Belicta Castelbarco / The Guardian / Attack of the Birthdayzillas!

Belicta Castelbarco was commissioned by The Guardian to create an editorial illustration and animated illustration for Meena Alexander’s feature exploring the rise of the “birthdayzilla.”

The article examines how adult birthdays have evolved into elaborate, high-budget celebrations, with mini festivals, destination trips, branded merchandise, themed parties, and carefully curated dress codes becoming increasingly common. It explores the cultural shift behind these larger-than-life celebrations, asking whether the trend is fuelled by social media culture, the desire to create shareable experiences, or a deeper need for connection and meaningful milestone celebrations at a time when traditional life milestones are often delayed.

Belicta’s vibrant conceptual illustration and accompanying animation capture the humour, extravagance, and social commentary at the heart of the story. Her expressive visual style combines bold colour, playful composition, and engaging character design to bring contemporary lifestyle and cultural topics to life across both print and digital editorial platforms.

Known for creating distinctive editorial illustrations, magazine artwork, and animated editorial visuals, Belicta Castelbarco collaborates with leading international publications to transform complex social and cultural stories into memorable, visually engaging imagery.

Art Director: Maggie Murphy