I'm Adriana Phillips-Guzmán.
You can call me Alú.

I grew up in Colombia, between Cartagena and Barranquilla — daughter of a chemical engineer and a biology teacher, a quiet, introverted kid who spent most of her time drawing and reading. I was observant early on, drawn to color, to images, to stories, and to the small details that make things feel alive.

I trained as a graphic designer, came to the U.S. on a Fulbright Scholarship, and spent seventeen years leading design teams — most recently as Director of Design at Arcadia. Now I'm bringing that same eye to children's books, writing and illustrating stories shaped by my Latina roots, motherhood, color, and the small details that make a moment feel true. You can see some of that work here.

I've called Kansas, Boston, and now Colorado home. I'm a proud mom of two daughters. If something here resonates, I'd love to hear from you.

Find me on Instagram or Substack