Mikael Kangas illustrats the cover of Enviromental Healths News June issue on shisha smoking.
Mikael Kangas illustrates a series of prints ads for Lavial. Lavital is a Dutch brand producing handmade mattresses, beds and box springs exceling in luxurious, ecological and sustainable qualities.
Mikael Kangas has created an editorial illustration about shopping habits in the future for Sweden’s number one women’s fashion and lifestyle magazine DV.
How and when did you know that you wanted to become an illustrator?
I´ve been drawing and sketching all my life, fascinated by “how to draw” books and addicted to comic books. Later I studied industrial design, but had to give it up for my real passion in life – illustration and graphic design.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I get my inspirations from all kinds of things in everyday life, but also get inspiration from Art Nouveau books, Greek mythology, fairytales and fashion magazines.
What type of environment do you prefer to work in? At home or in a studio? Listening to
music?
Working in a studio and getting feedback from other people is great but I prefer to be able to access my work any hour of the day, so right now working from home works best. Being able to get up in the middle of the night and get to work if inspiration comes knocking is great.
Music is also a must, picking the right soundtrack for a job gets a great flow going.
When you are creating commissioned work, how do you take yourself out of the project and focus on the idea that needs to be conveyed?
Coming from an industrial design background, where you work a lot with target groups and put other people’s needs before your own, gives me an upper hand when it comes to getting in the clients mind-set. I always try to create something I’m happy with but also keep the goal of the work foremost. If I suspect that I’ve lost the focus I show my sketch to a friend and have them guess what the image is trying to convey, without giving them any clues about the subject or client.
What type of artwork do you have hanging in your home?
Some that I’ve made myself, but also paintings and pictures friends have made – almost nothing without a personal connection to the artist.
Who was the first illustrator that you noticed and admired?
I loved stories and books illustrated by the incredible Swedish illustrator Hans Arnold when I was younger and still think his images are incredible.
Do you read criticism done on your work and how do you deal with negative criticism?
I value feedback whether it’s good or bad. Negative criticism can help you improve and grow as an artist; everyone can get better. However, you can’t please everyone and you have to believe in your own artistic style, develop and perfect it.
What magazines do you personally read?
Besides newspapers, I read a lot of fashion magazines, comic books and illustration/computer arts magazines.
Mikael Kangas illustrates part of a stunning series of print ads for interior company Brizo’s new line of luxury faucets featuring SmartTouch technology. Commissioned by Young & Laramore.
Bikes are the new summer accessory! Mikael Kangas has illustrated another Sunday´s Best page for Sunday Magazine Sydney.
Mikael Kangas has illustrated a mouse-pad for Bodino’s Art of Mouse-series. The mouse-pad is part of a series of computer peripherals illustrated by top artists from around the world.
Mikael Kangas illustrates for scientific paper Naturvetare and their self-help article about mental strength and determination. Learn how to stay cool in every situation and trust your own instincts.
Mikael Kangas is featured with a short interview and portfolio spread in the current issue of CAP&Design, Scandinavia’s biggest creative magazine.
Mikael Kangas has done some 50′s inspired editorial illustrations for The Postcard Killers, a book collaboration between Sweden’s no.1 female crime writer Lisa Marklund and American author James Patterson. Commissioned by Kupé.
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