We love when artists, designers, and creatives of all kinds bring their whole selves into the work they create. That’s one of the reasons Itzel Islas, an illustrator, designer, and much more, caught our eye. Her dynamic, cute, and colorful designs are fun and fresh – and highlight her heritage and personal sensibilities. We learned that Itzel had been working on a Wacom Intuos tablet for years, and had never really tried out a pen display. So we sent her a Wacom Movink OLED pen display to try out!
Check out the videos she created giving the Wacom Movink a try, below. And make sure to follow her on Instagram at @yayitzel to see more – she’s going to be creating some new designs with the Movink and reporting back about how the experience goes!
We also interviewed her to learn more about her background, her work, and if she has any advice for young creatives who want to chart a similar path into a creative career while keeping their authenticity intact.
Note: The interview below has been edited slightly for clarity and length.
Did you know you wanted to go into art from a young age? Were you a creative kid?
I think I was a creative kid! I remember drawing a lot and my parents buying sketchbooks and different materials for me to experiment with. I would also express myself through my hair and fashion from an early age. But I didn’t know at all that I wanted to go into art. I actually fell into graphic design because “I didn’t know what to do after high school.” I was very into photography right before graduating, which led me to find out about design – which I’m very glad for, because I ended up loving it!
You grew up in Mexico, and moved with your family to the United States in your teens. How does that multicultural heritage show up in your work?
I think my work is extremely inspired by my Mexican heritage and growing up in a border town. I find a lot of inspiration in how colorful Mexico is and in our food and our snacks. At the same time I grew up being inspired by cartoons on Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, which were obviously very American. I think the combo of both cultures really shows up in my work and the themes I explore.
Did your immigration experience factor into your educational journey? You ended up going to art school and studying graphic design, but did you feel pressure to study something academic instead?
I’m very glad that I was really young when we moved, and didn’t understand the heaviness of what immigration could actually mean – because I never felt the pressure to become something I didn’t align with. Thankfully, my parents didn’t force me to become someone I wasn’t, or steer me away from art – my mom was actually the one who introduced me to graphic design!
Would you recommend art school to young folks today who are considering a creative career? Why or why not?
I would definitely recommend art school! I think there are definitely plenty of amazing resources nowadays to become self-taught. However, I personally found school to be a great place to learn the foundations of design and the more technical aspects of it. I also would recommend art school to people that need more of a schedule/routine to thrive, or who like to be surrounded by others. I think it all comes down to knowing what is best for you and your learning style.
You recently got to try out the Wacom Movink OLED pen display. How has the experience been so far? Do you prefer a pen display over a pen tablet? Or are the different devices better for different things?
The first time I used a Wacom device was right after college, at my first design job. I remember being so confused at first, but wanting to learn because everyone in the art department used one. Which worked out, because I got the hang of it quickly and never looked back! I wish I had used one all through college – it would’ve saved my wrist a lot of pain.
But trying out the Movink has been so fun! I had never tried a pen display before, so it was very exciting to get to know this product. I’m still getting used to it, but it’s been a really pleasant journey. The transition from a pen tablet like Wacom Intuos isn’t difficult at all, in my opinion. I’m liking them equally so far!
You worked at a studio before you branched off and became a freelancer. How and why did you make that decision? What kinds of things should creative folks consider when they’re trying to decide which path to pursue, or whether they should go independent?
I worked in licensed apparel design for almost 10 years. I was at my last job for eight years, and had been itching to go full-time freelance the last couple of years I was there. I quit in 2020 due to health reasons, and that forced me to get over my fears and just take the leap into being a freelance designer full-time.
I’ve been working on my own for almost five years now, and it’s been an amazing journey! I’m very grateful for my years working for someone else, because it gave me a lot of fundamental skills: it taught me how to design faster, work with different teams, and meet quick deadlines. I think working for a company or studio is great as a starting off point.
Another thing for young creatives to consider is their artist “personality.” Working independently requires you to be highly organized and self-motivated, for example, which can be difficult for some people. The good thing is, you can always try either one out and go for the other if it’s not a good fit!
You have an online store, sell products wholesale, have a Sticker Club / Patreon, and also freelance for clients doing logos, branding, and more. How do you balance these different income streams? And do you prefer working for clients or selling directly to customers?
By this point, I’m used to constantly switching gears, and I try to be very diligent about my schedule and handling my deadlines, so that I’m not freaking out later on. Being a freelance designer is also all about seasons – there are seasons where I do more client work, and seasons where I focus more on personal work. But generally, I love design! So both working for clients and selling to customers are great, because I get to do that.
The only downside to selling products is that there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes on! I wish I could only focus on the fun part, which is designing. Unfortunately there’s also shipping, inventory, working with manufacturers, etc – all the stuff that most creatives don’t find as enjoyable.
You mostly work digitally, but also create things in the real world – murals, product packaging, paper products, and much more. Do you prefer digital art, traditional art, physical item design, or a mixture of everything? Why?
I definitely prefer digital art! It’s what I learned first, but it’s also included in all of the processes for creating physical items, too. I always do digital sketches before painting a mural, for example, and also have to make digital art files for designing any sort of physical item. So although digital art would be my answer – and it plays a part in everything – I think mixing mediums keeps things interesting for me. And plus, I love learning new things!
Do you have any general advice for young artists who want to pursue a creative career?
Be patient. Be genuine. Be nice.
Most things don’t happen overnight, and you generally have to go through a lot of ‘bad’ work to get to the work that you’re really proud of and that will resonate with people. Practice, along with an authentic story, is what will make you and your work stand out. And you’d be surprised at how far being nice can take you!
About the artist
Itzel Islas (she/her) is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator originally from Tijuana, Mexico, now living in San Diego, California. Itzel’s work is inspired by Mexican culture, vibrant color palettes and playful elements of everyday life. Her main medium is the computer, but she also loves sketching and incorporating hand-drawn elements into her designs. As founder of YAY Itzel, Itzel’s mission since 2016 has been to create a positive bi-cultural impact through design and empower folks to pursue their creative career.
Check out her work on Instagram, or Tik Tok, join her sticker club on Patreon, and don’t forget to shop at YAY Itzel!
