About me
Ciao, I’m Chiara Vercesi, an Italian illustrator based in Amsterdam.
I’ve lived many lives as a creative, working across design, games, and art direction, but illustration has always been home.
These days, my work spans across editorial and commercial projects, with a strong focus on Science & Health. I love bringing empathy into complex topics and believe that even the most technical subjects deserve to be told in a warm and accessible way.
In 2018, I co-founded Sail Ho Studio, a collective of illustrators and designers. Since 2024, I’ve also co-run ILLUMINATE, a community for creative professionals in Science, Health, and Tech, together with my British illustrator buddy, Ollie Hirst.
When I’m not busy working with clients, I dedicate time to making the illustration industry more accessible for emerging talent through mentoring sessions, portfolio reviews, and lectures.
My work has been recognized by The Society of Illustrators (NY and LA), Communication Arts, The Association of Illustrators, Autori di Immagini, and others.
Beyond the drawing board, I’m usually chasing good conversations, tending to my plants, or listening to music. I live in Amsterdam but don’t bike, and though I’m Italian, I happily drink cappuccino after 11 am.
Thanks for stopping by and get in touch: hello@chiaravercesi.com
Awards & Recognitions
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American Illustration 44 - Selected Winner
Illustration West 63 - Selected
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American Illustration 43 - Chosen Winner
Society of Illustrators 66 - Selected
Illustration West 62 - Selected
Autori di Immagini - Selected
Communication Arts - Shortlisted
World Illustration Awards - Longlisted
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World Illustration Awards - Science & Technology Category Winner
Communication Arts - Award of Excellence
American Illustration 42 - Selected Winner
Autori di Immagini - Silver Medal
Addy Awards - Silver
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World Illustration Awards - Advertising Category Winner
Society of Illustrators 64 - Selected
Global Healthcare Illustration Awards - Shortlisted
American Illustration 41 - Chosen Winner
Autori di Immagini - Selected
Communication Arts - Shortlisted
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Creative Quarterly 66 - Honorable Mention
World Illustration Awards - Shortlist
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Creative Quarterly 62 - Honorable Mention
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Indigo Award - Gold Medal
People I have worked with
The New York Times, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Nature, The Lancet, Scientific American, BBC Science Focus, Quartz, Politico Europe, Harvard Public Health, Smithsonian, Science Magazine, Coca-Cola, Facebook, Deloitte, WWF, Philips, Eni, Barron’s Magazine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, University of California, TU Delft, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, The Hollywood Reporter, Port of Rotterdam, Politecnico di Milano, William and Mary University, Alberta University, Navdanya International, Al Majalla, Fondazione Humanitas, Boston College, US Postal Service
and more…
My Domestika Course
Create a series of illustrations based on a single theme, while developing design skills, awareness of your personal style, and the ability to argue your choices.
As an illustrator, working on a series is a complex and rewarding process that invites you to delve into each and every element of a theme, while at the same time ensuring coherence throughout.
In this online course, I'll guide you in creating a coherent and impactful series of illustrations, helping you to develop designs, your own voice, and a more complete and diverse portfolio.
The course is subtitled in English, Spanish and other 6 languages.
Talks & Shows
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Lecture – Visual Arts Program, Iowa State University, USA
Accade Ora: gli effetti del cambiamento climatico sulle Alpi - Collective Show - BlitzArt project curated by Associazione Musei Ossola
Illuminate – Agents Panel – Online Event by Ollie Hirst and Chiara Vercesi
Identifying Your Voice – Lecture by Ollie Hirst and Chiara Vercesi, College of Art, University of Wales
Illuminate – New Talent Showcase – Online Event by Ollie Hirst and Chiara Vercesi
Illuminate – Portfolio Reviews & Mentorship Sessions – Online Event by Chiara Vercesi and Ollie Hirst
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Society of Illustrators 66 – Collective Exhibition, New York, USA
About Illustration… – Lecture, International Illustration Program, NABA Academy, Rome, Italy
Collective Exhibition – Beijing International Book Fair, Beijing, China
Illuminate – Pro Showcase – Online Event by Chiara Vercesi and Ollie Hirst
Illuminate – Art Directors Showcase – Online Event by Chiara Vercesi and Ollie Hirst
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Lime Art’s 50th Anniversary Conference – Talk, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (NHS), Manchester, UK
Illustration Mentor – The Arena UK Mentorship Program, UK
About Illustration… – Lecture, Visual Arts Program, Iowa State University, USA
American Illustration 42 – Collective Exhibition, New York, USA
WIA 2022 Winners – Touring Collective Exhibition, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Nanchang, Fuzhou, and Ningbo, China
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Life as an Illustrator – Lecture, Avans Hogeschool, Breda, The Netherlands
Interview – Pixel Show Creative Conference, São Paulo, Brazil
Society of Illustrators 64 – Collective Exhibition, New York, USA
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Friends with Benefits – Talk, Sail Ho Studio, Pixel Show Creative Conference, São Paulo, Brazil
How Not to Be the Next Client from Hell: Creating an Effective Creative Brief – Lecture, Nyenrode University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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De Eerste – Sail Ho Studio Exhibition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Galleria Summertime – Collective Exhibition, Associazione Illustri, Vicenza, Italy
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ING Creatives Conference – Creative Market & Exhibition, Dubai, UAE
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Drawn to the Music – Collective Exhibition, Society of Illustrators, New York, USA
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Behance Portfolio Review – Event Organizer, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Behance Portfolio Review – Event Organizer, Amsterdam, The Netherlands