I’m Leon Edler

Leon Edler is an illustrator, cartoonist and writer based in Leeds, UK. His funny, sharply observed work has won numerous awards and been exhibited in the UK, US and Europe.

Leon’s career began when he won the Young Cartoonist of the Year in 2007 and again in 2008. Since then, he has developed a career as a conceptual illustrator and creative thinker, creating murals, card games, book covers, comic strips, animations and scripts for brands, publishers, newspapers and magazines. 

In 2023, Leon’s first full length manuscript ‘Maude Goes Tiny’ was shortlisted for the Deborah Rogers Foundation prize. Leon is also co-founder of creative group and art store RoomFifty.

‘…Leon Edler continues to inspire me. His clever, minimalist illustrations masterfully blend wit and depth, distilling complex ideas into simple, impactful visuals. His work is thought-provoking and funny, a balance of art and insight. Beyond illustration, he’s a gifted writer and storyteller who energises and challenges me creatively in ways few others can.’

Chris Clarke - Creative Director, the Guardian

From 5 Good Things - Chris Clarke - London, UK - Uskees.com

I’ve worked for…

Apple / Brompton Cycles / The New Yorker / Penguin / Sydney Opera House / The New York Times / Hachette / CNN / Warby Parker / British Airways / Vanity Fair / Monocle / The Guardian / The Wall Street Journal / Wired / Time Out / Die Zeit / The Hollywood Reporter / GQ / Süddeutsche Zeitung / Easyjet / Creative Review / AARP / L'Express Magazine / MIT / LA Times / Bloomberg Businessweek / Les Echos Weekend / The Financial Times / Studio MM / c-ll-ct-v-ly / NB Studio / The Economist / National Geographic / New York Magazine / NSPCC / Der Spiegel ...

I’ve won, or nearly won…

Deborah Rogers Foundation Writers Award - Longlisted (2023)
Stopped Entering Art Competitions (2022)
National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award for Illustration (2021)
Drum Design Award (2021)
3x3 Merit Winner (2021)
American Illustration Chosen Winner (2021)
Society of Illustrators Annual & Exhibition 63 Winner (2021)
American Illustration 39 Selected Winner (2020)
American Illustration 38 Selected Winner (2019)
3x3 Merit Winner (2019)
American Illustration 37 Selected Winner (2018)
World Illustration Awards Winner (2018)
Top 50 Time Out covers (2018)
American Illustration 36 Selected Winner (2017)
3x3 Distinguished Merit Winner (2017)
The Society of Publication Designers Merit Award (2017)
Society of Illustrators MoCCA Award of Excellence (2017)
3x3 Honorable Mention (2016)
American Illustration 35 Chosen Winner (2016)
German Design Council (2016)
Pick Me Up Selects shortlist (2015)
Young Cartoonist of the Year Award (2008)
Young Cartoonist of the Year Award (2007)

Podcasts

The Friendly Unknown Podcast – listen here

On Design Podcast - listen here

Illustration Hour podcast – listen here