Literary/Speaking inquiries: Ed Maxwell ed@transatlanticagency.com / 212.206.5600
All other work inquiries: Debut Art Agency info@debutart.com / +44 (0) 20.7636.1064
To say hi: hello@debleeart.com
Hey, I’m Deb (but not “Deborah”, or worse, “Debbie”!!) I am an Ignatz-winning Brooklyn-based Korean illustrator and my pronouns are they/them. In 2023 I was awarded a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. Also, I was in a fantasy internet cult from 2009-2011.
Books:
“In Limbo” - Spring 2023 First Second Books - a graphic novel memoir about the intersection of Korean-American diaspora and mental health.
“The Invisible Boy” - Fall 2020 Roaring Brook Press - illustrated Alyssa Hollingsworth’s novel about the next-door neighbor and his secret.
“The Other Side of Tomorrow” - Fall 2024 from Harper Collins - illustrating Tina Cho’s graphic novel about children escaping North Korea.
“Monster Seek” - 2026 from Astra Books - illustrating Rainie Oet’s picture book about gender identity.
Select clients + past work experience:
Adobe, BMW, Chronicle Books, Discovery Inc, Disney Hyperion, Faber-Castell, Google, Harper Collins, Japanese Breakfast, Johnnie Walker, LEGO, LinkedIn, Lyft, Macmillan Publishers, Martell, Medium, Meta, New Yorker, New York Public Radio, New York Times, NPR, PBS, Procreate App, ProPublica, Radiolab, Random House, Scientific American, Simon and Schuster, Sir Kensington’s, The Verge, Washington Post, Wells Fargo, 3dtotal
Written Features + Press:
Understanding The Mental Health Journey In The Korean American Community With Author Deb JJ Lee / Forbes
The Candid Visual Storytelling of Deb JJ Lee / Hyperallergic
In graphic memoir 'In Limbo,' a Korean American finds healing and humanity / NPR
MACKIDS SPOTLIGHT: DEB JJ LEE / Macmillan Publishers
Interview with Artist Deb JJ Lee / Geeks Out
Artist Turns Down $3,000 Fortnite Job Offer, Calls It 'Hilarious' / Kotaku
A New Refrain From Artists: We ‘Almost Gave Up on Instagram’ / New York Times
Resilient small business owners inspire artists to reimagine the “Open” sign / Wells Fargo
25 Pieces of Wall Art From Asian and Asian American Artists / NY Mag
A Conversation About Book Covers with Illustrator Deborah Lee, A Rising New Voice in Children’s Books / James Preller
Design Alumna on the New Yorker and Being “IN LIMBO” / CMU Design
Meet the Artist: Deborah Lee / Girls Club Asia
Becoming a Full-Time Freelance Illustrator to Publish a Debut Graphic Novel Memoir with Deb Lee / The Remarkable Leap Podcast
An artist's perspective on depression and how life informs our craft w/ Deborah Lee / Haifidelity Podcast
Meet Deborah Lee / VoyageLA
Artist Spotlight: Deborah Lee / Inprnt Blog
Meet the Artist: Deborah Lee / Procreate App
Summer Intern: Deborah Lee / NPR Illustration Blog
Q&A: How Illustrator Deborah Lee Turns Her Sadness Into Artistry And Joy / Character Media
Aspirants Co / Aspirants, Triumph Issue
@jdebbiel, Featured Illustrator / Ballpit Mag
Deb J. Lee, Recent Work / Supersonic Art
Design Senior Accepted Into Society of Illustrators Scholarship Competition / Carnegie Mellon School of Design
Awards:
Ignatz Awards (Promising New Talent), Harvey Awards (Nominated for Best Children/Young Adult Graphic Novel), Society of Illustrators (Gold Medal), Communication Arts, Applied Arts Mag, 3x3 Annual, Print Mag, Creative Quarterly, Adobe Awards
Speaker/Panel Events:
Panelist - San Diego Comic Con, 2023
Panelist - TCAF, 2023
Guest Speaker - Washington University in St Louis, 2023
Guest Speaker - Carnegie Mellon University, 2023
Guest Speaker - School of Visual Arts, 2023
Guest Speaker - University of Southern California, 2022
Guest Speaker - Maryland Institute College of Art, 2022
Guest Speaker - Fashion Institute of Technology, 2022
Design Lecture Series Speaker - Carnegie Mellon University, 2021
GROW Keynote Speaker - AIGA Austin, 2020
Digital Imaging Guest Lecture - Carnegie Mellon University, 2019
Jumpstart your Illustration Career (while staying true to yourself, your art, and your identity) — Lightbox Expo, 2019
Finding your Way without Losing Yourself - Lightbox Expo, 2019
Galleries + Shows:
“Let’s do this again: Official Spider-verse Show”, group exhibition, Gallery Nucleus, 2023
“Art of IN LIMBO and Deb JJ Lee”, solo show, Gallery Nucleus, 2023
“Neko Show”, group exhibition, Giant Robot, 2021
“Totoro Show 6”, group exhibition, Giant Robot, 2020
“The Plant Show 3”, group exhibition, Giant Robot, 2020
“Deep Forest”, group exhibition, Giant Robot, 2020
“Salut!5”, group exhibition, Nucleus Portland, 2020
"GOODNIGHT", solo exhibition, The Frame Gallery, 2018
"Assemblage", group exhibition, The Miller Gallery, 2017