Lauren is a student, graphic designer and illustrator who is living in the city of New York. She loves people in love, tiny paint brushes, flaming hot cheetos, intricate line art, uncontrollable laughter, tangerine nail polish, and banana cream pie from Billy's bakery.
She was born and raised in Southern California and as a kid spent most of her afternoons drawing chalk murals of flowers, puppies and other adorable stuff on the sidewalks. She was only three when she realized she wanted to be an artist and since then she has come a long way, designing and illustrating.
She is currently pursuing a degree in advertising and graphic design from the School of Visual Arts, New York. Her illustrations and designs are perfectly amazing and she has tried her hands on almost everything from illustrating children's book to working on branding different brands. Read on to know more about Lauren and her work in our exclusive interview with her.
1. Hi Lauren, please introduce yourself to our readers. What is Hom Sweet Hom all about?
I'm a 22 year-old designer and illustrator based in New York City. Originally from southern California, I moved across the country to pursue a degree from the School of Visual Arts. Hom Sweet Hom is the name of my one-woman design studio I started a few years ago. I've worked on a little bit of everything, from branding restaurant groups to illustrating children's books.
2. What inspired you to become an artist? When did you decide that you wanted to become an artist or were you always inclined towards art? Tell us something about your initial experiences as an artist?
When I was a kid, you could always find me drawing sidewalk chalk murals in front of the house. My teenage years were spent doodling on notebooks, and by the time college applications rolled around, I found myself wanting to go to art school. Now, I'm making a living by doing what I love to do. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
3. I love the humorous way in which you have presented the sarcasm in your Daily Dishonesty series. Was it some sort of a personal experience that prompted you to come up it or share with us the inspiration behind this series.
I came up with the idea for Daily Dishonesty while I was sitting at the kitchen table with my roommates, having some wine and cheese. We were talking about all the things we wanted to do in our free time, and then we burst into laughter because we realized that we were all lying - none of us actually had any free time! I felt the light bulb go off in my head, made a long list of all the other lies I routinely tell myself, and started drawing immediately. The next day, Daily Dishonesty was born.
4. Now, this is a question that we ask every artist we interview and the most difficult for an artist to answer. Which of your project are the closest to your heart?
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Exotic-Eats/3144912
The project that is closest to my heart is my children's book, Exotic Eats. Inspired by my family, it's an ABC book that teaches kids about food from around the world. Growing up, my mom cooked everything from curry to tamales, so I learned to appreciate all types of cuisines from an early age. I want parents to be able to use this book as a tool for preventing picky eaters. It's in production right now and will be available in March 2013.
5. What is Hom+Gang? All your projects are amazing but one of my personal favorite is the CBS Outdoor one, love your approach. Share with us your state of mind when you’re working on such projects.
Thank you! Hom+Gang is the other creative studio that I run with my partner, Jessie Gang. While Hom Sweet Hom is focused on design and illustration, Hom+Gang provides creative advertising and brand solutions. We're both designers who love to think beyond aesthetic. When we work on projects, we're always thinking of how we can display a brand's message in the most engaging and surprising way. Our minds are definitely focused on human truths and needs when we do our creative work.
6. What is it about handmade art that makes you appreciate it more than art created using digital tools?
Though I am a huge fan of work created digitally, there's something about a hand-drawn image that a computer could never capture. I think it's the tiny imperfections that make something memorable: slightly crooked lines, little smudges, and splotches of color. I begin the majority of my work by hand and add the finishing touches on the computer, so I can always retain a touch of those qualities.
7. Apart from designing and illustrating, what other activities do you enjoy? What activity do you find the most relaxing?
When I'm not designing, you can find me baking in my tiny East Village kitchen, mixing a fruity cocktail, or sewing pillows. I truly believe that creativity is a full-time job and you can't just turn it off. I'm happiest and most relaxed when I'm making something, whether it be banana bread or a business card.
