Camilla Engman is a graphic designer, illustrator and artist. She has open up her own webpage, called, camillaengman.com. Lately we contacted her and had an email interview, which goes as...
1. My first question is, who is Camilla Engman in flesh and blood?
Camilla: A woman who tries to have two big feet on the ground.
2. Could you please acquaint us with your work and the method employed?
Camilla: Every method gives something special to the process and of course to the result. My illustrations are often made with pencil, ink-pen or brush. I scan them and then I trim and colorize, maybe add some texture to it, all in the computer. I worked as a Graphic Designer for ten years, I think that helps me a lot when I make illustrations. To know how to build tension in to the illustration, how to place elements and so on. To paint keep me close to color.
3. Camilla, how do you select and decide about the topics you’ve to work on? What fuels the fire within you to keep going on and on?
Camilla: The fuel is the creativity itself. It’s like I have a scene and is given a certain prop to use, the prop I have in my own baggage. Then the scene changes but not the prop.
4. When working on a design project for a client, how do you get started?
Camilla: I read the text they want me to illustrate. Sometimes it’s just a few words. I keep it in my mind for a day, if possible. Then it’s time to start working on paper, sometimes everything goes very smooth, and the illustration is just there, sometimes not. Maybe this will be a disaster. I panic a little bit and then pull myself together, starting the best part of the process, collecting words and ideas, looking for inspiration. And then I start making the illustration. Hopefully both the client and I are happy with the result.
5. From your website Camillaengman.com, it seems that you sell your products as well, so here my question is, do you have some online stores as well?
Camilla: Mostly my calendar, but some of them even have prints when there is some. Art Star, Reform School, Rare Device, Mahar Drygoods, Avalanche Looms, Room 30, Avolli, Here, Shelf, Rose and Radish, Greener grass design, Koo de Kir, and MOCA to name a few.
6. How has graphic design changed in the last five years in terms of what designers are doing better and what needs improving?
Camilla: These days I’m not so much in to Graphic design. But I think that people over all are more interested in design, and crave better design. I think to make good design you always need to care.
7. Camilla, what are your other interests besides your work? How are you able to snatch out time for so many things? I would appreciate if you can share your working and lifestyle with us.
Camilla: My work is wide and also my interest. So if it is not clearly work it is often for gathering inspiration. Like music, exhibitions, films and plays. I love to walk, walk in the forest, walk in the mountains, walk in the city, in my surrounding or in foreign countries. Walking, traveling, drinking coffee or wine at cafe’s with friends are my favorite pastimes.
8. Where do you see yourself after five years? I mean any dreams or plans, for the coming future?
Camilla: I’m very happy with my life as it is, unfortunately one always have to evolve :) I would like to travel, to exhibit around the world, to meet web-friends in different countries.
9. Any parting words of wisdom, you’d like to give to our readers?
Camilla: ....take care of your life.
Now, it’s time for a rapid fire round:
1. What is the best feeling in the world?
Camilla: I did it!
2. What is the worst feeling in the world?
Camilla: I did it...
3. What is your favorite beverage?
Camilla: Red wine
4. What is your favorite word or phrase?
Camilla: Lust
5. What is your greatest accomplishment (so far)?
Camilla: To be where I am.
6. If given a week’s holidays, how would you like to spend them?
Camilla: Kayaking in the Swedish archipelago.
Before signing off, I’d like to thank Camilla for this wonderful interview and wish her luck for all her future endeavors.
