Drawn to design

Alicia Souza, Happiness Illustrator

I remember seeing, as a child, a cartoon of a beach scene. There were about 30 people in it, doing different things. I loved it and I’ve wanted to draw like that ever since! It’s what comes to my mind when I think of my favourite illustration.

My first illustration project was for a newspaper, at my portfolio review at college. I had so much fun with it that I realised it was all I wanted to do if I stuck to a creative field. That was when I also knew I could perhaps earn a little dough by drawing too!

If I were to name the one influence on my style of illustrating, the answer would be — Impatience! On a more serious note, I’ll say that I’ve found something inspiring in the work of every artist, although I do have weak spots for certain designers like Stefan Sagmeister and Alan Fletcher and illustrators like Quentin Blake and Edward Gorey. They are all so wonderful!

The themes that occur in my cartoons are usually those that occur in my life too. So dogs, a chocolate obsession, and sometimes just plain happiness or funnies can pop up in my illustrations at times.

When illustrating for a particular product, I like to know what product I want to work with and do an illustration to fit it instead of just slapping on an illustration to fit a product. Sometimes, however, some illustrations just fit! For example, I did a lungi illustration recently and it fit perfectly on a mug and everyone seemed to love it too!

I just started my online store, so I’m absolutely stocked with things to do in relation to that. I hope to work on many collaborations next year and have my fingers crossed that I’ll have enough time to do a book, work with wood and perhaps create a new character.