I saw this on Etsy shop, just love it , and I want to share her design story with y'all!! If you are a cat lover just like me. this one will make you excited!
Eeva Margita is designed and created by Niina Aoki. The brand takes strong influences from the Finnish and Japanese cultures; as this is Niina's personal heritage. The brand is a constantly evolving journey into the bright, ultra modern colours of Japan with the traditional, folksy culture of the Finnish country side, where bears and foxes live in a landscape of bright, clean colours.
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Q: Would you share with us how you started to create your art work? I've always been a creative person. When I was little I was most happy with some pencils and paper. I initially started my brand Eeva Margita, being inspired my mother's photos from the 70s. It then evolved to things I liked and when I bought my cat Panko, I loved him so much I wanted to make products with his face on it. I'm also inspired by animals, Scandinavian and Japanese design, and nature.
Q: What is your working schedule like? I try to fit it in wherever I can! I generally get most of my work done in the day time. I'm not much of a night owl (although I'm not really a morning person either!)
Q: Which type of material do you like to use the most and why? I love a plain piece of paper, doesn't have to be fancy, and a black ink pen. It lets me draw freely without having to worry about mistakes to erase which can lead to happy accidents. Q: Which piece is your favorite or sells the best? My favourite piece is the full bodied Panko cushion! It's a little smaller than the real thing but just so cute.
Q: Do you remember when you sold your first item and how you felt? I think my first item I sold was at a craft market and it felt great! Just knowing that somebody actually enjoys your work and thinks it's worth handing money over for it feels so validating. It means that all your hard work is worth something. Q: What's the hardest part of your design career? Confidence. Sometimes it can be really hard to keep doing what you do when there are so many other designers out there who you feel are 'better'. But I try not to think about it and tell myself that I am good and there is a place for me and everybody else in the market. Also the business side of things is really hard to get my head around!
Q: Which part of working do you enjoy the most? When I draw something and it comes out just as I see it in my head! Q: What it your next project? I've been thinking about doing a project in the new year involving illustrations I do of other people's cats. Q: What kind of books do you like to read, and what kind of music do you like? I love reading so much. I like to read funny romance novels or horror novels (I know, they are so different to each other!). I like music although I don't really listen to it much, but when I do these days I like listening to First Aid Kit, Iwan Rheon, Marina & the Diamonds, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Alt-J, Husky Rescue, Jukka Ässä.
Q: If you were not a designer, what do you think you would be? Either working with animals or in the medical field. Q:.If young people want to follow the same path as you, what would you suggest? Don't get too hung up on what everyone else is doing. Do what comes naturally to you regardless of whether it is 'on trend' or not. Check out her more design here: |
