Urban Stories: Illustrated Cities by Aleksandra Mikolajczak

Toronto-based illustrator and designer Aleksandra Mikolajczak has a talent for turning everyday urban spots into cinematic compositions. Her artwork feels like a fleeting moment captured during a morning or evening stroll, as if you stopped to soak in the city’s pulse.

Aleksandra’s creations feature detailed streetscapes from well-known cities like Toronto, New York, Paris and Kyoto. Each piece brims with tons of character, inviting you to look closer and discover the stories behind every setting. Her bright, expressive color palettes bring these scenes to life, paired with excellent use of textures, and shifting shadows that reflect the time of day. In her “Retro Toronto” series, she even takes a nostalgic trip back to the 70s and 80s, depicting certain parts of the city as they once were.

If you’d like to see more of Aleksandra Mikolajczak’s work, check out her full portfolio on Behance.

More illustrations via Dribbble