Shutterstock Instagram Takeover // Behind the scenes at the studio & a great dose of inspiration

Instagram must be my favorite type of social media. I am not a great writer, I a visual person. So when I was asked to take over Shutterstock's instagram feed for a week I was more that happy to do so.

Posting for someone else is a completely different experience. Shutterstock followers tend to choose Photography over illustration. So this was a great chance to post some more visual work made with different materials. Show followers how I work and what inspires me. But of course this take-over was also a great chance to show a little bit about my country and the places I visit, little snaps of my daily life. I love to travel but forget there is also a lot to see right where I come from. Especially for followers from so many countries around the world.

I was amazed with the great feedback I got. I am so happy I was able to show off a bit more illustrations and patterns. If you want to see all images take a look at the Shutterstock Instagram feed. And don't forget to follow @littlesmilemakers too.



If you would like to read more about my take-over you can check Shutterstock's blogpost written by the awesome Sarah Maloy. Thank you for this great story.

Inspiration and things that matter // finding your own style and designing your creative process

Since my last trip, New York in June, I have been working on several Shutterstock things. Taking over Instagram later this week, I have been setting up Holland's first Drink & Draw contributor's event for Shutterstock but also I have been writing a piece for the contributor's blog which let me to think about what I do and what is important to me.

I feel so blessed that I am able to do what I do now. Make my living with illustrations and patterns. During my studies I found it hard to choose a more 'abstract' way of living. So instead of choosing Illustration as mayor I studied graphic design and typography. This foundation, combined with my passion for illustration and photography makes my work so much more diverse each day. I am so happy for choosing another direction and not be limited like other designers. For me designing is about inventing, diversity, searching for solutions between the 'set rules' for the final product and my own hand writing merged into a piece that works for the company I work with.

I see lot's of designers trying to hold on to their own handwriting, meaning repeating designs, they just end up making the same thing over and over again. I love to experiment with different types of materials. Ink, paper cutting, vector drawing. I am so happy to work with all these different techniques and companies still choose me for my own style. The foundation of my designs is always visible. I think every artist evolves. When a musician looks back on the music he made years ago he would say: "I would do that completely different now". I would be bored out of my head if I had to make the same design in another version day after day.

I do have some preferences, white backgrounds, poplin' colors, I work with. Some limitations to a design are necessary to accomplish a great result. But do not limit yourself. Let the client set your rules and stay open for growth. If you then are able to trust your own skills and experience you can make a living with doing what you love.

My inspiration lies in diversity and experiencing new things, I think my designs reflect that what is most important to me.

Featured images are available via Sutterstock, Society6 & Spoonflower. Also available for licensing.

Sweet fox & typography nursery poster series // a giant leap to yellow

What do you think of the Minty & Sunflower color scheme? Ever since I was a little girl I skipped using yellow crayons, pencils and paint. I just have this weird aversion against this color of the happy. Never wanted it in my kindergarten drawings or in my home and never used it in my design work. Not sure why but somehow, somewhere along the way this year yellow was introduced into my designs. Right now I am actually embracing the color and enjoying the warmer shades. And yes, working with yellow! What do you think of this color combo? I am getting to terms with this color. Maybe in a while (taking baby steps here) I will do an entire collection. Some day...