Quite Strong

Stay strong and centered in your own creative vision In her own words My life has always been an exploration of artistic voice. Whether taking the form of a painting or an illustration, my artwork is a means of communication, a kind of storytelling. I paint and illustrate for all ages. My images are often [...]

It is not about “over-night” success… In her own words I create finely-detailed pen-and-ink drawings primarily of architecture and architectural ornamentation. I thoroughly enjoy working with pen and ink and the satisfaction I feel from the work. Doing what I do has made me a more observant person, truly enjoying my surroundings. Words of advice [...]

Do something creative and new every day. In her own words I am a creative thinker that is always looking for the next opportunity to learn and grow. I feel that through visual communication— whether it is print or digital, small- or large-scale —we can express meaning and knowledge, promote interactions, and start conversations. For [...]

The harder you work, the luckier you get. In her own words My name is Roxanne Daner and I’m a designer and illustrator living and working is Los Angeles, CA. I’m a partner at my design studio Ludlow Kingsley and also have a separate place for my illustration work called Yours, Roxanne. Words of advice [...]

Do one thing a day that scares you. In her own words I create illustrations and communicative designs that are appreciated for pleasantness in aesthetic presentation and problem solving qualities. Not just a plain image creator, I am all about finding a harmony between image and design elements, such as color, shape, text, and hierarchy. [...]

Take every opportunity In her own words Hello, I am a designer and illustrator living in Brooklyn, NY. I am the Senior Designer at BUST Magazine and I am also a freelance illustrator on the side. Last year I started my own business called Grovius were I create and sell painting and prints on my [...]

Hard work really does pay off In her own words I am a recent graphic design graduate from Nottingham Trent University. I have a huge passion for typography which I have explored a lot during my final year at university. I enjoy all areas of typography from handrawn lettering right through to the more strict [...]

Live what you love. In their own words I’m a designer/illustrator located in Salt Lake City. I’m inspired by art deco, vintage signs, hand-lettering, tattoo art and people. Art and bikes are two of my favorite things. I love the hidden symbolism and meanings behind common objects and everyday things, and oftentimes, that fascination will [...]

Always follow up. In their own words Mission Statement: To introduce DISTINCT visual design using many mediums, surfaces, and platforms. To combine with different producers all over the earth to produce strong and captivating phenomenons in many ways as possible. Contribute. Grow. Supply the DEMAND. Freelancer and founder of DE’BA Designs. I dig a challenge, [...]

Discover Buried Treasure. In their own words I am a designer living and working in a studio apartment in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I work in type design, branding, print design, among many. I enjoy collaborative projects, challenges and experiments. I enjoy formulating compelling stories, using only six words. Words of advice Discover Buried Treasure. Read old [...]

Keep your pencil sharp and your mind sharper. In her own words Hello there – my name is Zara Picken and I’m an illustrator currently living and working in Bristol, England. I create illustrations for editorial, publishing, advertising and more. My work is ideas-led, approaching subjects with an open mind and focusing on conveying concepts [...]

Be open and get lost. In her own words I’m an Illustrator and one half of Studio-Sweet-Studio.com. I recently moved to Brooklyn, NY, but I’ve lived in Minnesota, Nebraska, England, and Russia at different points and varying periods in my lifetime. I love looking at art nouveau architecture, gas-light era design, and comic books–especially by [...]

Make sure you have a voice. In her own words I am currently a graphic designer living and working in Portland, OR. My journey to graphic design started out in Fine Arts, which is still a very important part of my life. I work for a design studio called Sockeye where I work on primarily [...]

Never let yourself fall into a comfort zone just because something starts to work well for you. In her own words I’m a recent east-coast transplant, and I’m currently living in Brooklyn after having grown up in Los Angeles. I’m pursuing a career as an illustrator. My subject matter broadly includes people, plants and animals. [...]

Learn to not panic. I am a recent graduate from the awesome Graphic Design Communications program at Philadelphia University. I have been freelancing a little bit since my graduation in May, but right now most of my time is spent looking for career opportunities. As far as my work goes, I love to experiment with [...]

Don’t be afraid to approach the people you admire. In her own words I’m a freelance graphic designer, illustrator and screen printer currently living in Chicago. Recently I graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design where I got to hone in on my love of making pretty and useful things while being surrounded by [...]

Do what you do with Love… and everything else will follow. In her own words Hola! My name is Amaranta Martínez, I’m an illustrator from Venezuela. I worked as an Art Director for Nickelodeon Latin America for several years. One day I decided to move on, although it was very hard for me to part [...]

Just believe in yourself. In her own words The first time i wrote my name, i simply drew it. Each letter was different a character. That’s the way I understand the surrounding world and the sensations it evokes me. My work is an illustrated album of my feelings, my life in each of its different [...]

