MAYA P. LIM
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SFPL Summer Stride portfolio

Below are 12 examples of my art. A few are sets shown as a single example because they were designed to go together. I’ve also included some notes for context, and links if you like rabbitholes. 🕳

I don’t use AI to draw or design. I create with my own hands and heart. 🙌

​Thank you for considering my work!

EXAMPLE 1:
826 Valencia book cover design/illustration
I care a lot about children’s literacy and the power of creative writing! I volunteered to create a book cover for the local nonprofit 826 Valencia. I reflected aspects of the students’ stories in my art.
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EXAMPLE 2:
Activity book (self-initiated work)
I’d love to discuss making Summer Stride activity sheets for kids AND adults! I made this 40-page activity book for my newsletter audience. Inside the module below, scroll to preview (or download at top right).
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.

EXAMPLE 3 AND 4:
CalAcademy aquarium centennial graphics
The California Academy of Sciences’ Steinhart Aquarium is home to nearly 40,000 live animals. To help celebrate its 100-year anniversary, I illustrated numerous iconic aquarium organisms in a sophisticated but playful style. I also designed marketing collateral with my illustrations, such as banners and decals.

Click to see more of this project.
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A pair of large banners
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Set of floor decals that collectively depict a visual timeline from 1923-2018.

EXAMPLE 5 AND 6:
Children’s illustrations (self-initiated work)
You can view more of my children’s illustrations on my literary agency’s website: Writers House Art
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EXAMPLE 7 AND 8:
Etsy shop of bookish swag (self-initiated work)
In the spring of 2025, I opened an Etsy shop of products I designed that celebrate reading and books.

View more swag designs here.
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EXAMPLE 9:
CalAcademy playground illustrations
The California Academy of Sciences opened an outdoor playground. I was asked to illustrate animals and plants in a playful, inviting way. I applied hints of a woodcut style to integrate with the earthy “nature” of this project.

Click to see more of this project.
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A side-by-side pair of door/wall decals to announce the grand opening.

EXAMPLE 10 AND 11:
Building a Second Brain
Tiago Forte asked me to help illustrate his two books, Building A Second Brain and The PARA Method, both of which became Wall Street Journal bestsellers. Below is a set of illustrations for ​The PARA Method, for which I made 50+ spot illustrations, patterns, and diagrams.
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A set of illustrations used in Tiago Forte’s Wall Street Journal bestseller, The PARA Method
I also designed branding and event collateral that matched the style of the book illustrations. I conceived interactive graphics like this welcome wall, which allowed attendees to share about themselves.

Click here to see more of my work for Building a Second Brain.
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EXAMPLE 12:
Pattern collection (self-initiated work)
Inspired by folk art designs, this collection of 12 patterns is a licensable set that features coordinating feathered friends, florals, and flourishing foliage. 
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​❤️ Thank you for considering me as your next Summer Stride artist! ☀️

© 2025 Maya P. Lim
  • Branding
  • Book Design
  • Illustration
  • Writing
  • Testimonials
  • About
  • Shop