About Cecilie Okada

As an award winning designer and illustrator, my clients include major publishing houses and companies in Norway, as well as international publishers (English and German language). In the last two years I have created art calendars for one of Norway’s largest book clubs, Energica. The commercial success was duplicated in one of Sweden’s major book clubs, Livsenergi.
Designing a children’s bed linen pattern for Høie of Scandinavia that sold well and was used in a trend expo, inspired both the creation of patterns and the Lilly Fairies. My work as an illustrator range from the literary field, packaging for major brands, brochures and technical illustrations for the aviation sector.
I have illustrated several books that include literary titles as well as text book series for children, youth and adults.
As a graphic designer I have worked in-house for the Civil Aviation Authority, and served a diverse range of own clients, including web design, also collaborating with the accounting chain Visma.

I earned a Bachelor of Design in New Zealand in 2002, where I lived for ten years.

In 2005 I won an award for The Most Beautiful Book of the Year with the cover illustration for a book of Japanese love poetry; fitting, as my husband is Japanese. When we fell in love, it was the forbidden love of a yogi nun and monk. I spent 14 years of my life serving underprivileged children in Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico, founding a children’s home and preschools in slums and villages. I also taught meditation and yoga.
I still meditate daily. It is a source of creative inspiration that I cherish greatly.

As of August this year, we have moved from Norway to Kobe in Japan.

This multicurtural background makes my "authentic Nordic designs with Oriental passion" exclusive!

"...brilliant illustrations"

- Louise Hay, international bestselling author

"An exciting and beautiful world..."

- Aftenposten, nationwide Norwegian newspaper