Today we’d like to introduce you to Jannie Ho.
Jannie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started out majoring in illustration in art school but when I graduated there were little full time positions for illustrators. So I started to work as a graphic designer at various children’s publishers. After a few years, I wanted to return to my love of illustration and started to build my portfolio. I eventually got an art agent and a few years after that, left my job to illustrate full time. That was almost 10 years ago.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was definitely not a smooth road, but looking back I can see where one point led to another. The decision of leaving a nice job with health insurance and benefits was a hard one. The illustration business can be fickle, as being a freelancer has its ups and downs. I can have a lot of work at one moment and not a lot at the next. Self-doubt creeps in and can mess with one’s mind. But I’ve learned to ride the roller coaster now- financially and mentally.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Jannie Ho/ Chickengirl Design story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m an illustrator specializing in the children’s publishing industry. My work spans from children’s book, toys, giftware, tableware, apps, and much more. All for the young (and the young at heart.) I’m also the author of Bear and Chicken- a picture book recently published by Running Press Kids. I’m known as Chicken Girl online- because I love chickens! I enjoy telling stories, humor, color and patterns- this work sets me apart in the ability to cross over many industries.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
There is a lot of talk right now about having more diversity in children’s books. I hope the next generation of parents who buy children’s book demand a need for this by showing it with their wallet. The industry is trying and there are lots of authors and creators making amazingly diverse books. But ultimately it is a business.
Pricing:
- Bear and Chicken by Jannie Ho – $16.99
- Vehicle ABC by Jannie Ho $6.99
- Violet Rose and the Surprise Party by Jannie Ho $8.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chickengirldesign.com
- Email: jannie@chickengirldesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chickengirldesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChickengirlDesign/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jannieho
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
