Inspired by nature, recent graduate and Northern Irish illustrator Hannah Coates creates whimsical textured worlds filled with wild fauna and camouflaged beasts hidden in hauntingly bleak dreamscapes. We caught up with the recent Ulster graduate to discuss her background and work in more detail.
1.Where are you from? What’s your background?
I originally hale from Derry City in Northern Ireland but have been living in Belfast for the past four years. I went to University of Ulster in Belfast, studying Graphic Design and Illustration. Belfast has become my second home and i wanted to stay after i graduated.
2. How would you describe your style of work?
My style is all about the little details! I base my work mostly on landscapes and nature and i mostly like to keep things very dreamlike, blurring the lines between something real and something you may find in a story book. I have also been looking at different perspectives and trying to make my work a little more quirky, maybe by drawing animals, but not in their natural habitat. Its trying to find the balance between keeping things elegant but also playful.
3. What inspires you and your work?
Nature! Most recently i have looked at the Northern Irish landscape in particular, and there are mountains called the Glenshane that i pass through on the way back to my home town. It has a lot of waterfalls and lovely ancient feel about them. I am also looking at the work of Alphonse Mucha a lot for inspiration, i love the bright colours and the stained glass effect his work has.
4. What is the design scene like for a recent graduate in Northern Ireland?
Design and illustration has definitely become more prominent in Northern Ireland in recent years. There is a lot more interest in the creative industry and with Northern Ireland becoming a hub for filming, there have been so many more opportunities for young designers and illustrators. Its exciting being a new graduate amongst all the design hype!
5. As a recent graduate, what were the best bits from your course and what are you future plans?
Probably meeting so many different people and also because my course was so versatile, it allowed me to cross over from design to illustration freely. I never felt any constraints in regards to briefs or projects and i would consider myself as a designer as well as an illustrator.
6. Do you have anything you would like to shamelessly plug?
Shamelessly Plug? Well recently i have been working on a couple of things for the ‘Visit Belfast’ Centre, helping with the set up of a brand called, ‘Running the Mill’, alongside other local artists and designers to help create a brand of souvenirs featuring original artwork. Its all about creating something really original, there are only so many sheep, shamrock and leprechaun t-shirts you can take!
- Stickyscapes London by Robert Samuel Hanson - January 16, 2015
- Interview :: Hannah Coates - October 17, 2014
- Interview :: Jennifer Hope Clothing - September 15, 2014
