Illustrator and ESAD Communication Design lecturer Mariana Rio saw her work on the book "Leva-me ao Teu Líder" ("Take Me to Your Leader") recognised with a special mention in the 28th edition of the National Illustration Prize.

Competing for the 28th edition of the National Illustration Prize were 65 works by 56 illustrators, 32 publishers and one other organisation, as well as three author's editions. The jury was made up of Susana Lopes Silva, José Teófilo Duarte and Maria Carlos Loureiro, the latter representing the Directorate-General for Books, Archives and Libraries (DGLAB).

The book "Leva-me ao Teu Líder" (Take Me to Your Leader), written by Afonso Cruz (texts) and Mariana Rio (illustrations) was published in 2023 by the Assembly of the Republic, in the collection Missão: Democracia.

The jury considered that Mariana Rio "continues to work consistently, with a plastic and chromatic language that maintains a connection to the analogue work of the subject".