Exploring the vibrant world of Catarina Morais

What made you want to study Illustration or become an illustrator?

I started my art journey back in Portugal, where I studied at an art school - the equivalent of A Levels - for 3 years. Although I specialised in jewellery design and making at the time, the regular art history and drawing classes sparked my love for Illustration as a way of communication, decoration, and expression. From then on, I focused on developing my visual language and how that fits in the world around me, and I knew I wanted to pursue this further.

Congratulations on your recent commission to design a window display for not just a shop! Can you tell us more about it?

This opportunity was such an enriching experience! Although I had done wall and window murals before, this particular design challenged me - in an exciting way - in terms of scale and media. By experimenting with materials, textures, and forms of application, I was able to translate my usual colourful, digital art style onto a new outcome. My design captures the rush and movement we can see in London during the festive season. The characters walk and interact with the same intent - to find something special for their loved ones (we've all been there!). As they meet in the center of the window, they find inside not just a shop an array of options for what to buy!

You also illustrated the UAL Career Toolkit...

I really enjoy working on spot illustrations, and this brief had such a fun, dynamic feel to it. It really made me think outside the box for each prompt; I had to work out how to simplify my usual work into elements that efficiently communicate each idea to the viewer. On top of that, making a larger pattern-like illustration was a great prompt for me to explore the sharing of knowledge from person to person.

Are there any other projects you would like to mention?

2023 has been a year of amazing opportunities, and another special one was to be able to design a watch for Mr Jones Watches. I also work as a watch assembly technician, so to be able to combine both sides of my career was a special highlight!  My limited-edition design, Houseparty, combined some of the things I love to work on the most: a heavy-packed composition that captures a moment of absolute mayhem. The people move around, interact, and overlap in a typical, busy house party. It is also a unique scale and media to work with, so adapting my work to such a small outcome was a great challenge.

Is there any advice you would give to someone interested in pursuing a career in illustration?

Be kind and patient towards yourself! Working as a freelance creative, especially in a city as huge as London, can be incredibly daunting. Although getting your work out there and sharing your craft can be arduous and scary, the creative community you find and build for yourself and others is the most rewarding gift. This is what allowed me to realise that I am not alone in my insecurities, struggles, and challenges. The more we share with others, the more we can learn from each other and find where our work fits in the world. Also, get your work out there by applying to open calls, challenges, and awards - they're great ways to expose your work and to meet others!