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Yoko Baum | Food And Drink Editorial Illustrator

About Yoko Baum

Yoko Baum is a Japanese illustrator based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in food and drink illustration and lifestyle illustration. Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from an art university in Japan, she spent several years working in the children’s book sector, where she established herself as a trusted and skilled professional.

Yoko creates artwork that captures attention and resonates with audiences. Her work is bold yet refined, with clean, engaging designs that stand out in a fast-paced world. By adding subtle textures and a handcrafted touch, she ensures every piece feels authentic and full of human creativity—never artificial.

As seen in her portfolio, Yoko has had the pleasure of working on projects for food and lifestyle magazines, as well as branding campaigns. Her passion for high-impact visual communication drives her to create illustrations that brighten and elevate her clients’ messages.

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When she’s not illustrating, Yoko enjoys cooking and baking for her family and exploring the beauty of nature on summer hikes. These personal moments inspire her creative process, helping her bring fresh, vibrant energy to every project.

Yoko's next goal as an illustrator

'As an illustrator, I’m passionate about spreading color, joy, and creativity to the world.

I’m particularly excited to collaborate with hotels, department stores, and airlines to create advertising campaigns that truly stand out and leave a lasting impression. At the same time, I’m eager to explore fun and creative projects, such as designing chocolate labels, food packaging, illustrated card decks, jigsaw puzzles, and e-greeting cards. Ultimately, my goal is to help my clients create a more colorful, uplifting world—one illustration at a time.' - Yoko Baum

Clients

I’ve had the pleasure of working with a variety of brands and publications, including:

Testimonials and Trust

What My Clients Are Saying:

"Yoko made fantastically whimsical illustrations for a couple feature stories for us and knocked them out of the park. They really elevated the storytelling. She was a pleasure to work with, met very tight deadlines, and I look forward to working with her again."
Brian McManus, Global Editorial Director, NMGnetwork
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"Yoko was fast, responsive, and good."
Edward Behr, Publisher, Editor, The Art of Eating Magazine
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"Yoko did fantastic work for the Japanese food issue of our Waitrose magazine. She knew what exactly Japanese cuisine looks like, her illustration style describes every single detail of them in a fresh and sophisticated way. Also she was very responsive and able to deliver what I needed ahead of schedule.Yoko is lovely to work with."
Kerry Wakefield, Deputy Creative Director / Art Director, Waitrose Food Magazine
 
"Collaborating with Yoko was an absolute pleasure. Her responsiveness, keen understanding of our project's needs, and exceptional talent truly exceeded our expectations. Yoko's professionalism and remarkable illustration skills were evident throughout our collaboration, resulting in outstanding artwork delivered ahead of schedule. Her contributions to our project celebrating AAPI Heritage Month were met with overwhelming appreciation from the entire ERG group. I highly recommend Yoko for any creative endeavor; her dedication and creativity are truly unparalleled."
Zihang Jiao, Lead Digital Designer, Web Experience and Development | Ripple

Services and Offer

  • Editorial Illustration

  • Magazine Illustration

  • Food & Drink Illustration

  • Branding & Advertising

  • Packaging & Label Design

  • Surface Design

  • Book Covers & Publishing Illustration

  • Illustrated Card Decks & E-Greeting Cards

For project Inquiries, or just say hello,
you can email me at

hello@yokobaum.com

Yoko Baum, Freelance Japanese Illustrator, Bio Photo
Illustrators For Hire, IFH Logo

I'm honored that I was asked to join Illustrators For Hire - a curated, global list of freelance illustrators :
@illustratorsforhire.

Also, Where You Can Find Yoko's Work

Curated Communities Supporting Illustrators

Showcasing My Work

  • THEY DRAW
    A creative space for illustrations related to food, travel, and more.
    ➜     View my illustrations

  • Coffee Table Art Book
    A curated collection celebrating coffee culture art, where I’m proud to be featured as an illustrator and a huge coffee lover!

Interview

  • A recent feature in The Japan Times, where I share insights into my work and creative process for the book A Very Asian Guide to Japanese Food.

       ➜ Read the interview

Cheeses, Fruits And A Cheese Knife, Food Illustration By Yoko Baum.jpg

JOIN MY MAILING LIST FOR NEWSLETTERS !!

A few times a year I'll show you my recent illustrations,
including quick & easy seasonal recipes !!

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