Nikita Akula is a first-gen Indian-American illustrator, designer and storyteller. Raised in Exton, Pennsylvania, Nikita grew up collecting crayons, leaving no mercy for blank walls and maxing out her library card. As a once-shy but endlessly curious kid herself, Nikita strives to tell stories that empower all ages to be brave in the face of fear, using whimsy and humor as guiding threads. Featuring dynamic energy through vibrant color choices, and dry-media + painterly textures, her artwork highlights the magic in the ordinary. She often explores themes of discovering identity, building found family, and the power of community. Nikita holds a BFA in Illustration and a minor in book arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She was a winner of MICA’s Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition in 2025. When Nikita decides to take a break from creating, you can find her reading a good book, dancing her heart out, being silly with her friends or photosynthesizing in a sunbeam.
