We recently connected with Zuzanna Kowalczyk and have shared our conversation below.

Zuzanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I honed my skills as an illustrator and graphic designer through a combination of formal education and hands-on experience. My artistic journey began with a passion for visual storytelling, which led me to explore various design tools, techniques, and mediums over the years.

In retrospect, to speed up my learning process, I could have focused more on practical projects early on, rather than getting too caught up in perfecting every small detail. Embracing mistakes and learning from them would have accelerated my growth.

The most essential skills for me have been creativity, attention to detail, and a strong grasp of design software. Equally important is adaptability—being able to experiment with new techniques and tools to evolve with industry trends.

One of the main obstacles I faced was self-doubt, which sometimes slowed my progress. Overcoming it required building confidence through practice and gradually taking on more challenging projects.

Zuzanna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an illustrator and graphic designer, blending the expressive of art with the structured logic of design. My journey into the creative industry started with a deep passion for visual storytelling, where I found a natural connection between artistic illustration and the technical precision of graphic design. Over time, I’ve built a unique practice that merges these two worlds, resulting in visually compelling work that balances creativity with clarity.

I specialize in combining custom illustrations with modern design principles to create product graphics, branding materials, and visual identities. My work is not just about aesthetics; it’s about solving problems through design. Whether it’s helping a brand find its visual voice or creating illustrations that resonate with a specific audience, I strive to make an emotional and functional impact. This gives my work a distinct character that clients appreciate when they want something that stands out but still communicates effectively.

I’m most proud of the flexibility and adaptability I bring to my projects—whether working on a large-scale branding effort or a more intimate, personal illustration. The main thing I want potential clients or followers to know is that my work is driven by a passion for creativity that doesn’t sacrifice logic or functionality. Each project is a chance to explore new ideas while delivering solutions that make a meaningful difference.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the ability to bring ideas and emotions to life visually. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see a concept transform from a sketch or an abstract thought into something tangible that resonates with others. Whether it’s a piece of art or a design solution, knowing that my work can inspire, evoke feelings, or solve a problem for someone is what truly drives me. There’s a special kind of satisfaction in creating something unique that connects with people on a personal level.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A key lesson I had to unlearn is that rules in design and illustration are absolute. Early on, I focused heavily on mastering foundational principles like anatomy, composition, and color theory, believing that adhering strictly to these rules was the only way to create good work. While those fundamentals are crucial to understand, I later realized that true creativity often comes from knowing when and how to break them.

Once I had a solid grasp of the basics, I learned to let go of rigid expectations and trust my instincts more. This allowed me to explore more experimental, unconventional approaches that added a unique flair to my work. The backstory to this shift is the realization that the most striking designs or illustrations often come from bending or even breaking traditional rules—doing so consciously and with purpose. Now, I see those guidelines as tools rather than constraints, and that freedom has been transformative for my creative process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.behance.net/zuzazuza
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fri.sjel_art/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zuzanna-kowalczyk-b5b79620b/

Image Credits

all image credits belong to me – Zuzanna Kowalczyk