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Interview: Marina Muñoz

02 Dec 2014

Even more interviews, did you think we were going to stop? On this new instalment, we interview Marina Muñoz, an hiper-creative artist from Valencia who combines diverse disciplines like graphic design, photography and, of course, illustration!.

Marina Muñoz

How did you get into the world of graphic design and illustration? Was it what you wanted to do in the first place?

Drawing was kind of a compulsion since I was a kid, as was sculpting. My mother would find me sculpting classes (thanks to Ximo Moroder, potter, to treat me like a proper person even if I was 3!). They also would tell me that I could study Fine Arts when I was a grown up, and I didn't doubt to do so when the time was right. I discovered graphic design by luck: I found out that it was an interesting profession to channel my creativity (I didn't feel like teaching and illustration did seem impossible to me at that time) and pursued a master course in Barcelona to get more experience on that area. I always enjoyed studying, and would like to pursue more studies in illustration, as I now know it is the foundation of my passion in visual creation.

You combine diverse types of work: photography, graphic and identity design, lettering and illustration, personal projects.. Do you think is important to diversify, o would you like to be able to focus on one of these activities?

This comes mainly for my love of learning new things and my own unfocused nature! Some people find my profile interesting while others will say I'm too creative and not "commercial" enough. I think this is better for freelancing rather than having a secured employment position at an agency, so I'm determined to focus on my main strength: creativity. I'm betting on developing my personal or "arty" (I've been also called this) side.

How do you find client and work? What role does the Internet and social media play in this process??

I mainly get clients by contacts and word of mouth, people who has seen my work through other people or friends who recommended me. I'm glad because this way I'm doing a lot of illustration work that I will be able to show soon.

Internet is a pending matter to me. Having a portfolio website is key, but getting clients through it takes time and work, and I want to focus on that right now. I learnt a lot from a serigraphy experiment I did on etsy with some friends (MariMariPi), and now I want to apply all that experience on social media for myself. I see it all like a long distance race.

Marina Muñoz

How do you deal client work, projects and deadlines? What qualities does a client and project need to have for you to feel comfortable and motivated?

I try to set clear deadlines and terms from the very beginning, as projects usually tend to extend themselves over time (usually due to clients). I learnt this the hard way: not having this matters set up front can make the project a total mess.

I feel comfortable when there is good communication and I feel respected as a proffesional (and the client does not waste my time). If you add creative freedom, good fees and an interesting project, you got the perfect work!

And last, but not least: any advice for aspiring illustrators just starting up their careers?

Don't make the same mistakes that I did! Draw a lot, build a portfolio and promote it on the right platforms, social channels, agencies, etc. Start charging for those "cute drawings" that your friends like, try to auto-publish yourself. Don't get overwhelmed by fears and insecurities! There are thousands of great illustrators but you've got your unique voice: work it and improve it, if you show it to the world something awesome can happen!

Thanks a lot Marina!


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