​Hello! My name is Kaja Kajfež. I’m a Croatian illustrator, working under the artistic name Iz Ptica mainly in children’s publishing, creating detailed, emotionally driven digital illustrations with a strong focus on storytelling and atmosphere. My background in Multimedia also gave me experience in graphic design, animation, print, and visual communication, which deeply shapes the way I approach images and narrative.

​

My process is very intuitive - I usually begin by figuring out how a scene should feel before deciding exactly how it should look. I love building visually rich worlds filled with emotion, symbolism, texture, and small storytelling details. Clients often come back to me for expressive characters, warm atmosphere, and collaborative, reliable communication throughout the process.

​

Outside illustration, I’m inspired by nature, theatre, dance, music, books, and educational oddities I loved as a child - especially encyclopedias and illustrated “how the world works” books. I care deeply about animal rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and creating work rooted in empathy and emotional honesty. I also share my life with three rescued companions: sibling cats Athena and Apollo, and a dog named Odi, who are all convinced they are part of my creative team.