hey!
I’m Mariana Sou, an illustrator, graphic designer and comics artist from Leiria, Portugal.
I graduated in Communication Design (BFA) from Porto University's Faculty of Fine Arts, where I also finished a Specialization in Illustration. Most recently I graduted in Visual Communication (MFA) at Konstfack, Stockholm.
I’ve been working within illustration, comics, lettering, muraling, editorial & graphic design; sometimes all at once!
My passion lies in telling stories: be it through the narrative, the images, the text, the materials or format: in books, posters, zines, murals, brand identity, packaging, or editorial illustrations.
I love projects that allow me to dive deep into a subject, and I’m enthusiastic about teaching and sharing my knowledge.
2024
Finalist in Illustration
Mostra Nacional de Jovens Criadores (MNJC)
Konstfack Merit Grant
funded by Nihls Johan Sjöstedts Foundation
2019
DGES Merit Grant
(Ministry of Education)
Best student of the Faculty
Awards & Grants
2024
PALESTINABOKEN, published by Tecknaruproppet
50 ABRIS, published by Truz Truz Editora
QUEM É QUE TU PENSAS QUE ÉS, comics anthology published by Goteira
THE MONSTER IN MY CLOSET,
self-published limited edition teaser
CONCRETER, artistic research zine #2 of the Visual Communication MFA
2023
CONCRETE, artistic research zine #1 of the Visual Communication MFA
2022
SOMOS FAMÍLIA!, short comic for CAIS, magazine supporting homeless people, collaboration with writer Pedro Moura
2022
ON LOSING MYSELF (A Leveza de me Perder), graphic novel, BA graduation project, self-published, reissue
2020
TEATRO ABSURDO and INTEIRA, comics for the doctorate project WISDOM TRANSFER
University of Porto
Publications
2024
UIVO! Maia’s Illustration Showcase 14th EDITION — Galerias do Fórum da Maia, PT
Mostra Nacional de Jovens Criadores – PÃO, PAZ E TRABALHO, illustration exhibition – Museu de Lamas, PT
Konstfack Vårutställning 2024
THE MONSTER IN MY CLOSET
Exhibition featuring a mural, publications, and risoprinted & embossed promotional material from MA project
Konstfack, Stockholm, SE
2023
HALFWAY THERE, exhibition
Konstfack, Stockholm, SE
2022
Guest Artist at the 17th Edition of Beja’s International Comics Festival, PT
2020
FUTURANDO, exhibition
Festa de Ilustração Setúbal, PT
ILLUSTRATED CALENDAR,
Risoprinted calendar
3 editions, 2018-2020
Curated by Ruben Roxo
2019
DESIGNING PORTUGAL, exhibition
with the project COOPERATIVE CLUTTER
I Porto Design Bienale
ILUSTRA 33, exhibition
XXI Festival Clube dos Criativos, Lisboa
NATIONAL EXHIBITION for the best graduating students, representing FBAUP
XXI Clube dos Criativos Festival, PT
CRAVO exhibition + zine Issue #2 ROADS