Nina Clausonet is a freelance illustrator and communication designer enjoying life in in the middle of nature with her family, in a small village in Upper Bavaria, Germany. She works primarily in the areas of editorial and product design. Her style is feminine, positive and colorful and her artistic mantra is spreading joy and hope with her illustrations. We’re in love with her work that makes summer feel like a magical year round celebration, so we asked Nina everything you want to know about her!
1. What are the experiences that formed you as a professional illustrator and what were the steps that guided you along this path?
Of course every challenge formed me as an illustrator. Every high and low, every defeat, every success. A very formative event was when I was rejected from art school. That threw me off course and made me doubt myself and my art. Afterwards I tried to pretend and paint more abstractly because that’s what the professor wanted me to do – but it didn’t suit me at all. I felt like I had to deny myself. After this crisis, I still decided to continue with art and not get discouraged. I was lucky that my parents were so supportive of me going forward and looking back, I’m glad that it turned out exactly the way it did. I then ended up in styanother (much better) school that supported me a lot and had great professors. This rejection almost led to me giving up my passion, painting. I’ve learned that other people’s opinions aren’t what matters. Today I am much more self-confident and can handle criticism well without it shaking me to the core because I know that it’s okay not to please everyone. That was one of the most important lessons in my life.
Since I always loved painting, I knew early on that I wanted to learn a creative profession. So I decided to study communication design in Munich and later gained experience in various design agencies until I became self-employed in 2009. Since 2020 I have also had an Instagram account on which I share my illustrations as well as insights into my everyday life as an artist and my customer projects. Now more than follow me there 30,000 people. The growing interest in my works has already resulted in various illustration commissions, including from Faber Castell, MOKA magazine, GiveWrappr, MyMuesli and TeenBreathe magazine.
2. The geometry and vibrancy of your works are very recognizable. What are the artistic influences that you feel have made their way quietly into your work, filling you with inspiration for bringing new ideas and illustrations to life?
My style has developed unconsciously over the years through constant practice and experimentation and – I think – has not yet reached the end. Artists that I admire and that inspire me are definitely Miró, Klimt, Matisse, Tamara de Lempicka and Picasso – just to name a few. But actually everything around me inspires me – I absorb impressions like a sponge, take photos of interesting situations and really enjoy browsing through bookstores. I love being in nature, strolling through streets and listening to music. All of life is a great source of inspiration.
3. What do you think is important for clients to know about illustrators & their practice?
I think the most important basis for a successful collaboration is the appreciation of the illustration work. It is also helpful to see illustration as part of a process that needs to evolve. Good ideas take time. The best jobs are those where the customer is given complete freedom and the project develops gradually. The process is a give and take, an inspiring exchange. This way everyone involved can grow – that’s wonderful.
MokaMagazin
4. You are working and living in Germany. How does the illustration scene look there?
Since I work from my small studio, I don’t get to see much of the „scene”. Although I love visiting museums and going to art exhibitions, I am otherwise a person who likes to work alone in peace – that is when I am most productive.
Brio Magazine
5. What are your favourite collaborations or projects from the past two years and how were they meaningful to you?
Oh, I could name a few, but working with Brio Magazine is always great because they really value my work and represent the same values as me. I also love that I am always challenged to think about a completely new topic, research and collect ideas – that’s what I love so much about my job. Another great project close to my heart were the designs that I created for Givewrappr: here I created an illustration in different color variations for a sustainable furoshiki scarf made of cotton, which can be used as gift wrapping using a special folding technique and then as a scarf.
Photo@givewrappr
6. Tell us more about the thematic and #DTIYS art challenges you host on Instagram, either by yourself or joined by other fellow illustrators. How do you think these impact the creative community and what benefit is there in them for an illustrator that is just starting out?
On the one hand, the competitions are absolutely fun, they are an opportunity to illustrate things that you would perhaps never draw yourself, so they challenge you personally and in your art. You will also get to know other artists, network with others and – especially as a beginner – have the opportunity to be seen better on Instagram. The hosts often share their favorite interpretations in their story, which can make others aware of you: your reach increases. I can only recommend that everyone take part in good challenges: you can only benefit from them – personally and in the artistic area.
7. You have a wonderful online shop with a variety of illustrated goodies.Which products have you noticed have the tendency to sell best or fastest?
In fact, the annual calendar that I always release in the fall is the best seller. Here are the 12 most popular illustrations from the whole year, along with motivating self-care sayings. All illustrations are also large enough to be cut out and framed as a 21 x 21 cm picture.
8. What is one of the biggest challenges that you have come across in your art business?
I think the biggest challenge is listening to your own intuition. There are people who don’t do you any good or want to take advantage of you. Being able to distinguish this from honest people takes a lot of wisdom.
9. What does it mean to „succeed” in this field and what does that success look like to you? Is success, online or offline, a worthwhile goal?
I think success can look different for everyone. For me, success is being able to do what I want, being able to pursue my passion – illustrating and designing. In general, my top priority is not what is traditionally understood by success, but rather that I can inspire, encourage and build people up through my illustrations. If that results in success, I’ll be happy about it. I know that everything I have is a gift from God, and it’s nice if I can pass on this blessing in some way through my art.
Photo@mymuesli
10. Let’s talk a little about the „ugly stage” in the process of creating an illustration. What is it and how do you treat it? Are you satisfied or do you always enjoy what you create?
No, definitely not! Very often I don’t like my pictures at first, then I experiment and change the picture until I’m satisfied. I’m too ambitious to give up. 🙂 And sometimes I still don’t like the illustration at the end, then I’ve learned that that’s okay and it’s part of the process. You don’t always have to like everything – there can be good and bad pictures. I think developing this calmness is very important as an artist.
11. What is your dream project that you can’t wait to work on one day?
There would be many! 🙂 I would really like to design chocolate packaging, illustrate book covers, a puzzle or book cover. Creating illustrations for the fashion sector, for example for swimwear or sportswear, would also be great. Anything that has to do with interior design and product design would be a dream. I am open to everything and look forward to new challenges.
5MinutenTagebuch
12. Tell us 5 facts about yourself! 🙂
1// I love all seasons. Each one is a wonderful place to recharge your batteries.
2// I am happy when I listen to music or stroll through the streets and discovering new things is best
both together…
3// I look for inspiration in Art exhibitions and browsing through bookstores from which I never come away empty-handed.
4// I love to go to the sea and dwell on thoughts in a shady place.
5// Sustainable projects with social commitment are my favorite. I design scarves that can be used as waste-free gifts pack can be converted into prints, which are sold for a good cause.
13. If you were the main actor in a movie, how would you start and end the movie?
Oh, what an interesting question – I’ll have to think about it. 🙂 I personally enjoy films that are thrilling and inspiring – I would do the same. The ending of my film would definitely be positive and hopeful, full of life and inspiration.
*All artworks & photographs, unless otherwise specified, are part of the interviewee’s personal archives.
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