JAMES O'BRIEN STUDIO

JAMES O'BRIEN is an award-winning illustrator and designer based in Minneapolis, renowned for crafting both conceptual and decorative art and design. His portfolio spans a wide array of projects for editorial, advertising, and publishing clients, both domestic and international.

Commencing his illustration journey with traditional painting and drawing media, James transitioned his unique and inventive aesthetic to the digital realm, employing various apps to enhance his creations.

James's work incorporates both hand-made and digital textures, employing a refined technique that seamlessly integrates digital painting with collage. His concepts are often cleverly humorous while simultaneously encouraging contemplation through visually enigmatic solutions.

CLIENTS INCLUDE:
AARP, American Express, Barron's, Boston Globe, Christianity Today, Chronicle of Higher Education, Delta Airlines, Design Bureau, Habitat, Harvard Magazine, John Hopkins, Kiplinger's, McGraw-Hill, Microsoft, New York Magazine, New York Times, Oxford American, Pollen, Quanta, Scholastic, Smithsonian, StarTribune, Target, Time, Tufts, Village Voice, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Wiley.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS:
AIGA
American Illustration
Communication Arts
Creative Quarterly
PRINT
SBS Digital Design
Society of Illustrators, LA
Society of Illustrators, NY
Society of Publication Designers
3X3

EDUCATION:
MFA - University of Hartford, 2008
MA - Syracuse University, 2006
BFA - Minneapolis College of Art & Design, 1989