Hanna Melin

Hanna Melin

(She/Her) • London, United Kingdom

Biography Interview

A graduate from London’s Royal College of Art, illustrator Hanna Melin originally hails from Sweden.
Her illustrations often start with people who then come alive with the help of ink drawing, crayons, watercolor or marker pens. These elements are then brought together in a computerized image which results in a hand drawn look and vibe. Hanna enjoys bringing office places, business people, family situations, characters working, studying, typing, on calls, men and women in all diversities to life. Hanna is also known for creating pet illustrations, especially dogs and cats.
A mum of two boys, she draws inspiration from the hectic family life and the metropolitan diversity of living in Hackney, London.
She also loves spending time in libraires, toy shops and stationary shops.
Melin’s work appears in newspapers, magazines, greeting cards, socks, wrapping paper, in product video advertisements, and in the commercial sector.

Selected clients


Holiday Inn, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Halifax, Architectural Journal, Volkswagen, Work Style magazine, Flow, Bath Spa Magazine, Flux Magazine, Hollywood Reporter, PC World, Subaru, Huffington Post etc

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Hanna Melin

Your pronouns
She

How do you define your identity? Do you identify with (or advocate for) any marginalized communities?
Proud woman

Where is home?
London UK and a small coastal village in Sweden

Describe your illustration style in one sentence
Sarcastic and humoristic line drawings.

What lights your soul on fire?
Humour

What themes do you enjoy exploring in your illustrations?
People in social environments, animal behavior and plants!

What techniques do you use?
Pen and Paper, Tablet and Photoshop.

How much of yourself and your own story can we see in your work?
I see my work as my diary, so whatever happens in my life I draw it.

Is there an unmistakable thread in your creative work?
What do you want to be known for?

Which projects excite you most?
An editorial project with a next day deadline gets the heart going, and you realise “I’ve got this!”

What is your dream gig?
Any animation commissions I love. With lots of people in it.

Where, when and how do you best create?
In my studio, wearing track suit bottoms, rain outside, cup of tea and a biscuit, good crime pod on the radio.

How has your style evolved since you started?
More use of the computer has meant more “finished” and “polished” art these days

What do you find most challenging in your practice or in the illustration industry?
Keeping up with new technology (so it’s good that Anna is on the ball!) and how to continuously promote yourself for new commissions.

How as being an illustrator changed your life?
I can work from home and spend a lot of time with my kids. Getting paid for doing what you think is the most fun is a plus.

Name a tool you can’t live without!
Computer. Boring but true.

Tell us about a project you worked on that was meaningful to you as an artist?
A poster for refugee week in London. Drawing famous British icons all coming from refugee parents were really interesting.

What influences or inspires your art?
The day to day life, my household and family. Hard to believe stories on the internet.

Why do you think art speaks louder than words?
With art you can get a reaction really quick. The eye will read the image and the message of the piece will hit you instantly.

Notable clients:
Nokia, Halifax, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, Wolkswagen, Subaru, Financial Times, Holiday Inn

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