Hello, I'm ZSO—or Sara Blake, if you like. I'm an illustrator, fine artist, and designer, living and loving in New York City. I run a boutique illustration and design studio. When I'm not making scribbles, I also enjoy having conversations with my cat Eugene O'Neill, going for runs, riding my bike, exploring gastronomic delights, naps, "quiet-time," and traveling as much as the universe allows.

ZSO (pronounced |zō|) is a collection of letters that I find aesthetically and phonetically beautiful, culled together from some personally significant people, places, and things. Together they make a sound much like “so,” the adverb which means "to such a great extent.” I am a person of extremes, for better or worse (most often the latter), so the ring of it was fitting, and the moniker has since stuck for good.

I graduated from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study with a concentration in Graphic Art and Postmodern Studies—I've been working in design and art direction ever since. Based out of the West Village, I work both as a designer as well as an independent illustration studio. I also own and manage a small textile company called ZSO-NYC. I've been so super stoked to have the opportunity to work for clients like Alo Drinks, Nike, Ford, Hurley, IBM, Wired Magazine, Scotch & Soda, Sakroots, TEDx Labs, and SGCNY.