Sometimes an illustration is so bold and eye-catching that you can’t help but want to stare and discover new things within it. This is how it is with the work of independent illustrator, hand letterer and animator Miguel Ornia-Blanco, or Migy as he is better known. Migy’s work is fun and lighthearted, full of colorful scenes and environments with lyrical characters. His wonderful, hand-drawn typography is incorporated seamlessly with hand-drawn illustrations. Each piece is active and full of expressive movement that make you keep looking to see what you may discover next.
Migy is originally from London, England but is currently based in Buenos Aires Argentina. He enjoys the inspiration he gains from the colors and culture in South America. Migy works in many areas of illustration including: publishing, editorial, products and branding. In an interview with Migy, he told me a little bit about his job as an illustrator:
Where did you learn to be an illustrator?
I made a very slow transition from being a fine art painter, to web designer, to animator and finally to illustrator. I picked up skills as I went along through freelancing in London. Freelancing helped me develop the skills I needed to work with clients and understand how design companies function. Work wise, I would try and get jobs I would enjoy; so illustration or animation work became the basis of what I did. In the early days, I worked in all kinds of visual styles depending on what the client was after. As time went by, my style started to develop in its own right, so I decided to drop the animation work and focus on developing my illustration style and business.
What part of your job do you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding part for me, is to see the work out in the world. It’s such buzz to walk into a store and to see your work in print or as part of a product.
You have a very fun and original style, what is your inspiration?
I love movement and colour. Currently, I live in Buenos Aires and its Carnival time. So that’s my current inspiration.
Are you interested in any other mediums or skills within the world of illustration?
Well, I am interested in hand lettering at the moment as it’s opening me up to new opportunities and areas of expression. I also love anything analog and print related, I think partly because I use a computer too much.
If you had to describe your style to someone on the street, in just a few sentences, what would you tell them?
My style has a strong vain of fun, cheekiness and simplicity. It utilizes a mix of paint and ink, with vibrant colours, that help give the work a fresh, bold and eye-catching quality.
For more of Migy’s work, click here.