Always sketch. In her own words Hello! I’m a graphic designer, illustrator and stop-motion animator. I’m about to graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communication Design at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. I love using paper illustration and hand-made typography in my work. Apart from design, I love cooking, bike riding, reading, movie watching and [...]

Define your greatest strengths. In her own words I’m Diana Q, a Minneapolis designer and illustrator who enjoys cold cheeseburgers, log cabins, knowledge, inspiration and good illustration. I’m constantly intrigued by the interwebs and all the new avenues we as designers have, right at our fingertips. I also, greatly enjoy creating packaging and brands that [...]

Be yourself. In her own words Hi there, I’m an artist and illustrator with a love of hand drawn type. I live in Portland, OR making work inspired by staying motivated. When I’m not drawing letters I’m biking around the city, thrifting, playing with chalkboards or hanging out with my cat Peppy and rearranging the [...]

Surround yourself with people that are worth it, whether it’s friends or a job. In her own words I’m Ashley! I’m a graphic designer/illustrator living in Chicago. I am particularly fond of packaging design, illustration, infographics and publication. I currently work at a big fancy architecture firm, but my heart lies in D.I.Y design, zines, [...]

If you’re bored, you’re doing it wrong. In her own words I am a designer/illustrator born and raised in Rochester, NY, now living in Jacksonville, Florida. I have a passion for using watercolor and combining it with typography in my design. I have a strong affinity for toys from the ’80s. I love the smell [...]

We are all capable of great things, even though our great things will all be different. In her own words Hi. I grew up in a small Jersey shore town, and appreciate the cultural variety found in cities, as well as being close to nature. After studying illustration at Syracuse, I worked in London for [...]

Use the hours after dark and don’t feel guilty about doing the things you love… In her own words Once upon a time there was a freckly faced Irish girl named Sue. She loved to doodle, colour with her markers and imagine great things. One day she moved from her small town (actually a little [...]

Respect the work you’re doing. In her own words I’m a young and ambitious illustrator, and I’m trying to have a finger in every pie when it comes to showing off my work. I do zines, prints, shows, published work, contests (I am a winner of Creative Quarterly). I’m a passionate drawer in a variety [...]

Everything you want will fall into place with patience, hard work and a good attitude towards everything around you. True story. In her own words Elaine is a graphic designer originally from New Orleans, LA, and made her way to Chicago after working in exhibition design, stationery greetings, and advertising. Her work has been featured [...]

When someone tells you, you can’t do something, do it anyway. In her own words I am an Art Director, Designer, Illustrator and Type Geek who lives in Brooklyn. I am in love with this industry because it allows me to create things out of the ordinary for the world to recognize, think about and [...]

Be Obsessed with what you do! In her own words I happily make work for myself and for other good people. Currently I am an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Portland State University. When I am not teaching, I am making work about what we do with our stuff and the meaning behind our [...]

Be confident yet humble. In her own words I have just moved from Florida to San Francisco, CA to pursue my love—graphic design. Words of advice Be confident yet humble.

Designer and illustrator originally from Helsinki, Finland. In her own words I am a 24-year-old multidisciplinary designer and illustrator from Helsinki, Finland. Starting fall 2010, I have been based in New York City. I have studied graphic design and illustration at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and Rhode Island School of Design, and [...]

I learned early on that you can’t listen to negative people. In her own words I love my cat Nanerpus, eating pizza, and riding my bike. I sew plush and draw animals. Words of advice Making a living from my own art is a huge deal to me and something that I was always told [...]

Work hard but don’t be afraid to take breaks! In her own words I love hand-lettering and typography and applying that to as many projects as possible. I’m originally from Oklahoma (what up!) and after a short stint in Baltimore, I’m back here in grand OK, designing out of my Travel Villa (not an RV, [...]

Always keep a goal in mind In her own words I’m a designer and illustrator based in Portland, OR. Originally from the sunshine state and most recently a resident of the big apple, I’m now happily settled in the beautiful pacific northwest. I founded and co-run Always With Honor, a design and illustration collective with [...]

Persistence trumps talent. In her own words I was born in China and spent 1.5 years in England as a child. Then I moved to Toronto, Canada where I currently reside. In 2008, I graduated from Sheridan Institute’s BAA: Illustration program and have been making illustrations based on things I love: fashion, music and pin-up [...]

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. In her own words I’m a Typographer and Illustrator currently living and working in Brooklyn NY. I share a studio with several other talented illustrators and share my home with my two children cats and my boyfriend Russ Maschmeyer. Words of advice Be proud of the work [...]

