Today we’d like to introduce you to Itzel Islas.
Itzel, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in Tijuana, México and moved to San Diego when I was 18. After high school, I went to college and got my BA in Graphic Design. Soon after graduating I started working in licensed apparel and have been doing that since. A few years ago I started working on a side project with my boyfriend, called Magic Item (@magic.item) and started experimenting with paint, collage, zine-making, and screen printing. These exercises only made me want to keep making things for the sake of creating and not necessarily waiting for a client. It’s been a great experience… I have so much fun creating my designs now, and great things have come out of it.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m a graphic designer/ illustrator. I work as an apparel designer full time, primarily for licensing brands such as Disney, Star Wars and Marvel (among others). I also do freelance on the side which includes working with clients or designing content and merchandise for my personal brand – YayItzel. My inspiration comes from fun color palettes, happy thoughts, and my Mexican heritage. I hope people feel happiness and can relate in some way when they see my work.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
Lack of awareness, funding, and sometimes (under or even over) exposure.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can mainly find me on my Instagram @yayitzel. I post new work often and every Wednesday I do something called #WallpaperWednesdays in which I offer a new phone wallpaper. 🙂
My work can also be seen at Cold Brew City Fest! I do all the design and decor for this coffee festival that takes place every year during December in San Diego.
And last (but not least) in different places in San Diego I’ve worked with! Such as Pop Pie Co, Little Dame, The Kebab Shop, Le Parfait Paris, Unison Baking Co, Northside Shack.
People can support me byyy… hiring me for their next design! Also, by checking out and possibly purchasing my merch over at http://yayitzel.storenvy.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yayitzel.storenvy.com
- Email: islas.itzel@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yayitzel/?hl=en
- Other: www.behance.net/iislas
Image Credit:
Itzel Islas
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