Meet Jenni Conde | Illustrator & Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenni Conde and we’ve shared our conversation below.

What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

It has been a long and hard process, I think there is a lot to mature and that takes time. For me, the most important thing is to know yourself and have clear goals to achieve them in the short and long term. It is also important to talk and lean on the people who love you, sometimes they give you an interesting point of view to move forward.

Social impact: how does your business help the community or the world?

I firmly believe that illustration and design are key tools for the development of communities. Through this we create books, video games, series and cultural activities that enrich and make people grow. In my personal case, thanks to my business I help people through images to capture what they have in their heads, I support texts and I make people interested in the artistic area.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

I am a cautious person, but adventurous and determined to be part of the artistic community. I have been taking the steps I considered necessary to get where I am. I believe that we have a life, and although I am not one of those who take crazy risks, I do believe that you have to fight to get what you want. You have to find a balance between reason and the heart.

If you are a parent, what do you think is the most important thing you have done as a parent in terms of the impact on your children?

I am not a mother, but if I were I would try to support him/her/them and help him/her/them develop in the areas that he/se/they likes. And give love, of course.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?

The constancy. Over time you will find many obstacles, and you will think about giving up millions of times. That is why it is important to know ourselves, treat each other with affection and be patient. Things don’t come fast, everything has a process. That is why, in my case, discipline, perseverance and networking have been key factors to get where I am.

How to know whether to keep going or to give up?

This is something very personal, and even abstract. You may have moved away from your goal but after years come back stronger. Or you can follow a line and go step by step. I think that in these cases you have to follow your intuition, which is a mixture of logic and emotions. The most important thing is to know that everything can change and nothing is going to be set in stone. Flow with the circumstances.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?

Oh wow, this point I’m still working on it haha! I am a very dedicated person and that has led me to invest more hours in my work life than in my free time. But for a few years that has changed, I try to manage myself so that I give everything time. I enjoy my work and I am thankful for it, but personal and social time is of vital importance to grow as people. Balance is sometimes complicated, but it is something that you have to fight to achieve.

What makes you happy? Why?

I have a list of millions of things that make me happy. From a day of south wind, dining on the beach, breathing fresh air in the mountains, enjoying with my friends, vibrating drawing, visiting exhibitions, reading and doing crafts… It also makes me happy when my clients, students and colleagues congratulate me for a job well done. I believe in the little things that bring happiness 🙂

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?

Because since I was little I have been clear that this was my path, and I have decided to bet on myself. They have been hard years but it has been worth it, I think you have to study or do what you feel moves you.

How do you define success?

For me, success is when you achieve those goals that you have set for yourself. It’s also when you realize that they are unrealistic and idyllic goals, and you change them to make them more feasible. Success is something very personal for each person, and you work day by day with small steps.

I take this opportunity to thank both the production for inviting me, and the readers. For me it is a success and a pleasure to be here 🙂

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am currently the 2D artist at a mobile video game company, as well as freelancing illustration and graphic design. I have always been interested in the world of videogames, it is an area that seems extremely interesting to me because, being interactive, the dialogue that is established with the public is different. As a freelance, I have been specializing in illustrated books, covers for novels and advertising. It has not been a bed of roses for me, I have always faced many challenges. But I have always had my goal clear in mind. I think that one of the most difficult things I have faced is not knowing what I wanted to specialize in. When I finished my studies in illustration, I loved everything, literally everything. Years have had to pass to try all those things and to discard and focus on the ones that I felt I was most passionate about. I still have a long way to go, and the road must be enjoyed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What a difficult question! I believe that each area has its charm and its history, I would love to travel around the world and get to know the different cultures and places. But it depends on how my friend is, if he/she/they likes to party, I will surely take him/her/them to a big city, like Barcelona or Madrid, places that allow you to visit beautiful places, eat very well, and at night there is an atmosphere to go out for a drink. But if my friend is calmer and values nature, I would bring him/her/them to the north, to Cantabria or Galicia, which have wonderful landscapes to connect with nature.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh wow, I have to name a lot of people haha. Starting with my grandparents and my sister, who have always believed and supported me and given me the necessary impetus to not stop. Also to my uncle Lolo, that in him I found a figure similar to me. To my closest friends, Eze, Héctor, Loreto and Pablo, colleagues and life partners who have helped me grow. Also to ESAC, the school of illustration that, thanks to its teachers, I had the opportunity to learn so much. To Óscar, the bookseller who always supported us in our projects and took them to another level. To all those people that I have been meeting in my life and have given me impulse of all kinds. To all those referring to all historical periods. And to all the fans, clients and students who have trusted me. Thank you all <3

Website: https://linktr.ee/jenniconde

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennulus/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenni-conde/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jennulus

Image Credits
Fotografía: Tannia Molinero (https://www.instagram.com/tannia_rnd/)