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.
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.
My Next Goal as an Illustrator
I’m passionate about creating illustrations that captivate audiences and bring stories to life. My goal is to collaborate with brands, publishers, and creative agencies on editorial and advertising projects—whether for magazines, book covers, digital media, or large-scale campaigns.
I’m particularly excited to work with food, lifestyle, and travel brands to create compelling visuals for editorial features, ad campaigns, product packaging, and promotional materials. From spot illustrations for magazines to eye-catching billboard designs, I strive to craft artwork that is bold, memorable, and full of personality.
Whether you’re looking for engaging illustrations for a magazine spread, social media campaign, restaurant branding, or retail promotions, I’d love to collaborate and bring your vision to life.
Let’s create something amazing together!
Clients
I’ve had the pleasure of working with a variety of brands and publications, including:
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EATEN Magazine
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EDUTOPIA
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Kitchen Table Magazine
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PER FIN PRO Magazine
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Taproot Magazine
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The Art of Eating Magazine
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,and more.
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
"Yoko was fast, responsive, and good."
Edward Behr, Publisher, Editor, The Art of Eating Magazine
"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
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Editorial Illustration
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Magazine Illustration
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Food & Drink Illustration
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Branding & Advertising Illustration
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Surface Design
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Book Covers & Publishing Illustration
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Illustrated Card Decks & E-Greeting Cards, etc.
I'm flexible and happy to help with different requests, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!
For project Inquiries, or just say hello,
you can email me at
hello@yokobaum.com
Also, Where You Can Find Yoko's Work
Curated Communities Supporting Illustrators
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Illustrators For Hire
A curated list of freelance illustrators, and I’m proud to be a selected professional.
➜ View my profile @Food and Drink and @Editorial -
Creativehowl
A community showcasing talented illustrators, where I am honored to be recognized.
➜ View my profile -
Illustration File
A curated Japanese platform featuring professional illustrators, connecting us with advertising, publishing, and other industries.
➜ View my profile -
Fy!
A platform where I sell my prints alongside many talented artists.
➜ Shop my prints
Showcasing My Work
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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
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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.
