A little while ago I came across the super kawaii locally based, Hungry Designs. Created by illustrator/artist Amanda Whitelaw Hungry Designs specialise in making quirky wearable art—their brooches are especially pretty! Amanda also stocks fun vintage and kitsch style jewellery at her online store. You can find the perfect gift at an affordable price for your bestie, lover or simply spoil yourself. Hungry Designs can be found at The Village Markets, BrisStyle events and The Sun State Roller Derby Bouts. Amanda chats to me about what inspires her, on running a business, her creations, baking (one of her favourite hobbies) and more!

When did you start down the creative path? Is it something that comes naturally to you?
I have always been pretty creative. I was a bit of a loner at school and often spent the evenings drawing in my room. Collecting comic books definitely encouraged my love of illustrating and I really think that I wouldn’t draw in the same way if it wasn’t for my love of comic books.

You studied Illustration & Printmaking at Art College in Scotland plus have taken part in various special events and showcased your work in gallery spaces around Scotland, I wanted to ask if you’re from/your heritage is from Scotland?
I am lucky enough to have dual-nationality. I lived in Scotland for about 10 years and London in my younger years for about 4 years. Originally I moved there with my family but once my family moved back to Australia I stayed in Scotland to be with my then partner (and now husband), Colin. Once I completed high school, I studied Illustration & Printmaking in Scotland for 4 years – completing my Honours Degree. A couple of years later Colin and I decided to move back to Australia to be closer to my family – although Colin’s family are all from Scotland.

While you were there did you find it influenced your art/creations?
Other than discovering my love of comics in Scotland I don’t feel like Scotland itself influenced my art and the way I worked too heavily. I love the history of Scotland, the colours and seasons. I’m sure in some way they influenced my illustrations but I can’t really pin point any single thing. Scotland is very beautiful, it’s very lush and green (and sometimes very white!).

Can you tell me a little about the arts community you experience there?
The arts community in Scotland is wonderful – especially in Glasgow. The Glasgow Craft Mafia is a wonderful organisation where crafty people with similar interests meet up. Similarly Made in the Shade is an organisation that also hosts events in Glasgow and Edinburgh that allow artists and designers to showcase their wares. Made in the Shade and the Glasgow Craft Mafia both show off the crème de la crème of indie Scottish artists and designers. Although never officially a member of the Glasgow Craft Mafia (I lived in Dundee not Glasgow – although I worked part-time in Glasgow) I attended their events as a designer. Attending these events was what really pushed me to pursue Hungry Designs more seriously.

In a previous interview you commented that “I started making jewellery as I seemed to fall out of love with drawing after my degree” can you tell me about that please? Why do you think this happened?
I think that there were a number of factors as to why I fell out of love with drawing. I was accepted into University straight from High School and of course I was thrilled. But I think looking back I was probably too young and unsure of myself as a designer. I was probably too eager to please my lecturers and tutors which lead me to become quite unhappy with the work that I was producing. I think with any higher education you jump through hoops in order to achieve a grad you feel you deserve but with art it’s so difficult because art is so personal. My true passion was comic book illustrating but I was told the work I was producing was too similar and I should try new things. While I agree to a certain extent, I do feel that while at University my plan was to refine my style and learn from the lecturers, not completely change my style to suit their grading system and opinions.

Do you think having formal training is important to what you do?
I don’t actually think this at all. I know a lot of designers and artists that are all self-taught and they produce incredible work. I do think that is necessary if you are wanting to pursue a career where you need technical training – a career in animation for example. But it really depends on what you want you want to achieve long term. I think if you want a trade then it’s definitely important to study at higher education – I certainly wouldn’t be a screen printer if it wasn’t for the training I received while at university.

From my understanding as part of your final year of college you worked on a project that was a commentary on fashion companies that use sweatshops – you printed a series of t-shirts with starving children on them to represent those companies – what are some companies with good ethics that you like to support?
I love to support smaller businesses who print their own garments and make their own products. It’s very difficult to know what the ethics of a company are – especially when things can be produced so cheaply if using sweatshops. I am a massive fan of Monsoon (a UK clothing brand), they pride themselves on being an ethical brand and even have the slogan “Living our values and ethics since 1973”.

I know that you are inspired by comics and artists such as the late Michael Turner, Frank Miller, J. Scott Campbell and Dave McKean – what is it about these particular artists and/or their style that inspires you so?
I always have such a nostalgic feeling when I see the bold colours or any Michael Turner or J. Scott Campbell – I think it’s because I have collected them for so long. I like to think that Michael Turner changed the face of modern American comic books. His illustrations are definitely what inspired me to start drawing. These artists are all so different and that’s why I love them. Michael Turner’s illustrations were extremely detailed despite still keeping that comic book boldness. J. Scott Campbell specializes in the sexy pin up characters that take the reader to a James Bond type tongue and cheek era. Frank Miller is quite simply a genius. He doesn’t just draw and illustrate – he is a true visionary. He directs and tells a story through (more often than not) black a white art. Although his work is predominately black and white there seems to be so much colour and feeling in his work. Lastly Dave McKean is simply incredible. He paints and collages his comic book pages. His abstract work is really breathtaking. I feel like I learn so much from these artists because their work is so different.

