I’m Allison Cole and I love dreaming up vibrant images that reflect my playful spirit. I love working both digitally and painting with gouache. The act of creating never gets old to me, it has been a part of my life since before I can remember. Every day I look forward to getting lost in the process - brainstorming new ideas, refining compositions, and playing with color.
I have an equal love for creating both narrative imagery as well as surface design illustrations, and I am always interested in seeing the ways that they inform each other. In my narrative work, I delight in compositions filled with lots of details, color and texture, and I like to sneak in pattern whenever I can. In my surface design work, you might see a tiny detail or subject fully blown out and examined, dancing on the page waiting to be put to life on a product. I also enjoy illustrating hand lettering and conveying messages that align with my values in a concrete way. You will often see themes like kindness, mindfulness, feminism, and neurodiversity in my work, in addition to the cats and plants and flowers.
Ultimately, it is my hope that the images I create bring a smile to your face. I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and currently live in Rhode Island with my husband, son, and cat.
Over the years, I frequently hear from students looking to learn more about my illustration career. I’ve compiled the answers to some frequently asked questions here.
To commission new work, please get in touch! I look forward to working with you.
allison@allisoncoleillustration.com • 401-474-8638
To license existing work, take a look at my Surface Design portfolio. Clients can register to search my portfolio of over 300 images by key word, or browse by collection theme.
Clients Include
Target
Hasbro
CVS
Snapchat
Scholastic
Houghton Mifflin
West Elm
Peaceable Kingdom Press
Pufies
Camelbak
Badge Bomb
Nike
American Greetings
Galison/Mudpuppy
Madison Park Greetings
Tiny Prints
American Girl
Family Circle
Quarto Publishing
Washington Post
Digitas
Jack Morton
Carson Dellosa
Faber-Castell
Little, Brown
PBS Fabrics
Keds
Papyrus
The Land of Nod
Camelot Fabrics
Teaching and Speaking Engagements
I love sharing the knowledge I have gathered over the years with people of all ages and backgrounds. I am passionate about helping to inspire and excite people with all the possibilities art, illustration, and living a creative life has to offer.
I have taught BFA undergraduates at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI, as well as at Mass College of Art and Montserrat College of Art. My classes typically focus on combining real-world industry skills with creative self-driven projects.
In addition to teaching, I have also given artist talks and workshops for colleges, conferences and websites. I love leading specialized workshops and talks that focus on career-enhancing skills. Please contact me regarding teaching or speaking opportunities!
Domestika, Art Licensing 101: Build Your Illustration Career / 2021
St. Andrew’s School, Visiting Artist and Artist Talk / Barrington, RI 2020
Assets for Artists, Mass MoCA, The Art of Licensing / Webinar 2020
Assets for Artists, Mass MoCA, The Art of Licensing / Workshop 2019
Modern Thrive, The Business of Illustration / Webinar 2016
RISD Alumni Services, Licensing Your Art / Webinar 2016
Flow Magazine Workshop / NYC 2015
ICON 8 Illustration Conference, Pattern Workshop / Portland OR 2014
Make It In Design Masterclass / Online Workshop 2014
New Hampshire Institute of Art Visiting Artist Talk / Manchester, NH 2013
Make Art That Sells Interview / Online Workshop 2013
RISD Museum, Locally Made Artist Talk / Providence RI 2013
RISD Art of Business Conference, Speaker / Providence RI 2013
Montserrat College of Art Artist Talk / Beverly, MA 2013
