Nicola Walker is an illustrator and surface pattern designer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her work is playful and bold, blending nostalgia, storytelling, and reflections on human nature. Working across traditional and digital media- including ink, gouache, watercolour, Procreate, and Adobe software- she adapts her style to suit everything from live illustration and greeting cards to surface pattern and narrative art.

With a background in occupational therapy and youth work, Nicola brings a deep understanding of how creativity and storytelling help people make sense of their lives. Her experience supporting young people with cancer and their families taught her how stories can provide comfort, meaning, and connection- an idea that continues to influence her creative practice.

Nicola rediscovered her passion for illustration during the Covid-19 pandemic through online art courses and has since worked on visual projects such as social media infographics for the Teenage Cancer Trust. She is currently studying Children’s Picture book Illustration at the Leith School of Art, expanding her portfolio to explore character design, expressive interaction, and imaginative worlds.

Through her work, Nicola aims to offer moments of comfort and nostalgia- reminders of the warmth and wonder found in everyday life and childhood memories.