Ilana Diamond is an illustrator based in Berkeley, California, specializing in densely detailed, story-driven illustrations that invite a second look. Her work reflects a wide range of experiences and quietly questions social constructs. Her influences include Bowie, RuPaul, Roland Barthes’ Camera Lucida, and childhood memories of living in Tokyo during the 1980s.

Ilana holds a BA and MA from The Gallatin School at NYU, where her master’s thesis explored the creative process and the intersection of words and imagery in storytelling. During her studies at NYU, she interned at Printed Matter and The New York Times Magazine. Before transitioning into illustration full-time, Ilana spent twenty years in editorial and creative roles at magazines including New York, WIRED, and ReadyMade, as Director of Photography at San Francisco Magazine, and in art buying and brand production roles at various agencies, including IDEO.

She lives with her partner, kids, and two rascally familiars, Boris and Linsky.

For collaborations, licensing, or any other inquiries, please get in touch.

Ilana Diamond
She/her
ilana.r.diamond@gmail.com

American Illustration 45 Chosen Winner
3x3 International Illustration Annual No. 23, Honorable Mention
Featured in Creative Boom’s “Ten Under 10K”
Shortlisted in Communication Arts Illustration Competition 2026