Monster Riot are the collaborative talents of Catherine McDaid and Jason Ruddy. They make quite the duo; Catherine creates plush toys and Jason illustrates. Their styles work so well together, with their fun colours and simple shapes. It’ll be interesting where their brand will take them next! They have already exhibited in Berlin, San Francisco and Paris. Clients include Nike, Pictoplasma and Digital Artist Magazine.

Federico Mariani is an Italian illustrator, toy designer and graphic designer. I like his minimalist toys, which use just simple shapes, nice colours and interesting facial expressions. His illustrations include infographics, maps, children’s books and more. Clients include Mondadori Ragazzi, Edizioni EL, Editoriale Scienza, Grani & Partners/Preziosi Collection, Big & Small Peluches, and Ellepi baby apparel.

In 2008 Iro Tsavala graduated with an MA in Communication Art & Design from London’s Royal College of Art. Since then, she has combined freelancing and lecturing. Iro is a brilliantly creative and intelligent person who lives and breathes a certain style and it comes through in her work. She is a hands-on illustrator, using a mixture of techniques such as screen printing and collage. This approach, accompanied with her unique style gives her work an identity which is recognisable as her own. She also creates some wonderful ‘creatures’, an ongoing series of one-off soft toys. Being a very good friend of mine, she is currently making one for my new born son (and I can’t wait to see the result!)

Her clients include The Guardian, Laurence King and YCN.

To see more, visit her website.