Ulrike Mieke is a South African graphic designer and illustrator based in Brighton, UK. She grew up in a busy and creative household, surrounded by German and Afrikaans children’s books, without knowing that one day it would be her dream to illustrate them.

Mieke graduated from Stellenbosch University with an undergraduate in Visual Communication Design and then completed her Masters in Illustration at Falmouth University in 2024 with distinction. Her work has been longlisted for the Unpublished Showcase for Picturebook Makers, among other recognitions.

She loves experimenting with different materials like gouache, crayons and coloured pencils, combining them with digital techniques as well, to bring warmth and playfulness to her illustrations. Since graduating, Mieke has been working in the design industry and teaching.

When she’s not in her studio, Mieke can be found digging around in her garden, trying out a new recipe or filling up her sketchbooks. Drawing in parks, bus rides and along the pebble beaches or around a campfire with her family.

Ulrike is represented by Georgia Tournay — For enquiries, please contact Georgia via email.