WORKBOOK’S 2026 Directory of Illustration is a bold, must-have showcase of today’s most compelling illustration talent. This beautifully produced annual, featuring cover art by renowned artist Victo Ngai, brings together standout emerging voices and industry-leading artists in one curated and highly collectible volume, backed by year-round digital exposure on Workbook.com and DirectoryofIllustration.com. Trusted by top art buyers, agencies, and brands worldwide, Workbook’s Directory of Illustration is both a source of inspiration and a powerful discovery tool—connecting exceptional Illustrators with hiring creatives through images designed to live beyond the moment.
Browse the book online! Are you a creative who loves the power of print? Request your copy of the book.
Victo is represented by Morgan Gaynin.
The 2026 cover was created by acclaimed illustrator Victo Ngai, whose work is known for its narrative depth, symbolic richness, and masterful detail. Represented by Morgan Gaynin, Victo brings a distinctive voice to editorial and conceptual illustration.
Read on as we talk with Victo about being selected as the cover artist, the inspiration behind the artwork, and what she’s looking forward to in the year ahead.
How did you feel about being asked to be the cover artist for the Workbook 2026 Directory of Illustration?
I felt both surprised and deeply honored, especially considering the extraordinary range of talent featured in the Workbook’s Directory of Illustration.
What was the concept/inspiration behind the art?
The illustration was created for a financial article about “rainy day” savings for future generations. Instead of a rainy day, I reimagined it as a snowy scene, with a hummingbird parent sheltering fresh flowers in its wings for its young.
Believe it or not, I enjoy working with dry, abstract subject matter just as much as more emotional or dramatic themes—sometimes even more. It gives me more freedom to build a narrative, and I find it especially satisfying to “trick” people into engaging with material that might otherwise feel dull.
As we look ahead to a new year and a new Directory, what are you most excited to explore creatively and professionally in 2026?
I’m looking forward to projects that truly challenge me—those are what keep the work fresh and exciting. I also hope to finally make time to complete my debut author-illustrator picture book.
Thank you, Victo, for sharing your insight and inspiration with us. We’re excited to see what challenges—and stories—you take on next, and we look forward to the release of your debut author-illustrator picture book.
