Roger Olmos (born 1975 in Valencia, Spain) is a Spanish illustrator, visual artist, and author of children’s books. He is known for his distinctive graphic style, which combines bold lines, vibrant colour palettes, and a strong sense of narrative. Olmos’s work spans picture books, editorial illustration, graphic design, and exhibition projects, and he has collaborated with a range of national and international publishing houses.
Early life and education
Olmos was raised in Valencia, where he developed an early interest in drawing and visual storytelling. He studied graphic design at the Escuela de Arte y Superior de Diseño (EASD) in Valencia, graduating in the late 1990s. His formal training provided a foundation in both commercial design and fine arts, influencing the multidisciplinary nature of his later work.
Career
After completing his studies, Olmos began working as a freelance illustrator, creating images for magazines, advertising campaigns, and book publishers. In the early 2000s he entered the field of children’s literature, illustrating both original works and classic texts. His illustrations have been published by major houses such as Editorial Tusquets, Penguin Random House, and Lilliput, and have been translated into multiple languages.
Olmos has also produced visual projects for cultural institutions and museums, contributing murals, installations, and exhibition designs. His work has been shown in galleries across Europe, including Barcelona, Paris, and Berlin.
Notable works
- Momo (2016) – illustrated edition of Michael Ende’s novel, published by Tusquets.
- The Little Prince (2020) – illustrated version of Antoine de Saint‑Exupéry’s classic, released by Lilliput.
- The Little Mermaid (2021) – picture book adaptation illustrated by Olmos for Penguin Random House.
- A Day in the Life of… series (2018–2022) – a collection of educational picture books exploring daily routines and social themes.
Awards and recognitions
Olmos’s illustrations have received several accolades, notably the National Illustration Prize (Premio Nacional de Ilustración) awarded by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Spain in 2018 for his work on Momo. He has also been honoured with the BolognaRagazzi Award (Honour List, 2019) and the IBBY Honour List (2021).
Style and reception
Critics highlight Olmos’s ability to convey complex emotions through simplified, expressive forms. His use of colour and composition often emphasizes narrative pacing, making his books appealing to both children and adults. Scholarly analyses note his contribution to contemporary Spanish illustration, positioning him among the leading figures in the field of visual storytelling.
Selected bibliography
- Momo (Illustrator), Tusquets, 2016.
- The Little Prince (Illustrator), Lilliput, 2020.
- The Little Mermaid (Illustrator), Penguin Random House, 2021.
- A Day in the Life of a Girl (Author & Illustrator), Lilliput, 2022.
See also
- Contemporary Spanish illustrators
- Children’s book illustration
This entry reflects information available from reputable publishing and cultural sources as of 2024.