Meet Tricia Dugat | Designer / Illustrator / Entrepreneur

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

Hi Tricia, what do you attribute your success to?
It’s kind of simple, in fact, kind of stupid simple – ha. Showing up again and again has been the most important factor. There are lots of ups and downs to running a business, and when you’re selling a product specifically, there’s a lot of risk involved. I’ve found the best way to overcome the anxiety of taking these kinds of risks is to keep moving forward. Sometimes things flop, sometimes, they really flop, and sometimes they succeed in a way I had never anticipated, but I’m not here to worry about that. I’m here to take calculated risks, and take directives from God. My mission is centered on Him, so He’s ultimately running the show. I show up and receive whatever He wants me to receive.

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’ve loved to draw since I was little. I used to make my own comics, magazines, and just random portraits of made-up people. It was very evident to me from an early age that I wanted to be a professional creative. I never anticipated that would be graphic design, but looking back it makes so much sense! My style has evolved tremendously over the years, most recently influenced by mid-century modern aesthetics, with heavy use of geometry and simplified forms. I love color most of all and probably enjoy developing a palette more than any other part of the creative process. Inspiration for me can spring from a good palette and can inform the rest of the work and direction I end up going. I’ve definitely learned to trust the process of making art, to take breaks when I hit a dead-end, and when I come back fresh things fall into place every. single. time. Good self care, and journaling are also very important to being ready to create. The thing I always want to project through my work is joy and hope. I observe a lot of cynicism and lack of hope in our culture, and I’ve made it my mission to be a counter to that. I want to tell people that there’s a reason to embrace what’s good and true, and that they are valuable and loved – that they have a special dignity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is Houston, and as such, food is one of our crown jewels, so I’d take my bestie to spots like Ninfa’s on Navigation (iconic, delicious), we’d get coffee at The Agora (quirky atmosphere/vibes), grab some cupcakes from Celebrity Cupcakes in Rice Village, and definitely some drinks at Anvil. We’d visit the MFAH and the CAM, head up to The Woodlands for more food and a stroll along the lake, and do some shopping at my fave spots: Rice Village, 19th Street, and antiques spots in The Heights. While we were in that area we’d grab goodies and cool finds from A 2nd Cup. One thing I also love to do in Houston is just drive around different areas of town to appreciate the architecture. We’ve got so much to offer from Victorian beauties to mid century gems. The thing I’m most proud of is our city’s diversity. We have such an amazing blend of cultures and good people here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Practically speaking, my experience as a designer is owed to those people who took me on in my early years, who shaped me and taught me the ins and outs of being a professional creative. Secondarily, my family has supported and cheered me on always. Primarily, though, I give credit to my Creator. He gave me a love for beauty and art that sparked when I was a kid. He gave me a great grandma who cultivated this love in me – surrounding me with art supplies, colorful picture books, and an appreciation for natural beauty. He gave me a mom who was herself beautiful, who valued aesthetics, and supported my dreams. She raised me as a single mom and showed me that strength is also beautiful, hard work very important, and grit essential.

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