Helen Lee

Helen Lee is an independent illustrator born and raised in Uzbekistan. She specializes in everyday illustrations that use vibrant colors, depth of form, and multi-layered composition, paying special attention to details. She uses light to render ordinary things in a way that makes them special, and has applied this unique illustration style to commissions for everything from science exhibition covers, to game promotion posters, and advertising campaigns.

Hi Helen! Tell us about yourself - how did you get to where you are today? When did you first become interested in art and design?

My name is Helen Lee but you can also call me Lee Art. I am an independent illustrator, was born and raised in Uzbekistan, and I belong to the group of ethnic Koreans in the post-Soviet space (Koryo-Saram). For the past year and a half, I have been traveling the world, drawing a lot, and talking about how important it is to love and notice things around us. To do this, I started sharing my art journey. I have long decided for myself that my life will be connected by creativity.

From childhood, I studied traditional painting and could not even imagine where it would lead me. In college, my specialty was environmental design, and at that time, I wanted to be an interior designer. But, I always longed to draw more. Then, digital art appeared in my life, and everything changed. I love to remember this because for the first time, I tried working as an illustrator thanks to my husband.

He gave me an iPad, and after that, everything changed. I found the right application for all my skills.

Illustrator Helen Lee

How would you describe your aesthetic and how has your design style changed over time?

I pay special attention to details, such as a little bird flying by almost unnoticed or a small piece of food, as if it was bitten off by someone a little earlier. There is a lot of light in my work, which allows you to feel the moment in life. I always draw ordinary things, but I try to make them special. You could say that these are everyday illustrations of life. That is my aesthetic.

As for the style of my illustrations, it has indeed changed a bit. I think I started paying more attention to details and how they affect the overall picture. And, of course, my color palette has become much brighter. I think this is only because I lived by the sea for a very long time.

Are there particular themes you like to explore in your work?

I would most likely like to continue exploring the themes I am currently discussing, about how to express emotions and express oneself through art. I also think I would like to explore the theme of travel and everything related to everyday life.

You’ve said that you like to focus on mood in your illustrations. How do you convey emotion through your artwork?

Yes, I consider this to be one of my main principles. After all, each of my illustrations is a piece of my life. I really immerse myself in the mood that I draw in my illustrations. It's a kind of message transmission. I convey how I see and relate to the world through my art. Mostly, the important things here are shapes, colors, and composition – as in any illustration. It's just that in my works, everything starts with emotion and the other elements are added later.

What is your creative process like? How do you approach creative collaboration?

I'll start by saying that I'm always open to any creative collaborations. Sometimes it's necessary to look at your work from a different perspective, and collaboration can really help with that. If I were to describe my creative process, it always starts with choosing a playlist. This helps me get into the right mood. I like to think before starting a sketch. I enjoy imagining the illustration already completed, envisioning what emotions it will evoke, what color palette I'll use. After that, I start to analyze and choose the strongest ideas, according to my point of view. I prefer drawing big figures and colors right away. I begin to analyze the event that's causing a particular emotion. The mood shapes the color, the time of day or even the season.

And then comes the most interesting part: just think, I can decide where each object will be, where the sun will be shining, what season it will be, and I'm not even mentioning all the other details. It's as if I'm creating an entire world in which I can bring any memory or idea to life.

What’s been one of your favorite projects to work on so far? What would be a dream project?

At the moment, most of my attention is focused on a personal project. I intend to create a series of my illustrations for an exhibition called "Art Journey.” I will share more details about it soon.

As for recent projects, I worked on a series of covers for an IT magazine where they talk about how technology is closely linked to everyday life. I love projects that are related to everyday things, such as travel, food, and lifestyle. I want my art to help people understand, be heard, solve problems, or simply feel different.

My dream project? It would probably involve travel, an iPad, and a new, interesting theme to explore.

Do you have any favorite design resources?

All websites where people can share their creativity are special to me because I sincerely marvel at how many talented people there are.

I really love watching the work process, so lately I've really come to love short videos like Instagram Reels etc. It's like a new type of art form where you can combine different niches at once: illustrator, content maker, and videographer. It's amazing.

Where do you find creative inspiration?

I find inspiration in everyday things. I often go for walks and observe people and how life unfolds around me. How birds sing, how sunlight falls. Being an illustrator gives me incredible freedom. I explore this world and can communicate with people in the language of art. Wherever I am, art conveys all the main meanings. That's my inspiration!

What advice would you give designers who are just starting out?

Not being afraid of mistakes and never stopping your work. Love what you do and always improve your knowledge to stay relevant in your niche.

Thank you for sharing with us Helen! To view more of Helen’s work, follow her on Instagram and check out her shots on Dribbble.

Helen was nominated by Dribbble. All artwork courtesy of Helen Lee.