We all can learn from each other. In her own words Hello! I’m Kristen Caston, a designer/illustrator/photographer/creative person with an extreme passion for typography and hand-drawn anything. My experience ranges from freelancing for small clients to designing for a large ad agency. I love surrounding myself with creative people and inspiring things. I get antsy [...]

My most creative work usually comes about when I’m not thinking so much. In her own words I’m a midwestern girl with a love for nostalgia, stylish women, candy, and all things nautical. I do mixed media illustration and love to use cut paper, ink, stamps, glitter, and anything to give a handmade touch to [...]

Get involved. In her own words I am a graphic designer & letterer based out of Brooklyn, NY. I enjoy high fives, fancy cocktails, yoga, noise rock, and cats…and will consider bartering for any of the above. Words of wisdom I believe one of the best parts of being a designer is the vibrant community [...]

Be friendly to everyone you meet and super dedicated and passionate about your work. In her own words I am a lover of all things design, craft, attention to detail, unique style and surrounding myself with good people and good times. I passionately create designs that have meaning and purpose, and aim to please every [...]

I’m an illustrator fascinated with nature, animals, cities, and all the details that make up this big world of ours. In her own words Hi! I’m an illustrator fascinated with nature, animals, cities, and all the details that make up this big world of ours. I love screenprinting, crazy patterns, retro style, my little dog, [...]

Don’t you ever give up girl. In her own words I am a graphic designer, illustrator, artist, crafter and most of all animal lover. When I graduated collage I couldn’t find a design job to save my life and being a waitress was taking a creative toll on me. So I started my own small, [...]

Take some time to do fun projects! In her own words Hi! My name is Sol Linero, I’m a graphic designer/illustrator from Argentina. I graduated from the University of Buenos Aires and after working at local design studios for a while moved to Miami. There I was immersed in the american vintage style and fell [...]

Networking, collaborating and involvement… In her own words I am a Chicago graphic designer and artist! I have always loved the idea of finding, reusing, creating from old things. My art involves freehand painting on all found materials – particularly vintage windows, glass pieces and reused wood. Im constantly running through Ukrainian Village alleys searching [...]

I think when we insert our point of view, we spur conversations and truly have an opportunity to instigate change. In her own words I am always interested in design work related to social change, environment concerns, or contemporary art. Currently I’m doing contracted and volunteer design work for the Chicago Nature Museum and assisting [...]

Never underestimate how you can help change the world. In her own words HI! I’m Katherine Major and I’m a curiously whimsical graphic designer. Why curiously whimsical? I believe design should incorporate clever concepts and a sense of fun. My love for art started when I was a kid and would skip recess to work [...]

Who cares if they’ll like it? Do you like it? Now act accordingly! In her own words On a good day I’m a designer/problem solver, but every other day I’m just looking for an excuse to draw. I’m a Rust Belt native, though I think I’ll always love LA. I got schooled in the ways [...]

Keep your standards high. In her own words I graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BFA in Art Direction in 2008. I enjoy advertising and graphic design. But my real passion is illustration and painting! I started drawing at age 2 and haven’t quit since. When I’m not at work, I am either doodling, [...]

Be persistent and having chutzpah is a must. In her own words A native Houstonian with roots in Chicago and New York, Carrie is a graduate from the School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) who focused her studies in graphic design and visual communications. Carrie took the risk of her life; she left [...]

I think the most important attribute to have as a female creative is self confidence. In her own words I am focused, creative, independent, realistic and interested. I am a designer, a blogger and a traveler. I am passionate about patterns, the sea, nature, fresh air, animals, good books, movies and music. Previously illustrating for [...]

Speak your mind simply. In her own words I come up with strategic ideas. I have fun on crazy deadlines. I have resolute opinions and ideas but have no problem being proven wrong. I like presenting to clients 99.9% of the time, which is, understandably, crazy. Words of advice When it comes to expelling energy, [...]

Enjoy the journey in each and every project. In her own words A story teller, problem solver, facilitator and provider of comic relief. Currently, I am the Coordinator for Instructional Fabrication at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a utility player, my daily responsibilities range from graphic design to administrative tasks as [...]

Being alongside other creative professionals has really opened my eyes to what one is capable of. In her own words I am a graphic designer for a paper craft and stationery company. I love designing patterns and pretty things, but my main love is drawing and painting people. Currently I am really into old mugshots [...]

Be authentic, do not buy into the hype, listen to your gut and trust yourself. In her own words Trained as a graphic designer, I am currently living in New Orleans and teaching graphic design at Loyola University. My work focuses on the relationship between text and interpretation of messages. The messages I experiment with [...]

If you don’t have people asking you for work, learn to create work for yourself, and that will usually lead you to the next great project. In her own words I am an illustrator with a background in printmaking. I think of myself and my work as being pretty ‘analog’. I like watercolor, ink, graphite, [...]