OTILIJA STRIMAITYTĖ
ILLUSTRATOR / BOOK DESIGNER
OTILIJA STRIMAITYTĖ
Illustrator and Book designer
from Kaunas, Lithuania
I am an illustrator and book designer whose work explores memory, intimacy, childhood experiences, daily rituals, and emotional connections between people. I am interested in how personal memories can become universal stories in which the viewer recognizes a piece of their own experience.
For me, illustration is more than an image – it is a way to tell, preserve and re-experience. In my work, I often combine drawing, text, book form and materiality, looking for ways to make a story not only visible but also felt. I work with watercolor, colored pencils and digital techniques, and in my works, the imperfections of handmade work and visible traces of the creative process become an important part of the visual language.
I perceive a book as a single work, in which illustration, typography, paper, rhythm, empty space and the act of reading itself create a common experience. I am close to a gentle, nostalgic and sometimes playful visual language in illustration. Even when talking about sensitive topics, I try to leave room for warmth, humor and curiosity. I strive to create works that not only tell a story, but also encourage a person to stop for a moment, remember, feel, or look at familiar things
in a slightly different way.
EDUCATION
2024-2026
Master's degree studies "Illustration and Contexts"
Vilnius Academy of Arts,
Kaunas Faculty
2020-2024
Bachelor's degree in Applied Graphics
Vilnius Academy of Arts,
Kaunas Faculty
2020-2024
Secondary education
Kaunas Maironis University Gymnasium
2008-2024
Fine Arts Studies
Kaunas Antanas Martinaitis Art School
2007-2020
Basic education
Kaunas Simonas Daukantas Progymnasium
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2024-present
Coordinator of the Department of Graphics
Vilnius Academy of Arts
Kaunas Faculty
-
Coordination and administration of the daily activities
of the Department of Graphics; -
Organization/coordination of exhibitions, creative workshops
and other department activities; -
Communication with students, teachers, artists
and external partners; -
Organizational and visual management of the department's events
and projects preparation or coordination -
Administration of the department's social networks.
2024-present
Teaching Assistant/Academic Activities
Vilnius Academy of Arts
Kaunas Faculty
-
Assistance to teachers during lectures and practical sessions;
-
Preparing and delivering presentations to students about the history of comics and graphic novels;
-
Conducting preparatory courses
"Fundamentals of Graphic Composition".
2023
Practice
-
During the internship, professional experience was gained in the fields of graphic design and visual communication.
CURATORIAL AND PROJECT ORGANIZATION EXPERIENCE
2025
"First Edition" – Book Art Exhibition
National MK Čiurlionis Art Museum, Kaunas
-
Exhibition coordination activities.
EXHIBITIONS AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
2026
-
An original illustration has been selected for the Tartu Illustration Festival exhibition "Bright Memory", taking place at the University
of Tartu Library.
2024
-
The exhibition presented publications reflecting Kaunas modernist architecture. The publication "Undertones of History".
2022-present
"Researcher's Notes. Kaunas Modernist Architecture" Outdoor exhibition, "Vingiu Dubingiu Aludė", Kaunas
-
Participation in a long-term group outdoor exhibition, which displays photographs depicting a Kaunas modernist architectural building chosen by the author.
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCES
Illustration
Editorial illustration
Children's illustration
Visual storytelling
Character design
Graphic storytelling
Concept development
Book and publication design
Book design
Typography
Layout and composition
Book cover design
Preparation for press release
Graphic design
Visual identity
Print design
Poster and publication design
Visual communication
SOFTWARE
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Procreate
LANGUAGES
Lithuanian (native)
English C1