Meet graphic designer and illustrator from Yogyakarta, Erin Dwi Azmi

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello! My name is Erin. I am a graphic designer and freelance illustrator based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. I graduated as a visual communication designer at the Indonesia Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta. I like to explore many medias around design and illustration or styles until I found shapes, colors, and patterns that fit with me as it is now. Besides making illustrations, I like to read books and watch Chibi Maruko Chan series because it can bring me in a good mood and set me ready to get back into my daily routine. I also got my heart in vintage-ious, retro stuff and fashion style and those were really affecting my artwork because when I was a kid I like to read and redraw my grandpa’s magazines and comics. He is a photographer and he has a lot of collections about magazines, comics, and other vintage stuff.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I live in Yogyakarta since I was in college and for me, Yogyakarta is a beautiful city with a thick Javanese culture vibe. Here I found polite people, extraordinary artists, communities, musicians, and students as well. Yogyakarta is marked as the city of students and tourist city in Indonesia, so no wonder there are so many foreigners and students here that are ready to study, explore, and especially learn about the local culture. In terms of fine art life, Yogyakarta is also called an “Artists City” in Indonesia because of the many art exhibitions held and performances that are well supported by the government and people here. Until now I am really enjoying living in Yogyakarta, the art atmosphere and communities really work well for me.

The best thing I can say about the city I am living in is that this city provides a good atmosphere for creating.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing I can say about the city I am living in is that this city provides a good atmosphere for creating. The living cost is also affordable. So you don’t need to be worried about your living here. The people are very kind and supportive. I found that there are just some disadvantages to living in Yogyakarta which is the public transportation that is not covering all the areas on the map, but it keeps improving, so no worries!

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Cultures

Vibrant

Collectives

How did you start your career in art?

Actually I started my career since I was a kid. No pressure just creating. I enjoy drawing until now. Since I was a kid I have joined many art competitions as well which really shaped my creative thinking. During my teenage years, I decided to focus on my career path as a creative, so I took a Visual Communication Design program in one of the best educational institutions in my country.

No pressure just creating.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Yes, people around me are very supportive, just not all of them.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I really want to build my own creative studio with creative partners that have the same vision as me.

I really want to build my own creative studio with creative partners that have the same vision as me.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

I really want to have collaboration with Abbey Lossing. She’s amazing!

How would you describe the women around you?

My mom is a very sharp thinker, a supportive person, and always gives me positive energy. My friends are also the same.

My mom is a very sharp thinker, a supportive person, and always gives me positive energy. My friends are also the same.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

One of them is Diela Maharanie. She has a really strong character in her designs.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

Being a female artist is a bit challenging. It used to, but nowadays females have more voice in this world. Female creatives have huge, growing, and solid communities that support their voice and always sounding their rights.

Keep growing no matter what, keep learning no matter what, and keep exploring anything you want, even when it looks impossible. Women support women.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Keep growing no matter what, keep learning no matter what, and keep exploring anything you want, even when it looks impossible. Women support women.

Photos courtesy of Erin Dwi Azmi