From studying architecture to becoming an editorial illustrator, Olga Aleksandrova, exclusively represented by Art Lab Agency, uses her talent to simplify complex science and medicine articles through her art. 

Her journey in the creative world began at fourteen where she sold her drawings at art fairs. At the time, she did not consider art as her career and chose to study architecture. During her studies, she discovered how closely architecture worked with the creative field and realised that the best way to mix art and commercial is through illustration. 

Now as a full-time editorial illustrator, Olga’s art style features vibrant and metaphorical illustrations with long movements, structured compositions, and sharp edges, reflecting her architectural knowledge.

Her favourite project by far was with the Washington Post, which featured a story of a journalist’s grandmother. This article was of the grandmother’s special chicken soup recipe made with dumplings for the food section. This piece warmed Olga’s heart, as it reminded her of her own grandmother’s chicken soup. With both women in mind, Olga composed an illustration based off her own grandmother in her honour. 

However, her true passion for illustration came with science.

‘Everyone in my family have strong careers in medicine or engineering. I am the exception, but science still fascinates me.’

Olga uses her skills as an illustrator to translate and unravel complex ideas in a manageable way for people to understand through metaphorical language. 

‘I really enjoy presenting a subject through metaphor in all my works. I see how important it is to help explain complicated topics such as cancer, nutrition, and medicine. I love supporting science and see it as my way to help by visually presenting it in an understandable way.’ 

An example of her metaphorical illustrations can be seen in her piece for the Harvard Business Review, where Olga was tasked with illustrating financial artworks. For this, she took inspiration from music and illustrated a concert composer conducting a band of money, coins, and credit cards instead of musicians. 

Whilst her personal colour palette consists of warm shades of pink, orange, beige, and gold, Olga strongly believes in using a colour palette that mirrors the feeling or tone of the project assigned to her, unless the brand has a specific request.

Though currently based in Central Asia, Olga, her husband, and their dog find themselves moving each year. Exploring and embracing different cultures and surroundings are Olga’s biggest source of inspiration.

‘I enjoy the nomad life. It helps me acknowledge that I am a small part of this gigantic world.’

She hopes to continue working for brand projects and expand her portfolio for advertising. She finds that it helps that she is fluent in English, Russian, German, and Turkish as often no one needs to translate the text for her. Her biggest dream would be to work with the New Yorker magazine. 

You can find Olga illustrations on Art Lab Agency’s website https://artlabagency.com/hola-olga or on their Instagram page @artlabagency. You can also follow Olga on her personal Instagram page @holaholga_illustration 

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Maria Schmidt is a writer and painter based in Chester. Invited back by the University as a Learning Facilitator immediately after completing her degrees in Literature, Creative Writing, and Fine Art, Maria Schmidt dedicates her time in helping others, improving her own craft and developing creative projects. Fluent in four languages, has a background in dance and theatre, Maria is incredibly fascinated by the arts and determined to promote others and their own work. She has high ambition in paving a way for herself in both the world of Traditional Painting and Publishing.