Hi, I’m Patricia Armada, a Swiss-Spanish
illustrator and paper artist based in Barcelona.

I craft tangible visuals for commercial,
editorial and publishing illustration.

My work transforms concepts into engaging visual narratives, embracing the graphic power of simplicity, geometry and analogue techniques. I like to see in my creations paper as the protagonist, color as the speaker and volume as the narrator.

 

My creative approach is deeply rooted in design. After completing a BA in Visual Communication and Interaction Design at ECAL in Lausanne, Switzerland, I spent over a decade as an independent designer collaborating with cultural institutions, NGOs and public entities on health, human rights, environment and education projects. Later, I relocated to Spain and co-founded Velkro, a boutique design studio working across international public and private sectors.

 

Becoming a mother marked a meaningful turning point in my career. I chose to leave the studio behind to fully embrace a solo illustration practice. Today, I channel my 15-year background in graphic design into a sculptural, paper-based process. I explore how light, shadows and colours interact to bring thoughtful images to life. I aim to craft contemplative, poetic and elegant visuals that resonate with both emotion and playfulness.

 

Additionally, I create limited editions of artists’ books for the curious minds of little—and not-so-little—humans.

 

 

Member of the Paper Artist Collective & Association of Illustrators (AOI)

I have had the pleasure
of working extensively across
international public, cultural
and associative sectors.

SELECTED CLIENTS

Doctors without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières)
Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona
Barcelona City Council
Government of Catalonia
Échallens Tourisme Région (Switzerland)
Geneva University Hospitals
Terre des Hommes Switzerland
United Nations Environment Programme
Crédit Agricole

Paper Illustration of Buster Keaton
Portrait of Patricia Armada in her studio by Paola Zanni

Recognition
& Showcases

2026   Creative Conciliation

AOI World Illustration Awards, Longlisted Artist

3×3 International Illustration Awards, Honorable Mention

 

2026   Ensemble Variante S25-26

AOI World Illustration Awards, Longlisted Artist

 

2026   Children’s Classical Concert Poster Series

Hiii Brand International Illustration Awards, Shortlisted Artist

 

2016   Le Voyage de l’oiseau soleil

Laus Awards, Silver Winner

Junceda Illustration Prizes, Future Creators Finalist

 

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2026   Once upon a Moon

Boundless, Artist’s Books Exhibition (New Zealand)

Biennale Internazionale del Libro d’Artista (Padova, Italy)

 

2020   Paper Work

Como Pedro por mi casa, Artist’s Book Festival (Barcelona)

 
2016   Le Voyage de l’oiseau soleil

Como Pedro por mi casa, Artist’s Book Festival (Barcelona)

Based in Barcelona, available for worldwide
commissions, collaborations and projects.