‘Doodlebomber’ Hattie Stewart: “Stick to your guns, even if people don’t get it”
In this edition of our Creative Lives podcast, we talk to London-based illustrator and artist Hattie Stewart. She shares what she’s learnt along the way – including how to manage client communication and standing your ground, describes her favourite recent projects and tells us why working for free is rarely a good idea.
Hattie Stewart
Job Title
Illustrator and Artist
Clients
House of Holland, Apple, Old Navy, Marc By Marc Jacobs, MAC, Soap and Glory, Pepsi, Hunter, 7Up, Roxy, Huawei
Education
BA Illustration, Kingston University (2007–2010)
Website
Social Media
Known for her unique style of ‘doodblebombing’, Hattie’s drawings are recognisable for their precise, cartoonish and psychedelic forms – often laid over photographs and existing graphics, or featured as print designs for clothing.
Hailing from Essex, Hattie began working commercially for fashion brands such as Luella while she was still studying on the illustration BA at Kingston. Graduating in 2010, she has since amassed a client list that includes Apple, Mac Cosmetics, House of Holland, Marc By Marc Jacobs and Pepsi. She has also published two books, and had her work exhibited across the world.
But it wasn’t all plain sailing. While she balanced commissions with coursework, hattie says studying was no walk in the park – coming up against opinions and directions from her tutors that didn’t suit her way of working.
After leaving college, Hattie was able to continue freelancing alongside part time work at a bar. It was here that her style came into its own, as she doodled onto printed images – forming the basis of a now ongoing series of playful interventions onto photographic images and magazine covers.
Mention Hattie Stewart
Mention Mac Cosmetics
Mention Apple
Interview by Indi Davies
Mention House of Holland
Mention Pepsi