Hi there, I’m Valerie Nelson, and I work as a Designer, Illustrator, and Art Director through various mediums from packaging, products, and books, to animation, storytelling, and games.

Most of my work in the past eight years has been in the realm of children’s products, arts & crafts kits, and creativity toys/games. I’ve recently worked with Super Smalls on accessory graphics, and with Play-Doh on art direction, branding concepts, and packaging design. While working as the lead Graphic Designer for Todd Oldham Studio, I designed for Kid Made Modern and additionally created the kids’ craft brands Making with MoMA, Smarts & Crafts, and Camp Plaid. There, I also designed books, made graphics for products, and helped create a digital webshow.

Continuously for over ten years, I’ve also been a visual artist and illustrator, making personal and client work that often involves animals, child-friendly graphics, and colorful creatures. In 2023, I started Snailerie.co as a stationery shop and a place for my characters to live.

While my work predominantly shows playfulness on the surface, I also aim to focus on issues regarding accessibility, climate justice, animals and nature conservancy, mental health, and the arts. Hoping to make the world a little brighter and more joyful in a way that’s sustainable, accessible, and caring.

* Collaborations done through Todd Oldham Studio