Jelly Presents: Eva Cremers
At the end of 2019 Jelly were fortunate enough to sign 3D character genius Eva Cremers to their Futures scheme. They loved her continuously and consistently fun style, her playful, graphic CGI, that combines with her unique design sensibility to create all her completely charming characters. Although more illustration-led, like most artists these days she’s experimenting with animation and how it can breathe even more life into her characters.
She has been featured in numerous publications, from It’s Nice That to The Design Kids and completed internships at shops such as SNASK and ManvsMachine. Pretty impressive from someone who originally studied International Business at university and has completely self-taught CGI skills.
Although she has always been creative, Eva tells us that she never really considered embarking on creative a profession. It felt much more 'normal' and expected to study Law, or something with business or medical science than to go for something ‘artsy’.
But right before Eva started studying International Business she was diagnosed with a burn-out at the age of 18. Determined to not let this affect her, Eva went to university to explore life as a student and live on her own. “It wasn’t a very successful approach,” she tells us “I slept through most of my days and I had to quit my studies after one and a half years.”
She then spent half a year questioning what she wanted to do with her life. She couldn’t imagine herself as a consultant or in an administrative role, which is when the lightbulb moment struck. Creativity beckoned. Having absolutely no clue what her Graphic Design course would entail, she applied for the Art Academy and got in.
In Eva’s final year of Graphic Design, all students had to do an internship. In true Eva style, she thought there was no point in settling for a local mediocre internship, she wanted to see if she could get into a badass design company. So she decided to go big and apply for her dream design studio: Snask. She did her research and read that competition for internships was fierce, so she had to come up with something to stand out. She also read that once they get a new client, they send a video with them partying and throwing confetti, to show to client how happy they are. Eva knew a cute letter wasn’t going to make the cut.
So what did Eva do? She sent them a massive super neon pink box (their brand colour), filled with all kinds of pink party goods: from a piñata to an inflatable guitar and pink flash lights among other stuff. Also in the box was a letter saying: “Congratulations, I’m your new intern! I’m looking forward to seeing your video showing me how happy you are”. It world. Eva worked at Snask for 5 months. “I learned so much and I got a big confident boost out of the whole experience. I learned that being brave and taking risks TOTALLY pays off," she says.
“I learned a lot and [I also learned] what might be the most valuable thing of all: I also learned what I didn’t wanted to do.”
After leaving Snask and graduating Eva, was once again faced with figuring out her next step. She didn’t have to think on this too long as she soon received an email from Man vs Machine asking her to do an internship with them. “I was very happy but confused at the same time,” Eva recounts “they are a sick 3D company and I had zero 3D experience.”
Her role was to be more art-direction based but she was told that some basic 3D skills would come in handy. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Eva subsequently spent about three months solidly watching tutorials, “pressing weird buttons, trying to learn as much as I could for so many hours each day”. Eva didn’t want to feel stupid working with these heroes and to not know what they were talking about. Little did she know this was the start of her own freelance career. She now works 100% in 3D but says her graphic design background still really helps her.
During her time at Man vs Machine Eva says she learned a lot and what might be the most valuable thing of all: she also learned what she didn’t want to do. Although being a very sociable person who loves to have people around her, Eva learned early on that she wanted to go freelance to be in control over what she would create. She also learned she never wants to live in London again, ” I guess I had bad luck, but boy, sleeping on 4 wooden cabinets in different heights with a mattress on top isn’t the best thing ever!” Eva – we can only apologise for the ridiculous rent prices in London!
Inspired by old Disney and Harvey comics, kids toys and generally anything positive and fun, Eva says, “in an era of everyone sharing and shouting their (sometimes negative) opinions on social media, I really love to make work that is just fun to look at and brightens your day, without a (hidden) meaning.” This has led her to work with some impressive clients already, from Bloomberg to The New York Times, and Jelly London, which represents her, think she’s only just getting started.
“My work is playful, fun and bold! Nothing serious to see here baby!”
Like many artists, Eva has a list of brands she would love to work with, such as Nike (kids), MTV and more fun kids-oriented brands like Disney. She has just recently ticked the Apple box and says she's only just now landed back from cloud nine. But for Eva it’s more about the brief and the project and what kind of people you work with: “There is something exciting about the ‘not knowing’. One day you might think it’s going to be a quiet month, next day you get an email with a super fun project. I love the unpredictability!”
Eva’s off to the USA for a few months this year for a road trip (lucky thing). She was at first hesitant about combining travel and work, as she doesn’t want to take a step back from her fast growing career, “it might sometimes be very challenging and it will definitely be a test on how disciplined I am, but I’m positive this could be a perfect match!”
Despite this, she has set her sights high for 2020. “Work-wise I really would love to give a talk at a design event/festival! In terms of projects, obviously I want to work with big fun brands, but I’m going to let it be a surprise. Another goal is to get a more healthy work rhythm, trying to be flexible but not working every day and night! In personal life my goal for 2020 would be to spend more time with friends and family and try to stay happy and healthy! Man I really need to start working out…”
She’s already got some exciting projects coming up this year, which she can’t give too much information for now but let’s just say late summer you might be able to wear one of Eva’s creations… watch this space.
