We’re hopping on a plane and crossing the Atlantic to Mexico to meet Melissa, better known as Ely Ely Ilustra—a standout illustrator whose work never fails to leave an impression.
Ely Ely Ilustra is a graphic designer, branding creator, and above all, an outstanding illustrator. Let’s hear what she has to share from Mexico City.
Interview with Ely Ely Ilustra: A Creative Explosion
Code: It’s a pleasure to chat with you for a few minutes. Your portfolio really impressed me, so I’d like to start at the beginning—tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and how it all began. Where and how did your journey start?
Ely Ely Ilustra: Like many illustrators, I’ve been drawing since I was a child, so it was pretty clear I’d end up in a creative field. I studied Graphic Design, and just before finishing university, I had the chance to study in Viña del Mar, Chile. There, I discovered its sister city, Valparaíso—an incredible place built on hills, with a port and vibrant, colorful houses. Art and design are everywhere: giant murals, poetry on the walls, and amazing artistic expressions at every turn. That experience changed my perspective, and I decided to turn my love and talent for drawing into a career. I knew I wanted to become a full-time illustrator someday.
A few years later, I returned to Mexico, worked at a couple of agencies, and took on freelance illustration projects on the side. Eventually, I took the leap, and now I’m a full-time independent illustrator.
I collaborate with many advertising agencies and create digital illustration, editorial work, and large-format pieces for both national and international brands. 🙂
Code: I’m really struck by your use of color and the unique style of your illustrations. Can you tell me about your creative process? How would you define your style?
Ely Ely Ilustra: When I’m working for a client, I always stick to the brief and do some research to expand my mental image library. But when I illustrate for myself, I draw inspiration from something I’ve seen, a photo, or an image in my mind—sometimes it’s just a thought I translate into a visual. I sketch several times before moving on to the digital phase.
Code: I’ve noticed that the female figure appears in many of your works. Why do you think that is?
Ely Ely Ilustra: I once read that we tend to draw what we know best. It’s no coincidence that many illustrators’ characters resemble themselves. In my case, as a woman, I naturally relate to that experience, and I like to use my illustrations to portray women who are comfortable in their own skin and environment—strong women enjoying life.
Code: And what about your use of color? It’s clearly a key element in your work. How important is it, and in what way?
Ely Ely Ilustra: Living in Mexico means being surrounded by bold colors and textures—that’s a huge source of inspiration for me. I love referencing Mexican folk aesthetics, and that comes through in how I interpret and create my illustrations.
Code: And to wrap up, here are the three magic questions we ask all our guests:
Code: What’s the best thing about being a creative?
Ely Ely Ilustra: The ability to see the world from a different perspective, to imagine freely, to have freedom of thought, flexible schedules if you freelance, and the variety of projects and experiences you get to live.
Code: And the worst?
Ely Ely Ilustra: For me, my biggest “enemy” has always been perfectionism. While it’s helped me improve and raise the quality of my work, it also put me under a lot of pressure. I had to learn to manage it differently, to be kinder to myself.
Another challenge for creatives is that sometimes we just want to draw, but we haven’t learned or focused on the administrative or accounting side of things—skills that are essential whether you’re independent or taking on freelance projects now and then.
Code: How do you see the industry right now?
Ely Ely Ilustra: I think illustration has always had a strong presence. It’s a vital part of advertising and publishing, to name just two sectors. It’s very much alive, and there are so many talented illustrators around the world. It’s truly inspiring.
Code: What are you working on right now? Any new projects?
Ely Ely Ilustra: Right now, I’m working on some illustrations for Nike’s internal communications, as well as a few personal projects.
Code: That brings us to the end of this interview. Congratulations on your work—we’ll be following you closely. You’re a true inspiration.
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