Hasta La Creative!

Soniya Bhase is an illustrator and graphic designer who loves to create things that tell a story. Her work is often colourful and involves a mix of lettering and illustration. She loves dogs but draws cats better.

Why are you an Illustrator?
I really like the combination of words and visuals in design. As an illustrator, I can experiment and entangle them both in my narratives and that is the main reason I am an illustrator.

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
I have been a part of three design schools. Rachana Sansad College of Applied Arts and Craft in Bombay, Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in Bangalore and School of Visual Arts in New York.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
Although I had developed an interest in illustration almost 10 years back, I only started illustrating seriously 4 years ago. I still don’t think I have a style because being a graphic designer sometimes meddles with the way I illustrate taking me to explore new things that may not necessarily belong to the same family. So a style is something that is ever evolving for me.

You also do a lot of packaging design with your illustration work. Tell us about your personal favourite packaging design jobs.
I currently work full time as a packaging designer, and never leave an opportunity to illustrate if the project calls for it. I don’t have a favourite yet, but I am working on something very exciting for Christmas this year that has a huge chance of making it to the list.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
I think my parents would be my role models growing up because both of them worked really hard to achieve what they wanted in life and also to ensure that me and my sister had a lovely childhood despite all odds. I am very blessed to have a wonderful family.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Illustrations?
Maira Kalman. Her work makes me think.

What made you decide to become a freelance illustrator? When did you start freelancing? Do you illustrate for advertising?
It started when I was freelancing as a graphic designer about 3 years ago, where the client I was working for asked me if I could also illustrate for the project. I am open to illustrating for advertising, but since I have a full time job, I end up skipping a lot of projects I am not very drawn towards.

Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
I think illustration is still gaining significance as a profession in India, so I don’t think it is very dominant in Indian advertising yet. However, you do see a handful brands that embrace it very happily, which is a very welcoming change. My personal experiences as a freelance illustrator have been with publishers and design studios.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrating?
Never.

Have you considered turning your illustrations into toys?
I have, however, that is a different industry altogether, and I would want to get into it when am ready to give it my all. Right now my priorities are a little different.

Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire?
I love everything made by Sandhya Prabhat and Chaaya Prabhat.

Do you have any favorite fellow illustrators or resources relating to your fields?
I love Natalya Balnova’s work a lot and I first saw it on Behance. So I would say Behance is a great platform to discover a variety of illustrators and some awesome work. For visual inspiration and words to chew on, I head to Maria Popova’s BrainPickings.

You have such a wide experience as a top working professional. What advice do you have for aspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on Illustration as a career option? Is it paying well enough?
This is a very important question, because the sad truth is illustration does not pay well, especially if you are starting out. I have to say that it does change over time, along with how your work takes shape as well and the kind of market that needs the kind of work you do. So my advice would be to delve into illustration one step at a time till you have a good understanding of the industry scenario and how to manoeuvre it instead of diving straight into it. Keep at it, work hard, give it your all, don’t give up and produce work that makes you happy.

Whats your dream project?
That is a long list, but working on with Walt Disney Studios in Burbank has been a childhood dream.

Mac or PC?
Mac

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
I would like to take Alain De Botton out for dinner and Maira Kalman out for some cake.

What’s on your iPod?
I don’t own an iPod, but I am grateful for ProCreate on my iPad.

Whats your Twitter Handle?
Zylentia. But am more active on Instagram @soniya.bhase and always creating things at www.soniyabhase.com