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Experience the light vintage touch of Freelance Illustrator & Designer Natalia Maca | #MemberSpotlight

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Curiosity is the key to any creative professional's success. The willingness to learn and improve your own knowledge over time is an essential soft skill to have and one that will take you far in your journey in the creative industries. It is also among the toughest ones to develop; which is why many illustrators in the industry will find great wisdom and inspiration in Natalia Maca's work.

Natalia is a freelance illustrator and designer from Germany, and her journey into the realm of illustration started as soon as she got her BA from the Cambridge School of Art at ARU. Since then, her style developed to embrace multi-disciplinary illustration, mastering a broad range of tools and approaches to visualise her creative ideas. Through colour, composition and typography, Natalia creates some of the most visually captivating, fascinating and evocative works you'll see on Creativepool – with a flat, incredibly expressive style featuring a gentle touch of vintage.

In this Member Spotlight, we are learning more about Natalia Maca, an Illustrator and Designer from Germany with a great passion for animation and motion graphics.

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How did you get into the industry?

I've got BA in Illustration from Cambridge School of Art at ARU; straight after that, I started to explore the world of illustration as a creative career.

Where are you based now and who do you work for?

I'm based in Regensburg, Germany, and I'm freelancing accepting commissions worldwide.

If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?

I've got a diploma in Fashion Design, Interior Design, explored the Photography world, I know for sure that it would be something creative.

Can you explain your creative process? What makes it unique?

My creative process begins with idea development in the sketched form and seeing how I can deliver visuals to the viewer to tell the story. Then choose the colour palette, think about how design and composition help to deliver the message more clearly. After the piece has a voice, I love to play with colours and find the perfect tune for the illustration so that each element has a purpose and the final image feels balanced. 

What makes every artist unique is the ability to deliver the idea with their distinctive visual voice or a signature that belongs only to them. We all use the same tools and software, but as soon the artist makes exclusive touch that belongs only to them, that is what makes it unique.

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How would you describe your style?

My visual language leans toward flat illustration with a light vintage touch and communicates with the viewer in an informative but at the same time fun manner. I love to tell stories in my illustrations and think about every detail when composing the piece by adding colour and textures.

Which individuals do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?

Wow, difficult question. In recent years we have grown so fast as an industry, and there are so many talented creatives that impact the world today; it will be tough to name only a few individuals. However, we live in an incredible time in history where being a creative person made it possible for so many artists and be heroes in their own way. 

What tips would you give to aspiring creatives looking for work?

Patience. Patience. Patience. Never stop learning and making discoveries; sometimes, opportunities wait for us at the least expected places.

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What tips would you give to other professionals to get more clients?

Be honest.

Be a human being.

Be reliable. 

Have an ability to see the project from a client perspective. 

What kind of tools/kit/software could you not do without?

My diary, Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, Affinity Designer.

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What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?

Each part of my creative process keeps me inspired and motivated, that's for sure. When you choose illustration as a career, the process involves many professions simultaneously; one day, you're are creative director, then a marketing agent, designer, journalist, researcher, illustrator, and the list can continue.

Also, the projects I'm working on keep me inspired, whether it's personal or commercial; so far, I've been lucky enough to work with amazing people and bring their creative ideas to life. 

What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?

The achievement I'm most proud of is working on the environmental projects that make the change towards a better future on the planet.

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What is the one thing that you would change about the industry?

I'm pleased with the industry and happy that I have the opportunity of being creative. 

Any websites, books or resources you would recommend?

I love listening to podcasts, and my top three at the moment regarding illustration and creativity are Illustration Hour, Motion Hatch Podcast and School of Motion Podcast. I also get inspired by the guests of Rich Roll Podcast. 

Ted Talks: Design https://www.ted.com/topics/design

99U https://99u.adobe.com

Illustrator Magoz has a fantastic site with resources and helpful tools for those who are starting out: https://illustration.tools

Affinity Spotlight blog they have inspiration sections, and I love reading interviews with illustrators and other creatives: https://affinityspotlight.com

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