Anoosha Syed illustrates for children’s books of all kinds. She has worked with authors like Karamo Brown of Queer Eye, author Aisha Saeed, and superhero story authors Benjamin Harper and Sarah Hines Stephens.
Syed’s artistic content spans far and wide outside of children’s books as well. For example, Syed designed the Google Doodle celebrating Pakistani actor Waheed Murad’s birthday on October 2nd, 2019.
In addition, she has earned a name for her fanart, including modernized Disney Princesses, posters for The Incredibles 2, and reimaginings of the Harry Potter trio.
Anoosha Syed mixes original work and classic imagery
For anyone familiar with the Huffington Post, Harry Potter fanart, or children’s literature, Syed’s work may not be new. Her illustrations have been featured in multiple exhibitions and fifteen books.
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Syed’s contribution to the tobeyou exhibition hosted by the Light Grey Art Lab, which she describes as “an expression of my culture; a duality of east and west.”
Syed’s series of modernized Disney princesses, with Mulan featured above, got her some buzz in Bustle and Nerdist.
Anoosha Syed’s reimagining of the Harry Potter trio; Hermione Grainger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley.
Anoosha Syed drew the Google doodle for Pakistani actor Waheed Murad’s 81st birthday.
Global experience fuels new horizons
Born in Pakistan, Syed has lived all over the world. Right now, she works out of Canada.
“For the most part I moved from country to country because of my dad’s job (so far I’ve lived in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Dubai, Switzerland, Texas and Canada),” she tells the Light Grey Art Lab. “I’ve switched from living in the east and west, having to adapt to a new environment and culture every time like a chameleon.”
Syed’s start as an illustrator was during her last year at Switzerland’s Ceruleum Ecole d’arts Visuels where she created a mock book for her senior thesis and was offered to work on a book during her last semester.
However, Syed does, like all artists, sometimes feel blocked.
“If I ever have artist’s block, the best thing to do is to stop working for a while,” says Syed. “I don’t draw, I try to get out for a bit.” This had led her to take on other hobbies, such as embroidery.
Anoosha Syed teams up with big names in children’s lit
Syed recently worked with Karamo Brown of Netflix’s Queer Eye. She illustrated his book, called “I Am Perfectly Designed.” It features a boy and his father exploring the city while finding out more about themselves as well.
Front cover of I Am Perfectly Designed
Recently, Syed also contributed to a book called “Other Words for Home”. It centers on the story of a young girl immigrating from Syria to the US.
Another one of Syed’s most recent works, available for preorder here, is called “Rise Up and Write It!”. The book features a story of a young girl rallying her friends and neighbors to save the local butterflies.
See more of Syed’s lovely illustrations here.
