Artist of the Month - @bigbeardamian

Say hello to Damian Orellana, aka @bigbeardamian, a designer and illustrator based in New York City with roots that stretch back to his Guatemalan heritage and a big, creative family. And speaking of: Family has always been at the heart of Damian's work, inspiring him to dream bigger and push his art further.

The career that I initially struggled with ended up being something I couldn't live without. It was a career-changing moment, and now I can't imagine doing anything else.

I feel like I was made for this.

Damian’s journey started young, sketching and experimenting with traditional mediums like pen, ink, and watercolors before discovering the digital tools that opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Along the way, mentors and friends have shaped his path, giving him the confidence to turn creativity into a career. Today, Damian is chasing his dream of building a brand that not only celebrates his heritage but also makes his family proud.

StickerApp: Hi Damian, and congrats on being the September Artist of the Month! Do tell: Who is Damian Orellana, and what are some of your biggest dreams in life?

Damian: Thank you so much, I'm honored! I'm Damian Orellana, a designer and illustrator based in NYC. My family and Guatemalan heritage are a huge part of who I am. My biggest dream is to be a successful creative and make my family proud, especially those who have supported me along the way. Ultimately, I'd love to open a storefront that serves as a physical representation of my brand.

StickerApp: Awesome! When and how did your creative journey begin?

Damian: My journey began when I was a kid. I was always drawing with my head in the clouds and didn't have much interest in school until my last few years of high school. It was there, in the art department, that I learned traditional mediums like pen and ink, watercolors, and washes. That's also where I met my computer art teacher, Dr. Sheyda Ardalan. She introduced me to Photoshop and Flash, and with her encouragement, I started to believe that I could pursue a creative career. Her support pushed me to study graphic design in college and ultimately chase my dream of becoming an Illustrator.

StickerApp: Was there a pivotal moment in your career that changed everything?

Damian: My first year of undergrad was a huge turning point. I almost dropped out because I was frustrated with the programs and all the rules that came with design. I felt like I couldn't do it. But I'm a dream chaser, and I wasn't ready to give up. So, I spent the rest of the year really diving into the programs, and that's when I discovered Adobe Illustrator. It quickly became my favorite and most-used tool.

The app and career that I initially struggled with ended up being something I couldn't live without. It was a career-changing moment, and now I can't imagine doing anything else. I feel like I was made for this.

StickerApp: That's amazing! What drives you as an artist, and what advice would you give to new artists?

Damian: My family is one of my biggest motivators. My dad was an artist who had to give up his creative dreams to support our large family. I feel as though it's up to his kin to continue his legacy. Half of my family knows how to draw, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that most of us are talented in that way. I want to honor my father's legacy and share the story of our Guatemalan heritage through my work.

As far as advice goes: Don't ever doubt yourself. Doubt is the dream killer.

StickerApp: How would you define your style, and what are your favorite techniques?

Damian: I'd say my style is cute, fun, and colorful. I also love applying a technique where I keep the stroke weight the same throughout a design. I may have to adjust it a bit for scaling, but whenever possible, I try to keep it consistent.

StickerApp: Tell us about the design of your September Thank You card: What was your inspiration?

Damian: The theme for the card was "going back to work," which can mean anything from school to a day job or a side hustle. Keeping with my brand, I made my mascot, the bear, the star of the design, and shared some scenarios from the daily grind. These scenarios included a morning routine, a coffee break, the daily commute, working on the computer, and thinking about lunch, just to name a few. When I'm exploring ideas, I tend to avoid obvious themes. I like to let the viewer interpret the work in their own way first, as I think it's important to present ideas in a more fun way rather than the safe choices.

StickerApp: Why do you choose StickerApp as your sticker partner in crime, and how do you use stickers for your business and personal brand?

Damian: You guys make the best stickers of all time! The materials are excellent, and I love how they're on the thinner side. StickerApp has a fantastic range of different materials, which is perfect for my designs.

I have an online shop where I sell my stickers, but lately, I've been doing more in-person events like pop-up markets and conferences. I prefer selling in person because I get to see customers' reactions, and it feels much better to hand off a piece of my work to someone who loves it. I also use stickers for self-promotion, so you'll often see me slapping them around on the street.

StickerApp: What are your goals for the future?

Damian: Haha, I can't think too far ahead, but since I've been working on my shop, my main goal is to perfect my table setup. I'm always trying to figure out new ways to do this, whether by making a new sign or finding the best way to present my merch.

Thank you so much for chatting with us, Damian! To keep up with Damian, head over to his Instagram: @bigbeardamian.