Media & Speaking

Black-and-white portrait of Brian LaRossa.

Brian LaRossa speaks about picture book art direction, typography, children’s publishing, and careers in illustration and design. An executive art director in Scholastic’s hardcover picture book group, he is also a Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute and teaches at The City College of New York, where he is included in the faculty Experts List. He has also spoken or critiqued work at Parsons, MICA, Hollins University, College for Creative Studies, CUNY City Tech, many SCBWI chapters, Boyds Mills (formerly the Highlights Foundation), and the Typographics festival at Cooper Union. He served on the jury for the Society of Illustrators’ 2026 Original Art picture book exhibition and mentors emerging illustrators through We Need Diverse Books.

For interviews, commentary, lectures, panels, or critiques, email hello@brianlarossa.com. For bios, headshots, and submission guidelines, see the media kit.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

▸ Picture Book Art Direction
▸ Children’s Book Illustration
▸ Typography & Book Design
▸ Children’s Publishing
▸ Creative Operations
▸ Portfolio Development
▸ Careers in Illustration & Design

SELECT INTERVIEWS

▸ Literaticast, podcast
▸ Creative Boom, podcast
▸ Scratching the Surface, podcast
▸ SCBWI, interview
▸ Type Directors Club, interview
▸ Type Thursday, interview
▸ PRINT, interview

SELECT PRESENTATIONS

Kid Lit Illustration Dos & Don’ts
A practical guide to children’s book illustration, from your website and social media to your portfolio, book deals, and creative process. Brian shares an art director’s perspective on common missteps and actionable ways to strengthen your professional practice.
Design Can Make or Break Your Picture Book Dummy
Explore how layout, typography, and illustration shape the reading experience of a picture book dummy. Brian offers practical ways to strengthen your dummy and present your book clearly to agents, editors, and art directors.