In the world of creative careers, the pursuit of success often revolves around securing high-profile clients and amassing an impressive portfolio. However, Marcos Montiel, an Argentinian illustrator with a stellar reputation, takes a different approach. His career highlights are not defined by prestigious clients or iconic covers, but by the simple joy of seeing his work transformed into tangible objects, like a jigsaw puzzle. This perspective on creativity is a refreshing reminder that the process of creation is just as important as the final product.
Montiel's style is characterized by its retro, warm, and detailed nature, with small human gestures that bring a sense of realism to his scenes. His editorial illustrations have graced the pages of renowned publications like The Guardian, The Economist, and The Washington Post, but his true passion lies in packaging and product design. Montiel believes that a painting or drawing can transcend its static form and become a part of someone's daily life when it is integrated into an object, creating a unique relationship between the artwork and the viewer.
This philosophy is evident in his work for Monoblock, where he created a jigsaw puzzle that allowed children to assemble his drawing. The experience of watching a child's hands bring his artwork to life is what truly captivates Montiel. It highlights the power of tangibility in art and the importance of engaging the senses in the creative process.
Montiel's career has been shaped by his experiences in two distinct creative economies: Buenos Aires and London. He embraces the contrast between local Argentine work, which is rooted in custom and identity, and the international market, which leans more towards concept and editorial thinking. This interplay of local and global influences has given him a broader and richer perspective, allowing him to fuse everyday observations with abstract ideas.
This approach is particularly useful for creatives who split their time between a home market and global clients. Instead of viewing these two audiences as competitors, Montiel sees them as opportunities to sharpen each other's edges. The local market provides a sense of community and identity, while the global market offers a broader perspective and access to international clients.
In recent years, Montiel has shifted his workflow back towards analogue, prioritizing the author's hand and personal gesture. He starts with pencil on paper, then moves to line correction and color on an iPad, and only uses Illustrator and Photoshop for formatting and final files. This shift is a conscious decision to bring the human touch back into his work, which is especially relevant in the age of AI-generated imagery.
Montiel also emphasizes the importance of personal work, such as his popular stickers. He treats unpaid personal projects with the same seriousness and dedication as commercial commissions, believing that genuine and authentic expression is the key to a lasting career. He encourages aspiring creatives to produce constantly and share what they are genuinely proud of, understanding that identity is a gradual process built upon consistent effort and dedication.
In Montiel's words, 'When the mundane spirit speaks, detail is a universal language.' This mission statement encapsulates his approach to creativity, which is centered around noticing the small details that make life interesting. Whether his work ends up on a bottle label, a broadsheet front page, or a jigsaw puzzle, Montiel's passion lies in the process of creation and the joy of seeing his art come alive in unexpected ways.
