Creative Spotlight | Jemma O'Connell
Published on 12 April 2022
Tell us a bit about who you are and what kind of creative work you make
I’m Jemma and I am a 22-year-old illustrator, designer and all-round creative. I love combining handmade textures, art and illustrations with digital colour to create really unique compositions. I currently work as a Junior Designer at a wine company across a wide range of alcohol brands, specifically in developing their print and digital collateral. In my spare time I love illustrating, collaging and painting. I am currently painting my first mural and it's so much fun! Mural art is definitely a space I want to explore this year.
What’s your favourite part of working as an artist / creative?
I think being a designer and illustrator is the best gig in the world! I love the freedom of exploring big, abstract concepts and communicating them visually. I also love the challenge of working within parameters (because really, there are always parameters when designing). This encourages me to think outside the box and get innovative in the way I am designing. The process of ‘making’ art is also very therapeutic. I love the way I can express my personality or things I am feeling through the choice of colour I use, the style of illustration or through visual metaphors.
Whereabouts do you look for creative ideas? Who or what inspires you?
I look for inspiration everywhere. When I’m on the train, or in the car, I consciously look around to see all the different types of colours, signs and type treatments on the buildings. If I like something, I take a photo of it and add it to a mood-board for reference later. I visit the bookstore almost every second day when I'm on my break at work to look at the cover designs. Design books and libraries are such an awesome way to find inspiration. When I was at university, I constantly had a design book borrowed to get some inspiration when I needed it. I also find heaps of great artists and creatives through social media and Behance. The best part about social media is that you also get to reach out to other creatives and ask them questions and connect!
Where can we find out more about your work and get in touch?
If you would like to see more of my work, you can find my website at designsbyjemma.com
My Instagram handle is @designsbyjemmaa where I post a lot of behind the scenes and personal work that I am working on! If you are keen to chat about potential work, you can fill in a connect form through my website.