From a night job to almost full-time illustrator. With hard work, Amber is chasing her dream
- Design
Her recognisable style is a celebration of colour with a touch of stubbornness, just as Amber Hyacinth is herself (26). She graduated from the Illustration Design bachelor course at ArtEZ Academy for Art & Design in Zwolle in 2022, and has been working her way up as an illustrator ever since. “I worked nights, so I could do creative things during the day,” she says.
If anyone is determined to make her passion her job, it is Amber Hyacinth. Immediately after graduating, she dove into working life, working various side jobs to make ends meet. “While working night shifts at PostNL, I was illustrating and building a portfolio during the day,” Amber explains. “Looking back on that time, I sometimes think: what was I actually doing?”
Ten projects at once
Amber’s hard work has paid off. She recently quit her side job as a barista to have more time for freelance illustration work. Amber: “Now I still work two days in a ceramics shop, and the rest of the time I focus entirely on being self-employed.” It’s busy, she admits. “Especially finding a balance is sometimes difficult. Sometimes I’m working on ten projects at once and thinking of quitting my last side job too. But when things are quieter, I still want to be able to pay my rent.” The combination of working and freelancing is also socially challenging. Amber: “Working on an assignment in the evening until 10pm, and wanting to spend time with friends. But I’m not complaining. I really like my work and I like to build a buffer so I can take a month off after a busy period, for example.”
Overijssel's history of slavery
At ArtEZ, Amber learned a lot about experimenting with different materials and styles. “I used to always draw neatly and mainly with markers,” Amber explains. “During my studies, I learned to experiment more and to adapt my materials to the assignment.” Currently, Amber, amongst other things, is working on a tapestry, based on the history of slavery in Overijssel. “I get to provide the design for this and work on it with other makers. Really super fun.” She has also done commissions for VPRO gids and Theaterkrant Magazine, among others. “It’s precisely that this variety that I like so much. As an employed illustrator, you are often doing the same thing. Which can be alright, if you don’t mind. But I like working on different projects.”
Staying visible as an illustrator
How do you profile yourself in the world of illustration? Amber: “I am quite opinionated and always do my own thing. That’s very important for your recognisability. Furthermore, I actually hate networking, but it’s kind of part of it.” During the corona period, Amber regularly posted videos on TikTok, and she remains active on social media. “Internships can also help you become more visible,” she adds. “For example, I did an internship at an illustration embassy. There, I was regularly taken to places and events related to illustration. That was really great. A good way to get to know other people within this industry.”
Sometimes, at the end of the day, we would be sent an article for which we had to hand in sketches the next day. But that’s how it is in real life too, you notice that now.”
Authentic vs. commercial
About her time at ArtEZ, Amber says: “The first corona years were difficult because we could be at the academy less. The first year was still normal and I enjoyed it immensely. Especially because you are surrounded by peers who are all going through the same thing. Sometimes education was strict, she admits. “You have to explain everything you make very well. And sometimes we were sent an article at the end of the day, about which we had to hand in sketches the next day. But that’s how it is in real life too, you only notice when you start working.” Teachers have a lot of experience and know what works in the illustration world, Amber believes. But it’s also important to stay true to yourself. “Your authenticity is going to bring you a lot. But as an illustrator, it’s also okay to think commercially. Just see what suits you.”
Apply for a fund to create own work
Amber also recommends building a network already during education, for example by going to events. “I really didn’t do that enough at that time, but I would definitely advise it,” she says. In addition to being an illustrator, she also feels she is an autonomous artist and dreams of one day creating something big for herself. “I work on commission for others now, but something for myself would also be super cool. Just completely out of my head. Of course that takes time and money, so maybe in the near future I will write to a fund to help me with this. Super exciting!”
Learn more about the Illustration Design bachelor's course