8. If you could peek inside the studio/toolbox of any designer/artist/photographer, whose would it be and why? What is the best compliment you have received so far for your work?
I've actually been lucky enough to have worked for the designer I'd choose for this question. Louise Fili is a master of elegant typography, food packaging, restaurant branding, and book design. Her studio is stocked with catalogs of type specimens that she's collected over the years, as well as books, posters, and other pretty things. Oh, and she always has something sweet (think gelato and cookies) in her kitchen.
The best compliments I've received are the ones that say, "Your work has inspired me to start drawing again" or "Seeing your project made me want to start something of my own". There's no greater feeling than knowing that I'm inspiring other people to create.
10. What is the most important piece of advice that you would like to give to aspiring artists?
"Work hard. Snack often."
When most people tell you to "work hard", what they really mean is "work hard enough". When I say it, I don't mean "work hard enough to get an A in your design class" or "work hard enough to get a decent job". To me, "work hard" means falling asleep with your sketchbook in your hand because you just had to write down those late-night ideas. It means choosing your craft over your personal life. It means being utterly dissatisfied with "good". Though this advice may sound extreme, it's gotten me to where I am today. Oh, and the snacks. They've helped too.
Thank you Lauren for taking out the time and doing this interview with us. We'd like to wish you the very best for the future.
To read more of such inspiring interviews, follow us on Facebook.
Though I am a huge fan of work created digitally, there's something about a hand-drawn image that a computer could never capture. I think it's the tiny imperfections that make something memorable: slightly crooked lines, little smudges, and splotches of color. I begin the majority of my work by hand and add the finishing touches on the computer, so I can always retain a touch of those qualities.
7. Apart from designing and illustrating, what other activities do you enjoy? What activity do you find the most relaxing?
When I'm not designing, you can find me baking in my tiny East Village kitchen, mixing a fruity cocktail, or sewing pillows. I truly believe that creativity is a full-time job and you can't just turn it off. I'm happiest and most relaxed when I'm making something, whether it be banana bread or a business card.
8. If you could peek inside the studio/toolbox of any designer/artist/photographer, whose would it be and why? What is the best compliment you have received so far for your work?
I've actually been lucky enough to have worked for the designer I'd choose for this question. Louise Fili is a master of elegant typography, food packaging, restaurant branding, and book design. Her studio is stocked with catalogs of type specimens that she's collected over the years, as well as books, posters, and other pretty things. Oh, and she always has something sweet (think gelato and cookies) in her kitchen.
The best compliments I've received are the ones that say, "Your work has inspired me to start drawing again" or "Seeing your project made me want to start something of my own". There's no greater feeling than knowing that I'm inspiring other people to create.
9. What are your future plans as an artist? Do you have a dream project in mind?
I plan on continuing Daily Dishonesty, as well as a number of other side projects I have in the works. I'll continue to run Hom Sweet Hom and Hom+Gang, hopefully expanding both ventures soon. As for a dream project, I've always wanted to design, brand, and open my own restaurant.
I plan on continuing Daily Dishonesty, as well as a number of other side projects I have in the works. I'll continue to run Hom Sweet Hom and Hom+Gang, hopefully expanding both ventures soon. As for a dream project, I've always wanted to design, brand, and open my own restaurant.
10. What is the most important piece of advice that you would like to give to aspiring artists?
"Work hard. Snack often."
When most people tell you to "work hard", what they really mean is "work hard enough". When I say it, I don't mean "work hard enough to get an A in your design class" or "work hard enough to get a decent job". To me, "work hard" means falling asleep with your sketchbook in your hand because you just had to write down those late-night ideas. It means choosing your craft over your personal life. It means being utterly dissatisfied with "good". Though this advice may sound extreme, it's gotten me to where I am today. Oh, and the snacks. They've helped too.
Thank you Lauren for taking out the time and doing this interview with us. We'd like to wish you the very best for the future.
To read more of such inspiring interviews, follow us on Facebook.
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