What is one of your favourite pieces you’ve created so far?
I think one of my favourite pieces is the original A Little Rain brooch (with the Red umbrella). This was drawn by me on a whim and I didn’t really like it that much at the time. I felt it was a little too angsty and yet it’s one of my best sellers. I also have a soft spot for the Day of the Dead Red. She was one of the original Day of the Dead girls and she really paved the way for a whole collection of Day of the Dead themed brooches – which is my favourite subject matter.

How do you hope people feel when they wear one of your creations?
I hope that when people wear my designs they feel good. Feeling good about yourself and being confident is so important. I like to think that these designs make people feel more like themselves. I get a lot of compliments from people who work in corporate offices, they tell me that when they wear a brooch it reflects who they are and they don’t feel as stifled by the 9 to 5 doom and gloom.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in regards to Hungry Designs?
I definitely feel like the biggest challenge is finding time to make sure that everything is balanced. I work 8.00am – 5.30pm in Brisbane (I commute from the Gold Coast) for a publishing company and getting the balance of work and Hungry Designs is a real struggle sometimes. It can be hard to find the motivation to do Hungry Designs tasks in the evening. I don’t want my work life to consume me because I am newly married and I know how important it is to spend time with my husband Colin.

Did you have any fears when taking the step towards starting your own business?
I don’t really think that I had any fears when starting Hungry Designs, it seemed like a natural progression. It really only started as a hobby – then I started making a little money and I would put that back into Hungry Designs. This allowed me to invest in producing new designs. Although I run Hungry Designs on a much larger scale, a part of me still thinks of it as a hobby. It’s something that I really love.

You’ve also worked in cinema (for around 3 years), what did you do? Is there anything you learnt that has helped with what you do with Hungry Designs?
I did work at a cinema – it was while I was at university. I don’t really think that it helped me with Hungry Designs in any way but I certainly enjoyed working there. I often say that it was one of the best jobs that I ever had! I am lucky enough to have some really great friends because I worked with them at the cinema. It was the perfect part time job!

What can you tell me about Hungry Designs customers?
I adore my customers! They are smart, fun and stylish. I receive a lot of inspiration from my customers. They tell me what they like and what they don’t. The Hungry Designs Facebook page is a perfect example of this. I love sharing new designs with them – it’s always a real thrill!

What do you do to nurture your creativity?
I love movies. I think that might be from when I worked at the cinema. I love foreign films, thrillers and horror films. This is one of the best ways for me to relax. It allows me to switch off from Hungry Designs. I also draw almost every day and I think that this helps my creativity. I notice a massive difference in my designs if I haven’t drawn for a while. I get quite rusty!

Do you listen to music while creating your pieces? What would I find in your stereo/on you iPod?
I listen to a lot of different music, although I’ll be honest and say that it’s been about 2 years since I bought any new music. I love Disturbed – and I often rock out to them when I’m drawing. I also love Ani DiFranco, I really enjoy listening to her Little Plastic Castle album. I also love Sting and Phil Collins… I am pretty terrible with music and find myself preferring older music to the newer music that you hear on the radio. I’m definitely not a music buff in any way!

As an artist what is one of the most important things to you?
My mechanical pencil and sketch pad is so important to me. I don’t go anywhere without them. I’m also a real sucker for good light. I love going to a cafe or restaurant and sitting and doodling. I seem to draw a lot in public because the lighting is so good and I love the noise of people around me. I find it strangely inspiring. I also wouldn’t be anywhere without my MacBook and my Wacom. Hungry Designs definitely wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for these tools.

What sites do you have bookmarked/subscribe to for an inspirational fix?
I love, love, love crafty blogs! I’m such a sucker for them. I think it’s because when I start a crafty project I know that it won’t be Hungry Designs related. It’s nice and relaxing sometimes to do things just for fun.

My favourite blogs are:
A Beautiful Mess / SkunkBoy Creatures / The Dainty Squid / Bespoke Zine

What projects are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on a couple of new cameo designs. I design these and then send for them to be sculpted. It’s always amazing to see my illustrations come to life in 3-dimentions! I am also working on a new Australiana series – Colin and I honeymooned in Melbourne and I was amazed at the wildlife and Australia has. They have so much personality and character. They are just begging to be illustrated and made into brooches!

And lastly, you love to bake – what’s one of your favourite things to bake?
I really do love to bake! It’s like my therapy! I love making cupcakes. Any kind, I’m really not that fussy with flavour although I love Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting! (pictured below) YUM! More than baking the cupcakes I love to decorate them. It’s so much fun. And with all the different sprinkles and sanding sugars you can buy it’s like a colourful explosion in my kitchen!

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Tags: A Beautiful Mess blog, Amanda Whitelaw, Ani DiFranco, Bespoke Zine, BrisStyle, comics, Dave McKean, Day of the Dead, Hungry Designs, illustration, J. Scott Campbell, Made in the Shade, Michael Turner, Monsoon, Red Velvet Cupcakes, SkunkBoy Creatures blog, The Dainty Squid blog, The Glasgow Craft Mafia, The Sun State Roller Derby, The Village Markets