling
ForArtists Substack interview
Character Design References
Character Design Process Features
Selected Works
Recent Social Impact Publishing:
• ‘Chappell Roan: A Little Golden Book’, Penguin Random House, 2025 - LGBTQ+ representation
• ‘It’s Her Story: Billie Jean King’, PI Kids, 2024 - Women’s empowerment in sports
• ‘My Lucky Skin’, Aseh MD, Brown Books Kids, 2021 - Anti-racism children’s book celebrating skin diversity
Other Notable Projects:
• ‘Where’s Stitch?’ Easter Special Edition, Walt Disney x Bonnier Books, 2025
• ‘DnD, The Perfect Party: a Little Golden Book’, Wizards of the Coast x Penguin Random House, 2024
• ‘Le Cercle des chevaliers series’, Hachette, 2023-present
• ‘Mystère en Belgique’ series, Auzou Belgique, 2022-present
• ‘Disney 100 movie moments’ Colouring book, Igloo Media, 2023
• ‘Character design collection: heroines’, 3D Total Publishing, 2021
Awards & Recognition:
• Bristol Science Film Festival Winner (2017) - “Just a Touch”
• EU Commission Collaboration - Multilingual health education project
• Viral Educational Content - Instagram series on women artists (2,800+ shares
•
Beyond Commercial Work
• Beyond Commercial Work
I believe art should do more than just look pretty - it should open minds and hearts. That’s why I regularly create educational content about overlooked artists, contribute to advocacy campaigns, and choose projects that promote inclusion and representation.
My science communication background has taught me how to make complex information accessible and engaging, skills I now apply to social justice topics through my illustration work and social media presence.
Representation
Advocate Art proudly represents me for publishing, licensing, and character design.
For commissions, publishing inquiries, educational projects, or art talks, please reach out via my Contact page or through my agent Harry Bloom.
