I discovered Mal's beautiful illustrations on Instagram and recently we met in real life at the Hepworth Xmas Market where we were both exhibiting. I can remember thinking how lovely it would be to feature his work on my blog - so I'm thrilled he agreed to answer my questions. Find out more about his business and work in the interview below.
Tell us a bit about your business - what do you do?
For the longest time I worked as a graphic designer but during the pandemic, I decided to take a different creative route and become an illustrator. I’ve done lots of creative jobs in my 20 year career, but illustration has always linked those jobs together.
The jump from design to illustration was really fuelled by starting to do a 366 day challenge (it was a leap year) where I would draw something every day for a year. This just happened to be 2020 where for the first time I had a lot of time on my hands and people were on social media way more than usual. I was lucky to have a few insta posts that did really well and my following grew. I started producing prints, getting commissions, and speedily moving away from being a designer.
Drawing every day for a year meant my style developed most days until I found what I was happiest drawing. I still draw most days now and still continue to tweak how I draw and I find the constant revision similar to my old job as a designer.
What is your typical work day like and where do you do your design work?
It’s what I love about the job, my days vary so much and where/how I work is rarely the same from day to day. Some days I find a sunny spot at home or in a cafe, drawing and writing for commissions, other days I make content for Instagram and YouTube in my studio, and sometimes I’m at a market speaking to people.
How do you create your designs and illustrations - do you have a favourite tool?
I predominantly use my iPad Pro for drawing and writing. It’s portable and it allows me to create whenever I feel inspired to make something. Having said that, I do have an ever-growing pencil and eraser collection and I have found myself going back to basics which is fun.
Some days I take time to explore new mediums like screen printing, 3D and animation.
What’s the best thing about being a creative business owner?
Easy, working when I feel productive, not when I’m told to. I find I’m not that productive in the mornings so I don’t push it, but when the afternoon and evening comes I jump into action. That flexibility is so freeing.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
Value yourself and know your worth.
What advice would you give other creative businesses starting out?
My dad once said that “if you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” - I’ve found this to be true and it’s something I use to base most decisions on. Enjoy what you do and if you don’t, change it.
Do you have any exciting plans for your business in the future?
I plan to move into creating self published books. I’ve always wanted to make a book and in the next month or so Ill be launching a Kickstarter to try and make it real.
I’ll also be continuing to produce new videos on my YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/channel/UCirAH4sHa62zyprBG6GoD5w)
Where can people find out more about you?
Well, I have a few links 😊
My site: www.malmade.com
Insta: @mal_made
TikTok: @mal_made
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