Anna Simmons – Illustrator Specialising in Maps, Hand Lettering, and Visuals That Explain
Need to clarify complex ideas, guide your audience, or connect emotionally? Then here I am!
I help people find their way, visually, emotionally… and sometimes literally - in the case of maps.
I deliver results that are lively, warm, and nostalgic.
Crafted with care but in a manner that feels carefree.
If you’re looking for illustrations that clarify your message and express your tone, let’s chat!
Hello, I’m Anna and I Use Drawing to Work Things Out
We all draw as children - it helps us make sense of the world and show how we see it. And I think it still works that way, even when we’re older.
I use visuals to make ideas and scenes easier to understand- not by stripping them back, but by illustrating the interesting details. I’m really into history and gathering those cultural cues and olden-days styles that we all remember from somewhere.
I love unpicking briefs and exploring how illustration can help people make sense of things; through maps, visual stories, or lettering that captures the right tone of voice.
My Journey
I began my professional life (after graduating in 2006) as an artwork studio assistant in London. It was there that I got hooked on lettering and maps, and used to meeting deadlines. Since then, I’ve taken on all sorts of projects, from conference graphics to pin badges, for clients around the world.
I’m now back in Wales where I grew up, living the mountain life with my cat Biddy (she agreed to quit the city too) and my gardener husband Andrew.
Clients I have Worked With
I layer my illustrations from colour, texture, imagery and letterforms . Take a look at my portfolio to explore my approach:
Words from Happy Collaborators
Lauren Atkinson-Smith – Deputy Art Director, National Geographic Traveller UK
Working with Anna was a dream, she always understood the brand and the brief, and produced carefully considered and beautifully illustrated work every issue. Her artwork was not only impactful enough to provide a beautiful visual introduction to the feature, but was also an informative reference map. I've got a real passion for Anna's handwritten type, too. I'm always looking for excuses to work with her again!
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Brett Warnock – Publisher and Editor, Kitchen Table Magazine
Working with Anna was a real honor. Not only did her final work deliver as I was hoping it would, but the process was super fun, and exceeded expectations. As an art director, my main ask from an illustrator or storyteller is to be a good listener and then bring their own ideas and skills to realize a vision—collaborating with Anna is an editor/publisher's dream.
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Lauryn Sanford – Senior Manager, Special Events, Alley Theatre, Texas
Anna was an absolute pleasure to work with on this project! We appreciate how open she has been to our ideas and feedback and how quickly she turned around the deliverables. THANK YOU!!!!
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Curious about how illustration commissions work? Take a peek into the process:
Interested in Collaboration?
If you’re working on something that needs a thoughtful, visual approach, I’d love to hear more.
Fill out the form, or email me here and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Looking forward to connecting!
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