Nikki Catalano is an illustrator and designer from Sydney. Originally planning to study graphic design, Nikki enrolled in Object, Art and Design at Sydney College of the Arts where she majored in glass. Whilst at Sydney College Nikki also explored photography, installation and ceramics. After completing her honors, Nikki decided she was hungry to learn more and that a life of glass blowing wasn’t for her.
“I then went off to the College of Fine Arts to study Digital Media where I studied all sorts of things like web design, sound, motion graphics, and indoor flash photography. Although I was and I am still interested in pursuing motion graphics I have returned to my drawings. I have tried many mediums to create in, yet I have always drawn, always carried my little diary around and jotted down random thoughts or ideas onto paper. I feel like now my illustrations have been given a stage and a splash of life with colour and textures.”
Nikki’s illustrations are influenced by the beautiful fairy tales she was read as a child, Japanese books & images, and her quirky imagination. “I have always been a great observer, especially the details in things. This is particularly true of the delicate and complex patterns I see in nature.”
“I love so many things that inspire me and I’m always looking around or hearing new things which become the seed of a new idea. I’m particularly fond of fabrics, I love their textures and patterns and i have begun incorporating them into my illustrations which adds a richness to the image. I like colours that are vibrant yet have a softness, a bit like old photographs or illustrations from old books, they have a lovely nostalgic quality.”
“It was my grandparents on my mothers side who lived in Japan during the 2nd world war and brought an appreciation of Japanese design and art. People often pick up on the Japanese influence in my illustrations. They make use of empty space and are intentionally flat however many of them include a delicacy, pattern and attention to detail. I like the balance between these elements.”
