Haleigh Mun

How did you develop your style as an illustrator and what tips would you have for others?

My drawing style slowly developed in my sketchbook. There was no theme or no rule in my sketchbook. I tried any medium I could possibly use, and drew anything that came in my mind. I didn’t worry about making mistakes or ruining a page. Within many fully filled sketchbooks, I could finally see myself in my drawing. My drawing became much freer and joyful. Since keeping the sketchbook really helped me develop my style, I like to recommend others to do the same. Allow yourselves to be you in your sketchbooks!

Talk us through a typical working day include for you right now.

I’m a morning person and I normally wake up around 7:00 AM. I do a big breakfast in the morning, reply to emails, and get ready for the day.

I used to share a studio in Brooklyn, NY but I don’t anymore. My work station changes every day. I decide each morning where I would like to work at. It could be the cafes nearby, at the parks and harbors if the weather is nice, on the subway train, school library, or in my bed in my small room. I try my best to listen to myself and be happy each day. And then I draw and draw until my hands get tired.

What are some of the best and worst parts of your job, day-to-day.

The best part of being an illustrator is that I am doing what I Iove. I enjoy drawing and making images very much. I draw for work and for my own free time. I love that my hobby became my job. The worst part but the fun part is that I never know what’s ahead of me. I could get an email about the new project in the early morning while I’m still sleeping or during my lunch or anytime or never. It comes very randomly and I try to be ready all the time. Even though I love my job, I sometimes struggle with the unstable income and worry that I would never get another project to keep me going.

Did you have a plan for graduation and what actually happened?

I thought I would immediately get an editorial job as soon as I got out of college and that was not what happened. It took me a few months to acknowledge that no one would even know who I am and they were not waiting for me to graduate. Then I became more active. I started to send out promos to the art directors I wanted to work with, submit my artworks for the blog features, and did lots of personal drawings. In the beginning, I couldn’t hear from anyone and my confidence was getting lower and lower. But I never stopped drawing and kept sending the promos and finally, I got my first job.