The “what” in who, what, where, why.

What inspired me to join the world of design?

There have been many artists that have inspired me over the years. Some of those artists may have been sculptors. Some may have been painters illustrators even filmmakers design is a part of everything as a child design that I would’ve been introduced to would’ve been through studio give me films, as a child illustrated children’s books these would’ve been my first insight to the world of design so I’m going to do a small amount of research into each artist I’ve studied and admired and that have inspired me over the years and see what I can come up with.

Hayao Miyazaki

Starting with Hayao Miyazaki, who wrote and directed some of my favourite childhood films like Spirited Away, Kikis Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, and more. Miyazaki was born on January 5th, 1941, meaning he and I share a birthday (though not a birth year), which Ive always thought was very cool. To share a birthday with someone so talented feels like a small, special connection. He is a Japanese animator, filmmaker, and manga artist. Miyazaki co-founded Studio Ghibli and serves as its honorary chairman. Over the course of his career, he has been acclaimed as one of the most accomplished filmmakers in the history of animation.

Ive always felt a deep connection to his work, the art style, the playfulness, the subtlety of expression. Ive always loved how his films use minimal dialogue, soft tones, and enchanting music, creating a sense of magic that feels both immersive and comforting. His ability to capture wonder and nostalgia made him my earliest artistic inspiration.

Jon Burgerman

The second artist Im going to talk about is Jon Burgerman. I studied Jon while in high school, he was the first artist I ever studied in depth, which made him a huge influence on my design journey. His work was unlike anything I had seen before, fun, childlike and playful. Up until that point, I hadn't realised that design could be so free-spirited and energetic. I became quickly obsessed with his style, covering my walls with work heavily inspired by him. Even now, I would love to own an original piece of his. I think he’s a brilliant artist with a fantastic execution of a childlike vision.

Jon Burgerman was born in 1979 and is now a New York-based British artist. His work has been acquired by prestigious collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. His pieces are often described as bright and energetic, featuring highly distinctive, fuzzy-edged characters that explore contemporary emotions. Beneath their seemingly simple expressions lies a range of complex anxieties, often reflected in the titles of his works, such as Xanax or Lexapro. Most of his pieces are created using aerosol paint, bringing his signature creatures to life through bold shapes and block colors.

Gustav Klimt

During my time in college, I began studying more classical art, and the artist who truly captivated me was Gustav Klimt, particularly his 1908 painting, The Kiss. Ive actually written about this in more detail elsewhere on my blog, as Klimts work was the eye-opener I needed to pursue design seriously. It was the moment I knew I wanted to be a designer.

Klimt was an Austrian Symbolist painter known for his paintings, murals, and sketches, with a strong focus on the female form. He was born on July 14th, 1862, in Vienna and passed away on February 6th, 1918, at the age of 55. Some of his most well-known works include Death and Life (1915), The Three Ages of Woman (1905), and Lady with Fan (1918). His art brought colour and shape to life in a way that felt both opulent and deeply human.