Lea Berndorfer (DEU)

BEST OF THE BEST AND EDITORIAL GOLD MEDAL iJUNGLE ILLUSTRATIONS AWARDS 2021

https://leaberndorfer.com/

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1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, where you studied, and where you are at now? I am an illustrator based in Hamburg, Germany. In 2017 I graduated in illustration at the University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg. For three years now I‘ve been working as a full-time illustrator specialized on colorful editorials and infographics, preferably with relevant content and added value. Topics concerning our environment, politics and science are particularly interesting to me. 

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2. Why did you become an illustrator?

I know it‘s a cliche, but I‘ve always loved to paint and create. Rather by chance than following a conscious decision, I ended up studying illustration without exactly knowing what to expect. Lucky me, for it can be a wonderfully versatile and exciting profession.

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3. What artists/things do you most admire and how did they influence your work?

There are a lot of artists I admire and who influence my work. But depending on where I see a gap in my work, the influences often change. At the moment I am in love with the work of Celia Jacobs, Paul Blow and Jason Holley.

 

4. How did you find your style? Has it changed since you started?

In the beginning I tried out differant styles, techniques and focal points. It was clear pretty quickly that painting would be my way of expression, but it took me some time to realize I wanted to work in the informative field: I enjoy familiarizing myself with new topics and then solving the puzzle of how to best explain the subject matter with visual aids. 

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5. Can you briefly describe your creative process?

Every comission starts with a detailed research process. Parallel analogue sketching helps extract the main message. Then I play with different ideas and options in a digital sketch. After consulting the client I create the final illustration with a mix of analogue  acrylic painting and digital post-editing.

 

 

6. How did you get the ideas for the piece that won the Gold Medal?

Theme of the issue was „ health for all”: The corona virus vaccine is in short supply. But also regarding other diseases medicine is scarce and very expensive in many parts of the world - much like an unattainable luxury product. It was my goal that the illustrations make these injustices visible.

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7. Best and worst part of your job: The best part is being immersed in a painting while listening to a good book. The worst part is having to work late evenings when a lot of work accumulates.

 

8. Quick answers: Favorite movies: The Fifth Element, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Lady Bird, ... Favorite musics to work: No music when I think, audiobooks when I paint Favorite Hobbies: yoga, crochet, movies, hiking Magic wish: three more, please

 

8. What is the best piece of advice you’ve had, in regards to comics/illustration or otherwise?

As you research and think about a topic, sketch the information and thoughts. This speeds up the process and lets you come up with new and interesting visual connections and ideas 

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