7QYP
Seven Questions with a Young Professional
Who: Jilawan Bunnimit
What: Graphic Designer/Commercial Artist
By Augusta Olsen
Miss Cake creates tasty illustrations and graphic confections with a designer’s touch. Jilawan Bunnimit is otherwise known as Miss Cake, an Omaha native who has been simultaneously pursuing commercial artwork and graphic design work through a series of D.I.Y. projects, commissioned works, and creative explorations since she earned a design degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in 2004. Learn more about her sweet style here, at her website, misscake.com and her Etsy story, etsy.com/shop/misscakedesign.
When did you become Miss Cake?
In 2006 I was trying to name my website “Cake and Eat It” but that was taken and when I was brainstorming ideas I happened to write down “Miss Cake” and it was just like “whoa… that’s me.” Plus I think all my best work came from screwing things up so to me it also means it’s like “miss-takes but sweeter .”
You design business cards for people, CD art, invitations, flyers, clothing hang tags—what have been your most favorite projects for other people?
Flyer art. I did some stuff for Aetherplough I liked. I’m doing some poster art for someone I met with today. It’s fun because it is usually illustration-based design.
Can you describe your design process for illustration-based design?
The process–I start with original hand-drawn images, and then work with them, digital editing and Photoshop. I create hand-written texts, too. I don’t use a lot of predesigned fonts, unless there is a lot of text in the project.
What do you sell in your Etsy store?
I’m trying to add something new every week, at least. Handmade zip pouches I do, very functional, illustrated cards. I’m going to have prints up there soon. Some of my original block print stuff. My favorite method [of printing] is block printing right now because of the quality it has.
How long have you been working as a graphic designer and commercial artist?
Seven years, since I graduated in 2004. I was pursuing graphic design, but I got into pursuing art for myself.
How have the two evolved for you now at this point?
I’ve decided I prefer to work in my own graphic style rather than catering to a corporate style or a mainstream style. I have a hand element in all of the things I do. I have a style that comes across, I wanted my art to be the brand.
How would you describe your brand, Miss Cake?
Very hands-on. I also do crafting…I like it to have a handmade style. That can translate to a commercial print project; t-shirts, notebooks, whatever you want. I like it to be accessible, something that is accessible to a large part of the human race.
Do you consider yourself to be more of a graphic artist or a designer?
A bit of both. It’s hard to make one work without the other. A designer should also be an artist, who can apply the foundations of art: composition, color, light, to anything in the world by adding form and functionality whether it is at chair level or a socioeconomic level. An artist should also be a designer, making the most out of the materials available and aiming to stay environmentally responsible.
The photo shoot you recently styled for online magazine Esoteric Velvet was fun. How was your work represented in that project?
The walls and artwork were part of a joint show between Gerard Pefung and myself that we had opened that same month at the now defunct Retro. I was just inspired by the space we created to do it there and was lucky enough for Bryce Bridges to take the amazing photographs pro bono because he is a big supporter of my work. It was extremely playful and inspired between Bryce Bridges, the models and myself I think because we all have a personal connection as well.
What are your favorite ways to incorporate style into your daily life?
How do I explain that I am really into minimal maximalism? I don’t like the clutter of hoarding things you “might need someday.” Physical clutter causes mental clutter. I prefer to keep a small apartment with just what I need to live and create but my studio walls are covered with collages and bursting with color and inspiration.
What inspires you?
I always have a notebook on me. If I’m hanging out socially, I’ll doodle, or write down things that people say that I think are funny or touch me. I collect those and when I go back to my studio, I work with them. I put words in a lot of my work, and titles – those things I heard often work their way into the titles. I like listening, observing common culture – there’s some pretty funny stuff out there.