Zara Lily McDermott
Welcome Zara Lily McDermott… a playful, bold and energetic illustrator who experiments with her characters and loves the freedom and limitless possibilities of the craft. Find out how Zara overcame her first live scribing event and why she would encourage any aspiring illustrator to be organised and embrace challenges.
@zaralily_illustrates
zaralilymcdermott.com
1. How would you describe your style?
I always try to describe my work in 3 words; energetic, playful and bold. I always want my work to evoke positivity and good energy. A lot of my illustrations involve quirky characters, vibrant colours, and bold shapes.
Over the years I've really embraced character design within my work. I love stretching their limbs and seeing how they can be ‘squished’ together on a page. Playing around with composition is a key part of my style. From the perspective of an illustrator, I love how we have the power to draw things in any way we want. Need a character with arms the length of Big Ben, sure why not? There is so much fun to be had.
“From the perspective of an illustrator, I love how we have the power to draw things in any way we want. Need a character with arms the length of Big Ben, sure why not? There is so much fun to be had. ”
2. What is the one tool or piece of software you can't live without in your illustration process? Are there any mediums you'd like to explore further?
I do favour my pencil and paper, It’s where it all starts for me. Putting pencil to paper will always be satisfying, as much as I love using my Ipad, I can’t get the same energy in a sketch that I get from pencil. But equally I don't think I could live without my Ipad, I hate to admit that I’m very attached to that thing. It's become a great tool in my creation, it helps me finalise roughs quickly and the unlimited access to all those colours, what a treat. I would like to venture into creating animations. I’ve done some here and there but still have plenty to learn.
3. What’s a project that really pushed your creative boundaries, or one that you learned a lot from, even if it wasn't necessarily the most 'successful'?
One project that really pushed my creative boundaries was my first experience with Live Scribing. It was something I hadn't done before and very outside my comfort zone, and honestly, I doubted my abilities before I even started. The pressure of creating something in real-time with no time for edits, as well as processing information from the conference was daunting. But in the end, I learned a lot about trusting myself and embracing the process. It became clear that much of my hesitation was rooted in self-doubt, and once I let go of that, I was able to enjoy the event and feel a sense of accomplishment. Also I had a great team at this particular event, fellow illustrators Blue Skye and Archie McKenzie.
The work seemed seamless and this was a project where I embraced the fear, I walked away from the experience with a stronger belief in my skills. It taught me a lot about overcoming insecurities and stepping outside my comfort zone.
4. If you had to choose one piece from your portfolio that best represents who you are as an artist right now, which would it be and why?
I think this speculative editorial piece I created recently would definitely be up there. It focuses on the importance of rebuilding your gut microbiome, which is a topic I’m really passionate about. I love how the construction character interacts with the bacteria, it feels playful and cute. I’ve definitely been drawn to more decorative designs lately, incorporating patterns and borders into my work. I have a real love for old decorative medieval illustrations.
This piece reflects my love for combining vibrant visuals with meaningful concepts. Health and well-being are subjects I enjoy researching, and I think this piece is a great example of how I try to translate that passion into my artwork.
5. Who are your creative heroes... from illustrators and beyond?
One of my creative heroes is Lily Kong. I love her work for its humor, playfulness, and vibrant energy. Her style reminds me to embrace the fun and experimental side of illustration, and to keep playing with my own work.
Also as someone who spends a lot of time listening to music, I have to mention Honne, an electronic music duo from London. I listen to them a lot when I’m creating, and I’m really drawn to the visuals that accompany their music, especially their music videos, they perfectly complement the mood of their songs. "Imaginary" and "Girl in the Orchestra" are two of my favorites, they involve gorgeous painted animations and a cute funny cardboard head.
“… I embraced the fear, I walked away from the experience with a stronger belief in my skills. It taught me a lot about overcoming insecurities and stepping outside my comfort zone.”
6. What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators who are just starting out?
Try to embrace organisation, particularly spreadsheets! I used to feel they were too business for me but have been extremely valuable. I keep one for tracking my earnings and expenses, which is incredibly helpful when tax season rolls around. It also gives me a clear view of my financial progress. Another spreadsheet I have is for managing contacts. As an illustrator, you’ll likely be sending out hundreds of emails, and it’s easy to lose track of who you've reached out to. Having a dedicated place to record this information can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
Staying organized allows you to focus more on your creativity and less on administrative tasks, the sooner you put these things in place the easier it is for the future you!
7. What's been the toughest hurdle you've had to clear in your illustration career, and what did you learn from it?
I think the hardest part of my career has been the transition after graduating last year. I studied illustration, and stepping out of the university environment has been a real challenge. I struggled with the loss of a routine, the loss of the amazing studio space and the supportive, inspiring creative community that university provides. I’m a person who thrives on being busy. I loved the constant projects from the course as well as doing freelance commission work on the side. When I left, it felt like I lost a bit of my spark and structure, and it definitely knocked me sideways.
It’s been a tough adjustment, but after a lot of reflection, I think it's helped me grow stronger and more resilient as an artist.
8. What's your favorite part of the illustration process, from concept to completion?
I really love the thumbnailing stage and the initial dive into the brief. That’s where the excitement happens for me, the ideas are flowing and you can really explore all the possibilities. But equally I also find a huge enjoyment in the moment when the work comes to life. When it's out in the world, being used and appreciated by others.
One of my favorite moments was when I was back in my hometown and spotted a stranger wearing a t-shirt I had illustrated for Clifton Coffee, a Bristol-based roastery. It was the first time I saw someone wearing one of my designs, and to have that happen in my hometown was such a cool experience! I posted a photo of the moment on my Instagram if you want to go find it.
9. What role do you think illustration plays in society today?
I believe illustration plays a huge role in today’s society, especially in how we communicate and process information. At its core, illustration is a form of storytelling, and humans are inherently storytellers. I am personally drawn to illustrations that sit beside text. It's amazing how illustration can add so much to the way we process information, especially in the context of editorial work. The way an illustration can not only support but elevate the message of an article is such a valuable tool.
We live in an age where information is constantly bombarding us, and illustration helps highlight the most important ideas, and can make them stand out. We can communicate in ways that photography is limited by, what you can draw with a pencil is limitless!
10. Is there anything you'd like to share with our audience that you haven't talked about yet?
I am currently watching a very good animation show called ‘Common Side Effects’. It's incredible and I’m recommending it to everyone. A truly captivating story that blends comedy, mystery and explores human morality. It gets us to rethink the way the world works. The main character Marshall is such a cool dude, and his tortoise is called Socrates, what more do you need?