Postcrossing Blog

Sometime ago we had the pleasure to chat with Anke Weckmann, illustrator extraordinaire. She hails from a little town near Hannover, but moved to the UK in 2001 to study illustration in Camberwell College of Art and Kingston University. Since then, she has been working as a freelance illustrator in London, and her work has been featured all kinds of products, from magazines to makeup packaging, wallets to water bottles… and of course, stationery!

Anke’s quirky style features charming big headed characters and lots of nature elements. She tells us that her illustrations are drawn in ink/black pen on paper and usually coloured digitally… but where does she draw inspiration from? Read her answers to our interview below to find out!

How did you get started doing stationery design?

I’ve been commissioned to do greeting cards, postcards, files, mouse mats, notebooks, stickers etc through various companies. This is how a lot of stationery products ended up in my online shop.The only things I produced/printed myself are small notepads and greeting cards.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere. I’m not always sure where it comes from. Generally I’m very interested in shapes and colour pallettes. At the moment I’m very interested in tribes, vegetables and silence.

If you could define your style in 3 words, what would they be?

Shapes, Colours, Characters

Are you a letter/postcard writer yourself?

I used to be! When I was about 11 I had more than ten penpals and for a long time I was always writing letters and cards. Now I rarely write anymore, which is sad! But it’s mostly because my hand and arm get very tired from drawing for long hours, so I try to rest it whenever I can. I still love getting mail though. And I quite enjoy packing my shop orders and including little cards and such.

Can you show us a picture of your studio or workspace?

Thank you Anke!

You can find Anke’s postcards, greeting cards and other products at ankeweckmann.etsy.com, or through Red Cap Cards. Don’t forget to check out Anke’s blog – we’re especially fond of her Learning French illustration series! :)

When I discovered Singaporean Art director Alynn Teo’s postcards, I was suddenly… hungry! Food-related postcards are my weakness – I can’t seem to resist them! (plus, she has a pack featuring just eggs…)

Everyday at 3pm, Alynn takes a little break from her freelancing projects to have a snack, which she photographs prior to eating. She has been doing this little ritual since 2009, and in November 2010, she decided to turn it into a business, by printing her own stationery line and selling it on her Etsy shop, one little journey. The result is a series of minimalist yet mouth-watering postcards.

Below are her answers to our interview about her stationery line.

How did you get started doing stationery design?

Artistry is the main motivating factor. I got hooked onto designing daily use items such as jewellery, toys and stationery since young. It is mostly a pastime kind of affair in between projects from my main line. While browsing Etsy mid last year, I started serious planning in turning my pastime hobby into real business.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Everywhere! Travel, day dreams, everyday objects, tea & coffee, my daily 3 p.m. breaks. I believe things that we see, love, experience are nested somewhere in our subconscious and they surface at the least expected moments to inspire us.

If you could define your style in 3 words, what would they be?

The Simple Things

Are you a letter (or postcard) writer yourself?

Yes, absolutely! And love designing them too. i think it is one of the most sincere way of showing your love for someone.

Can you show us a picture of your studio or workspace?

You can find Alynn’s postcards at etsy.com/shop/onelittlejourney.

I discovered these postcards on a random blog some months ago and their simple and sweet illustrations drew me in instantly. They’re made by Tasmanian designer Holly Webber. Holly spends her days doing freelance graphic design, and running the market, a popular seasonal market which gives local artists and designers the opportunity to showcase their wares.

Below are her answers to our interview about her lovely stationery line.

How did you get started doing stationery design?

For as long as I can remember (right from when I was a crafty kid!) I have always created my own cards. I officially started producing them in my second year of University when I began selling my photographic artworks in a local art gallery. As a graphic designer I spend a lot of time on the computer, constantly communicating via email. Email communication seems to have become the norm, but this always feels very impersonal when it’s with friends and loved ones. It’s very quick to send an email, but it’s just as easily gone, and yet it takes literally a few minutes to write a postcard, bring a smile to someone’s face and they can keep as a little piece of art on the fridge or wall. So early this year I started creating my range of illustrated postcards titled Letterbox Love – an easy way to say hello, without the formality of regular greeting card.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Baking! I love to bake and often deliver my baked goods in friend’s letterboxes which we refer to as 'letterbox love’. Cupcakes don’t tend to travel so well in the post, so I thought a whimsical illustration of one would be a good substitute. The heart balloon came about after I decided to actually call the collection letterbox love – I love the idea of post being delivered by a hot air balloon – how fun would that be to have a flying pig dropping a note into your letterbox! …Oh, and that’s my cat Coco peeping out from the basket of one of the balloons. As far as my design aesthetic goes – I love Scandinavian design for it’s clean lines and a good use of white space.

If you could define your style in 3 words, what would they be?

clean / whimsical / fun

Are you a postcard or letter writer yourself?

I had pen pals as a kid and do still write letters to some friends now, and I’ll always send postcards when I’m on holiday.

Can you show us a picture of your studio or workspace?

I thought I’d include a typical view from my desk…my cat Coco draped around my laptop – apparently iphones make good pillows, ha!

You can find Holly’s postcards at hollywebber.bigcartel.com.