Alyah Holmes

Open-minded, professional and easy to work with, Alyah’s style is suitable across categories – from award-winning children’s books through to advertising, packaging and editorial. With a Bachelor of Design degree from York University and Sheridan College in Canada, she quickly grasps what agencies and big brand clients want to communicate and then the ideas flow. Black culture and being a woman are central to her creativity, and Alyah aims to communicate that experience, history and culture through her work. The 90s Hip Hop scene and life by the tropical seaside are also important influences. Based part of the year in Ontario and part of the year in Florida, she works with clients everywhere.

Approach

Each project begins with Alyah compiling her best ideas and references, then sketching on paper or on her iPad. The imagery is vectorized in Adobe Illustrator to add colour, texture and detail, and sometimes going back to Procreate on the iPad for finishing.

Key Software

Adobe Illustrator, procreate

Style

Alyah’s style is always bold and impactful, with bright, contrasting colours and big, organic forms, but there are always touches of intrigue and playfulness. In some cases, she relies solely on colourful forms, in others line work and texture will bring depth to the piece.

Awards

2023 - American Illustration 42 2022 – Canada Book Awards - Illustration 2022 – Favourite Design Awards - Packaging 2018 – Adobe Design Awards – Commercial – Semi-finalist 2018 – Adobe Design Awards – Packaging Semi-finalist