Núria Just interview
"Also I like to design my characters that don't have a normative beauty.
I think it is more interesting and cool than drawing them looking standard."
Núria Just is an illustrator based in Barcelona, Spain. We spoke to her in detail about her career and her work.
Núria Just has worked on many client projects, including The New Yorker, VICE, EA Games, and Prime Video. Her work spans a wide range of fields, including festival imagery, product design, textile patterns and comics.
She says is influenced by visual culture such as MTV music videos, video games, anime, TV series, and manga, her work is characterized by vivid colors, charismatic yet awkward characters, and catchy compositions, sometimes woven with ironic or slightly bitter tones.
>> Artworks and merchandise available here
-What inspired you to start painting?
I have painted since I'm a kid. Suppose as mostly illustrators. Don't remember any time I wasn't drawing. I've always been attracted to visual culture, always: music videos from Mtv, videogrames, anime and tv series, comics, etc. So after high school my studies were related to that. Even If I studied graphic design, my focus was always illustration.
Plus, my dad is a karate teacher, he is always interested in Japanese culture, including manga. He teached me "Akira", among others.
- Could you tell us about your main works and activities so far?
I work on illustration's different areas: editorial, advertisement, comics. The one I enjoy the most is posters. Love to create some aesthetic that reminds you of movie posters, taking care of the graphic side. Like typography.
- Are there any experiences or sources of inspiration that have contributed to your current work?
My hobbies are my inspiration. And lately my latest trips to Asia. I found Korea and Japan really inspiring. Love how they pay attention to the packaging, the way they design products... Anytime I go to a stationery shop I really want to draw!
- Your work seems to be influenced by cultures such as comics, anime, and games. Could you share any specific works or cultural scenes that have influenced you?
Talking about specific pieces I have some in mind. About comics: Evangelion, Helter Skelter, Ghost World, PingPong, etc. Anime: FLCL, Evangelion, Karekano, Utena. Videogames: Bust-a-Groove, Jet Set Radio, Tekken, Final Fantasy.
- You seem to be close to the internet and meme culture. How do you relate to it?
It's an amazing world! It feels nowadays is a way to connect with people. You can express feelings and emotions via memes. Plus I have a kind of sarcastic and dark humor, so I relate to this internet culture.
- Are there any important concepts that are central to your work?
Friendship and sisterhood is always present there. But it is present in my life and it really matters to me. Also I like to design my characters that don't have a normative beauty. I think it is more interesting and cool than drawing them looking standard.
- Can you tell us about your plans for future activities?
I'm working on a comic for a french editorial. Also would like to experiment with other techniques, such as a figures and big format.
I think I have gained a deeper understanding of your work and background. Thank you very much.
>> Artworks and merchandise available here
Núria Just
Illustrator based in Barcelona. Graduated in Graphic Design degree at BAU (Barcelona) and a specialization in illustration, comics, and art direction, the portfolio spans across various areas such as editorial design, festival imagery, product design, textile patterns, and comics.
Her work is characterized by vivid colors, charismatic and awkward characters, and catchy compositions, the artwork often incorporates a hint of sarcasm and a subtly bitter tone.
Through her work with influential clients across a wide range of genres and her creative expressions, she conveys her unique worldview.