Describe your image
Welcome.
I’m Rachel, the illustrator behind Yellow Tiger. Collaborating with clients to create purpose-driven projects is what I love to do most. Clients like my strong communication and consistent on-time delivery of unique creative solutions. My expressive illustrations are playful, contemporary and accessible.
Growing up in Devon, I moved to London in 2006 to study at Central Saint Martins and Goldsmiths, University of London. After 9 colourful unicorn-filled years as a graphic designer at stationery brands including Paperchase, Yellow Tiger was born.
I’ve created illustrations and designs for clothing, schools, theatre productions, social enterprises, greeting cards, art prints and animated gifs. In 2021 I received a formative and invaluable Association of Illustrators Mentorship with Jenni Sparks, leading me to prioritise personal work, creative play and giving me energy and inspiration for other projects.
Creating distinctive work in a thoughtful way is central to my practice. I work one on one with my clients and exchange ideas and feedback at each stage of the project. Clients regularly give feedback through google or anonymous forms, enabling me to review my performance and continually grow. I’m responsible for daily operations, marketing, process development, project management, and client relations.
I’m committed to becoming anti-racist in all areas of my life, which right now means actively learning and engaging with Black history, conversations with my family, supporting Black businesses, choosing fonts from Black designers, drawing Black characters, and investing time and money into equality and diversity.
A few fun facts about me:
I love music and always have a CD on repeat in my studio.
I’m bisexual.
Outside of the studio, I can be found unleashing my creativity playing piano or mixing cocktails.
I’m a single mum.
Inspiration comes from everywhere, from wildflowers to stickers on lamposts.
Some of my favourite things are lego, swimming, and coffee.
Education
2006-2007
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London, UK
Foundation Studies in Art and Design
2007-2010
Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK
BA Design 2:1
“I spent 6 months in 2021 mentoring Rachel around her illustration career. She is extremely proactive, organised, with a great eye for design and illustration, not to mention very pleasant and professional to work with. We specifically worked on getting her to embrace more of her personal work around the struggles and joys of being a single mother, and her honest and funny illustrations led to her getting commercial work in the children's sector. Saying that, she is a very versatile illustrator with great design skills as well so I firmly believe she can work on any subject matter that might be required for a job.”
Jenni Sparks, Illustrator and AOI Mentor
January 2022
Selected Press & Interviews
Positive Wellbeing Magazine Issue 15 - March 2022
Positive Wellbeing Magazine Issue 14 - November 2021
Print and Pattern Blog - June 2021
Resilient Kids Space - April 2021
Support My Work