Alicia Souza is a renowned illustrator born and brought up in Abu Dhabi. She moved to Melbourne to study Communication Design. Alicia later moved to Bangalore to design for Chumbak. After spending a year with them, she began freelancing.
With almost 127,000 followers on Instagram and FaceBook, this young entrepreneur sells products through her website aliciasouza.com and Amazon. From scarves to stationery, and mugs to home decors, Alicia offers exciting products. Every time she uploads a drawing on her social media accounts, she creates a storm of likes and comments. I have been following Alicia on Instagram for quite a long time. I always chuckle every time I look at her cute drawings. I emailed Alicia for an interview. She was really friendly and kind enough to accept my request.
The Interview
How has your life changed since starting your online store?
Alicia: Well, it has in a lot of ways, especially in how I structure time. I have a LOT more work to do and actually have had to sacrifice a lot of time that I usually put into experimenting and playing. But in turn, it has also given me a lot of knowledge into production, meet the most wonderful people and see the opportunities come in in so many more ways than I thought possible. Can you share tips for aspiring illustrators/artists in the making? Alicia: Keep drawing. Keep learning. Keep being nice. Which cartoonist do you admire the most? Alicia: I can’t NOT say Charles Shultz, creator of 'Peanuts.' Do you get influenced by works of other artists? Alicia: Not really. I think I seem to say, ‘Oh I love the texture in this drawing. Maybe I should use more "texture" rather than "let me copy this bird that I like that he drew."'
How do you stay motivated? And what does success mean to you?
Alicia: I stay motivated with just doing. Also by seeing all the bills to pay. (Haha! :D) Success is doing what you love and going in the direction that makes you happy. If you were given a chance to become a comic character and live in a comic world, whom and where will it be? Alicia: I feel like I would be 'Peppermint Patty' in 'Peanuts.' You have spoken to a large number of audiences. Can you share some tips on how to talk about our work to a crowd of strangers? Alicia: Talk about what you love, with love. That’s it. And it’s ok, it’s more normal to be nervous than not and people understand. What skills do you think every entrepreneur should have? Alicia: Diligence, persistence and passion. You have said in an interview with 'Fuelling dreams,' that in your final year at Melbourne, you started learning illustration. Can you tell us about the things you learnt there? Alicia: I only learnt that I loved it. I learnt that it was the thing I wanted to do if I was pursuing a career in the design field. Do you think it's necessary for aspiring illustrators to take up a graphic designing course? Alicia: Not at all. But learning and knowing about graphic design is super useful. Though I believe you can learn almost anything from the internet, or at least, the basics.
You conducted a mentorship program for students in collaboration with the unherd.in. Can you tell us about the experience when teaching those young kids?
Alicia: Actually I got to meet the really talented kids, but I myself wasn’t teaching. I had my head of design then, Shreya, teaching the kids and she did a wonderful job too! They are such a smart bunch with the world at their feet and I can’t wait to see what they do and how they go forth in life! If a genie comes to you and offers the power to make 3 of your illustrations to come to life, what will you draw? Alicia: I would draw A talking dog, a very handy robot (that can become my third arm) and a cloak that makes you invisible (kist because!) Your favourite superhero comic book? Alicia: Well not superhero but favourite comic book is Chris Ware’s ‘Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth.’ Your favorite novel, TV series and movies? Alicia: Novel: Vikram Seth’s ‘A Suitable boy’ TV Series: Black Mirror, Bojack Horseman Movies: Wit, Toy Story, Sunset Boulevard
This is Alicia's incredible journey.
I came across this illustration at yourstory.com 
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