Read our interview with Jade, the creator behind AJDesignss.
Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m Jade, I am a digital artist based in the UK! I have always loved to draw, it’s been my passion since I was a child! I did take a long break from creating anything in general due to not having a lot of time and losing my passion a little bit, but in 2021 I found my spark back and picked up my drawing pencil to restart my art. So I have been drawing digitally for 4 years, which is crazy! I have really realised over the years that art is the centre everything for me, it gives me a way to escape, it’s there for when I am bored, and it’s a great way to both express how I feel and to inspire people. I do try to show myself through my art, as it’s one of the main ways I know how to express myself without feeling like I’m being loud.
I decided in 2023 that I was going to take the next step with my art and start selling my art in sticker form, this had been a massive dream of mine for the few years before. I’ve always thought it would be so cool to make stickers and pins of my art and maybe even do in person markets. So since then I have been making and selling my art in so many different forms, which has completely blown me away that people like my art as much as I do. But I’m hoping that the future brings even more opportunities and dreams!
What are you inspired by?
So this is quite a big question for me because a lot of the time I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what has inspired me to draw throughout the years. But I do know that the majority of my inspiration comes from the people and media around me. So for example the games that I have played throughout my life have had a massive impact on my type of art and art style. The main part of this would be Nintendo games. I absolutely loved my little Nintendo Ds when I was a kid, looking after my nintendogs and neighbours in Animal Crossing. And now that extends to my love for games like Zelda, My sims, and so much more. So I guess you could say that this is where the majority of my inspiration comes from, as well as the world around me.
I do also take inspiration from the people around me. My family has always been on more of the creative side, my mum is an amazing photographer, and my dad was really good at drawing. So they have given me a lot of inspiration throughout my life too.
What is your favorite piece of art that you’ve created?
My favourite piece of art that I have created has to be my Bee and Puppycat inspired drawing! It is one of my absolute favourite drawings and animated shows too! I first had the idea to do that particular drawing because I went to MCM Comic Con in London and saw artists who had drawn Bee and Puppycat and that then made me want to re-watch the series. Which I did end up doing, and then while I was watching one of the episodes the idea just hit me! I started to sketch it out and from then I knew it was going to be a favourite drawing of mine, especially with it taking me almost 50 hours to draw!
I would also say that I have an upcoming project that I am currently working on which I think will become my favourite product I have created. I’ve been keeping it mostly a secret but I think it’s time to say what it is: I’m making a colouring book! I cannot wait to finally have the physical copy in my hands over the next few weeks. Making a children’s book – or even a colouring book – has been another big dream of mine, so to have the opportunity to be able to do it now is crazy!
Why did you decide to start your own business?
I decided to start my own business because it has been a massive dream of mine to sell my art in different forms, such as stickers, prints, and pins. So in 2023 I decided to take this jump and started my own little Etsy store! I also wanted to start making the transition to see if I can make being a full-time artist possible, so building a community that like the products and characters that I make. And what I can say is, that is now a reality! Starting my business was such a scary thing to do at the time, but I am forever grateful that I did it. I know little Jade would be crazy proud of what I am doing now, and excited for the future!
What was your thought process behind starting a YouTube channel?
I started a YouTube channel because I wanted a way to show more of my life and my art process, as I personally love watching those kinds of videos!
How do you deal with moments of creative block or self-doubt?
I do suffer from creative block quite a lot, as a lot of other artists do as well, and my main way of dealing with it is going back to my roots of my creativity. I will put on films that inspire me, play games that I love, or even just put my iPad and pens down and relax without drawing (like going on a walk). Kind of like a reset. This really helps me because it gives me time to have more space in my head for potential creative ideas. I also love watching other artists on YouTube, as this can really give me a lot of inspiration to draw and even just motivation to finish a drawing I am working on.
In terms of self doubt, I can be described as an overthinker so I do often have the thoughts that my art isn’t good enough. However, over that last few years I have tried my hardest to get out of this habit by learning to love my art for what it is. I also tried to tell myself to remember that a lot of people have different life scenarios, they may have been drawing for a lot longer than I have, they may have a lot more time to draw, and so on. And this has really helped me to learn to love my art for what it is and to now look at artists and let them inspire me rather than make me feel bad for not being as good. So my biggest piece of advice is to remember to love your art and not compare yourself to other artists or even people.
Can you share one of your favorite memories about your small business?
Honestly it would be when I got my first sale! It was such a defining moment for me and my business. It took me three months for the first one to come through but after that I had the confidence that I needed to continue. I still remember when I saw the cha-ching pop up on my phone for a little Kazuha sticker, it really cheered me up in a time where I was loosing hope for my art and wondering why I started my business at all. I knew from that day that if I put more time into my business then maybe I can build it up more, because someone did like my art enough to buy it!
Is there anyone that you would like to thank?
My mum, my friends and the community that I have made on social media! Everyone has really encouraged me to keep drawing and has given me the confidence that I’ve needed over the years to keep creating! Thank you!
All images included in this article belong to AJDesignss.
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