Seed muse
VOL. 7
JASMINE DOWLING
Jasmine Dowling is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Brisbane. Known
for her romantic aesthetic and beautiful hand lettering, she was the perfect creative partner for
our Mother’s Day campaign this year.
JASMINE DOWLING
Jasmine Dowling is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Brisbane. Known
for her romantic aesthetic and beautiful hand lettering, she was the perfect creative partner for
our Mother’s Day campaign this year.
- GRAPHIC DESIGNER
- @jasminedowling
How did you approach the design for our Mother’s Day campaign?
With Mother’s Day, there’s always got to be a touch of femininity. I wanted the design to
represent the love we have for the women in our lives, whether that’s your mum or someone
who’s stepped into that role. I wanted it to feel warm, welcoming, and organic, and from
there it was about getting on the tools and finding what could best create that outcome,
which pens and paper would give me that sense of flow in the lettering. I wanted to keep
that imperfect, handwritten look.
There’s such a beautiful nostalgia to your designs – can you share some
favourite memories of your mum when you were growing up?
My mum, Debra, loves to host. She’s always in her element there, on people’s birthdays,
Christmas, anytime we’re having people over. She’s always been the one to create an event,
so I remember helping her with those things, setting the table, getting organised. We also
have such a special relationship with the beach. So many of our favourite memories are
there, going back to the same beach every year, running into the water. My mum is always
going to get under the water, no matter how cold it is. It’s a ritual. Nothing bothers us
once we’ve been in the ocean.
Your work is so feminine. Has this always been your style?
That really came in when I was at uni. I did a Bachelor of Design but it was mostly digital, and I felt
there was a lack of imperfection and the sense of soul that comes with that. That’s when I started to
bring in those analogue elements. I’m naturally drawn to feminine style, but sometimes it can feel too
perfect. With things like paints, crayons, and pens, it balances the look out to the point that it feels
true to me. I like things to all be in place but to feel slightly undone.
Were you a creative CHILD? How did your mum encourage you?
It’s funny how I’ve ended up doing so much hand lettering. In primary school, I had a notebook of all my
different handwriting styles and I would switch between them. My mum was a home economics teacher and also
had her own fashion label when I was really small. The house was always full of fabrics, trims, and
buttons. I’m sure I ruined or wasted a lot of them, but she never said a word about it. My mum created an
environment where there was always room for us to play. I was always so impressed by her. She has her own
creativity and her own pure talent.
Were you a creative CHILD? How did your mum encourage you?
It’s funny how I’ve ended up doing so much hand lettering. In primary school, I had a notebook of all my
different handwriting styles and I would switch between them. My mum was a home economics teacher and also
had her own fashion label when I was really small. The house was always full of fabrics, trims, and
buttons. I’m sure I ruined or wasted a lot of them, but she never said a word about it. My mum created an
environment where there was always room for us to play. I was always so impressed by her. She has her own
creativity and her own pure talent.
Are there any traits you’ve inherited from your mum that you think serve you well,
work wise?
She’s very certain about what she likes and what she doesn’t – she knows herself really well and I admire
that about her. I wouldn’t say I’m all the way there yet, but I really try and keep that focus and stay on
my own path. She’s also a really hard worker. That’s definitely been drilled into me, seeing her
independence, and she’s great with money, which was a huge help when I started out as a freelancer. She
knows who she is
You’ve spoken before about the importance of having personal projects on the go. Why
is that SO IMPORTANT for you?
I think it’s hard for a client to ask you to do something you’ve never done before. You have to keep
experimenting and pushing yourself. Nine times out of 10, personal projects do wind up leading to future
work. Creativity is a muscle. You have to work at it and keep pushing – that’s the fun of it.
What kinds of colour palettes are you loving at the moment? How would you describe
your personal style?
I am obsessed with blue at the moment, those tones have a true place in my heart. I also love a rich
burgundy and chocolate brown. I like to keep it easy in terms of style, a touch of femininity but always
comfortable. I’m drawn to beautiful fabrics and texture.
Read More
