UPB Graduate Interview: Pupapop

Today we are excited to share with you an interview with Pupapop a designer and illustrator living in sunny Madrid. Pupapop is a graduate of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder which she took in September 2015.

When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?

My interest for design started at high school. I have always loved drawing, since I was a little child. I used to spend hours and hours creating my own images and characters, or enjoying beautiful illustrations from the story books my mom gave me. I never spent a day without drawing. I was an addict!. Then I decided to go to college and start Graphic Design as a career. I feel that the knowledge I got there was so useful for the creative activities that came later… because design, as a concept, can be applied to every project you have to face. Pattern Design came later, in a moment when I felt I needed to refresh my career as a designer: at that time I was looking for new challenges, new techniques, and an activity that allowed me to gather all that I have been learning in previous years with my love for drawing. So I decided to start “Introduction to Pattern Design” and “Professional Pattern Design” courses at Circulo Textil, which is the best and most professional place to learn in Madrid.

What steps did you take to get to where you are now as a designer?

Studying with the best professionals you can find. Then learn, learn a lot from them. Do research, see and see more and more works of the best illustrators or artists you admire. Fill your eyes with what you love to see. Then explore, explore your skills, create what you love to see, what you truly enjoy seeing. Get involved in contests and design challenges to gain confidence. Ask professionals when you do not know. And never stop taking lessons and e-courses whenever you can! That keeps you always exploring, pushing the limits beyond.

How would you describe your style?

My style is like a visual soup where I put some quirky, playful novelty ingredients mixed with florals, geos and hand drawn texts. Then I add some urban and “cartoon-esque” touches.

What kind of designer do you want to be known as?

A modern, versatile and very original one.

What are you working on currently?

I am currently launching my own line of products: notebooks, totes, backpacks, pins and neck scarves. I am producing the prototypes. And I am really excited! I like what I see and that encourages me to go on walking this new business path!

What advice would you give emerging designers wanting to build their portfolios?

I would say that it is important to have a versatile portfolio, to show your potential clients all your design skills. That is why is so important to learn and explore different styles and techniques. But if you, after being learning, find a defined style and you feel confident with it, I would try to focus on that, because it is your real strength. And if you have a defined client in mind, it is good that you go for it through your particular style.

What would be your dream design gig?

To work in a project for IdleWild Co. Or to show my designs at Printsource one day!

Looking ahead what are your major goals for the next couple of years?

To have a solid business with my products. To make my blog “In Pattern We Trust” a place of reference for patterns designers from all over the world. To meet and learn from very interesting professionals. And to teach through my own online courses

(that is something that I already began to plan!).

If you were a pattern what kind of a pattern would you be and why?

A novelty pattern! :)

What was the most important lesson you took away from UPB?

The most important was the confidence I gained, thanks to the excellent creative exercises and live briefs and the amazing UPB community of fellow designers that kindly shared works, feedback and their knowledge.

What difference did it make to have a supportive community of fellow students and how important do you think that will be going forward?

Oh! It is very important to have people that know your works, know your “learning history” inside the community, supports you, and gives you precious feedback. It is great that you can do that with them too, because when you give feedback, you too learn, you train your eye, your technical vocabulary and the best of all… you walk together with the others in the learning process. You feel not alone at all!

Please tell us about your experience of the live briefs and student work reviews.

I unfortunately could not submit my works for the student reviews because of personal issues, but the reviews of my fellows were extremely useful and thorough, and everybody felt happy and satisfied with them. I loved the live briefs because they were varied and gave us a versatile way of exercising all we have learnt during the lessons. And I have to strongly highlight the importance of having the feedback from an expert like Printsource producer, Massimo Iacoboni. The experiences and comments he shared were a real treasure!

I am a pattern designer, illustrator and blogger living in Madrid (Spain).

I have been immersed in the Graphic Communication world for more than 10 years. It provided me with a rich experience working as an illustrator, designer, and Art director in Advertising, Marketing and Printed Graphics production agencies. In 2014 I have discovered Pattern Design and it was definitely love at first sight. I didn’t stop until I became a professional! I always keep studying and learning to gain new skills and discover new amazing techniques from expert pattern designers/artists and their online courses.

My inspiration sources are art, fashion, nature, photography, science, Instagram, Pinterest, books and music. I love to create vibrant, attractive, visually powerful and interesting contemporary designs/collections, that express very good sensations and tell stories.

I have worked for small confidential commissions, and some textile projects so far. I work freelance and for commissioned works, collaborations, licensing -I sell my designs in my website, in a private area only for clients- and I make collection development for brands.

I am also happily launching my own line of products right now: stationery, textile and gift items with some urban-pop touches.

Amazed by what you see above from our talented students? Join our latest class of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder starting March 21, 2016.