Mary Maka

Mary Maka is an illustrator, animator, and animation director based in Serbia. A former student of the Academy of Architecture and Art, she studied graphics, painting, and bookmaking, with a focus on book illustration and hand-printing techniques. From her work as an illustrator to art directing, she has created whimsical worlds that play upon themes of nature, fairy tales, and mythology. Since 2019, Mary has collaborated with companies around the world, including Google, HP, Unicef, Xiaomi, Kiehl's, Affinity Designer, and Snapchat. Mary has also created illustrations for publications like The Washington Post and New Scientist magazines, among others. In 2020, Mary expanded her practice by enrolling in additional education to learn animation. Her final work, the “Endless Forest” project, consisted of a series of digital artworks exhibited in China in 2023. Mary currently works in a variety of media including illustration, animation, directing, and sculpture.

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

Since childhood, I dreamed of becoming an artist and have always been creative, drawing and experimenting with new techniques. This passion led me to study graphic design at an art academy, where my master's degree focused on books and illustrations. While graphic design became my initial career path, the call of illustration remained strong. In 2020, I took the leap to become a full-time illustrator. I got my first commissions quickly, and it was incredibly inspiring to devote all my time to drawing! I've always liked creating stories, and a few years ago, I started training to become an animation director. I'm still incredibly excited to be on this path and feel blessed to do what I love.

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

Usually, I call myself a player with whimsical worlds. My style is filled with rounded shapes and noisy textures. Recently, a curator called my style pop art. While I don't entirely agree with this definition, I do like to incorporate popular themes into my work.

Can you share more on the themes you like to explore through your work?

I often explore nature and mythology, resulting in creations rich in biodiversity and whimsical characters. I'm particularly fascinated by the stories embedded in various cultures' mythologies, which I incorporate into my art. Additionally, I often explore the theme of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

What’s your approach to creative collaboration and how do you typically work with clients?

I’m happy to see that big companies collaborate with artists and value their creative freedom. It's a joy to work with the clients who appreciate my style and vision. Often, clients come up with a theme that aligns with my interests. I prefer working on projects that reflect my values. For instance, while creating holiday animations for Snapchat, I enjoyed learning about different cultures and traditions.

What is your creative process like?

My creative process typically starts with gathering information to refine an idea. This leads to one to three black-and-white sketches, depending on the complexity. After discussing these sketches with the client, I progress to the color version, sharing color snippets for feedback. I start by using vector shapes and then incorporate textures in raster programs. I use a set of brushes I've crafted myself. While I have a preferred color scheme, I still enjoy the freedom of exploring colors. My works have a lot of details and color transitions.

How do you find a balance between creating personal projects and client work?

At the beginning of my illustrator career I experimented with different styles. Over time, as my unique style emerged, I began collaborating with companies that valued my creativity. This has given me the freedom to pursue my ideas with these companies. This inspires me a lot. Lately, I've been spending more time on my projects, exploring various media, including painting, sculpture, technological art VR/AR, and animation. I mostly work on commercial projects during the weekdays. So I spend my evenings and weekends on my personal projects.

What’s been one of your favorite projects to work on and why?

The Endless Forest has become an ongoing project of mine, constantly evolving since its inception during my studies. I started working on an animated film, which I redrew several times during the phases of the storyboard and animation. Hopefully, I will share the final version of my short film soon. It differs significantly from the original sketches. I do everything myself, from directing and creating concepts to animation. It will be a musical film created in close collaboration with the composer. The first concepts have already turned into a series of illustrations. This August, I will be presenting a solo exhibition including an installation, ceramics, and a piece of animation. This project brings together themes that resonate deeply with me, such as human's fear of the forest, mythological creatures, and the study of plants.

What’s been one of the biggest career lessons you've learned so far?

It is important to be honest with yourself and others. When you do something that truly touches you, it comes out authentically and resonates with the world around you. This is the key to creating meaningful work.

What advice would you give to designers who are just starting their careers?

The most important thing is to believe in yourself and never stop. You have to be your own biggest fan, no matter what you do. Especially during the initial stages of your journey, self-criticism can be overwhelming. Remember to be your own cheerleader, offering the same encouragement you would to your closest friend.

Where do you find creative inspiration? Do you have any favorite design resources?

I draw inspiration from a wide range of topics. While working, I watch a lot of documentaries, especially on biology and physics. I also enjoy science blogs and, of course, the works of my colleagues. Visiting art museums and galleries is another great source of inspiration for me.

When you look to the future, what are you excited about?

I liked this question because it made me think about the future, which is something that usually worries me. But now, thinking about the joy it will bring, I am sure that art will always be a part of it. I imagine that I will work more with physical art and that I will have a lot of fun realizing the most daring ideas.

Thank you for sharing with us Mary! To view more of Mary’s work, visit her website and follow her on Dribbble and Instagram.

Mary was nominated by Dribbble. All images courtesy of Mary Maka.