With over 20 years experience and 30 industry awards, creativity has always been front and center in my life. From my decade as a Senior Product Designer at Manhattan Toy, to illustrating for kids, running the design blog Small for Big, being a Pinfluencer, or teaching as an Adjunct Art Professor at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), I’m kind of obsessed with making things!

As a children’s illustrator, I’m a proud finalist in the 2023 PBParty competition, a long list winner of the British 2023 Searchlight Award, a member of SCBWI, and a participant in the 12x12challenge.

As a surface and product designer, I create work for clients like Skip Hop, Jellycat, Target, Nuby, Cirque du Soleil, Dr. Seuss, Crate and Barrel, and more. My designs have won over 30 awards. Let’s partner together and create something new.

Illustration: stationery, book, pattern, fabric, surface design
Trend Research: market research, trend boards, color & styling
Character Development: research, sketches, product ideas and development
Concepting/Product Design: researching, sketching, turn-arounds, mock ups
Asia Manufacturing: product development, specifications, negotiations

Contact me at mari@smallforbig.com with any questions or ideas. I’m happy to help!