How We Got Here...
It started with art. Then life happened.
Ionna Marie Designs grew from a very personal place. At a difficult point in my life, creating became a way to process, explore and find some space for myself. What started as something personal gradually became a creative business, with greeting cards becoming my way of sharing that creativity with other people.
I also wanted to see more of the people, style and experiences I knew reflected in beautiful, contemporary artwork. Black representation became an important part of that journey, but so did fashion, culture, heritage and the countless little details that make people interesting.
About Me
Jean. Artist. Illustrator. Professional overthinker of tiny details.
I’m the person behind Ionna Marie Designs, an independent artist and illustrator creating greeting cards, stationery, art prints and gifts inspired by culture, connection and the wonderfully ordinary things that make us who we are.
A few things worth knowing...
As a passionate collector of greeting cards and stationery, I wanted to create designs that felt both stylish and meaningful with cards that people would be proud to give and delighted to receive.
My work blends influences from fashion illustration, textile design and my cultural heritage, resulting in distinctive hand-drawn images that celebrate identity, beauty and joy. Each design is created with the intention of helping people express appreciation, love and encouragement in a way that feels thoughtful and personal.
I notice the details.
A silhouette, a fabulous pair of earrings, a headwrap, a hairstyle, a pattern or simply the way someone puts an outfit together can tell you something about them before they've said a word.
Those details naturally found their way into my illustrations. They give my characters personality and help create the sense of familiarity that sits at the heart of my work.
Some pieces draw on Caribbean culture, Black British life and heritage. Others are inspired by fashion, art, nature, relationships or everyday moments. Sometimes there’s a bigger story.
Sometimes an idea simply won't leave me alone until I've drawn it.
And the bit that matters most...
The result is a growing body of illustrations that feel both contemporary and timeless, artwork designed not only to be shared through greeting cards but also to be kept, treasured and remembered.
That’s really what I’m happiest doing: making things that have a little more meaning than you might expect.
Welcome to Ionna Marie Designs!