profile / alumni / illustration
December 19, 2017
Writer: Jamie Wetherbe
From Risk To Rihanna: Meet Fashion Illustrator Alum Bijou Karman
ArtCenter: What are you working on right now?
Bijou Karman (BFA 14 Illustration), Artist and illustrator: I’m working on paintings for an upcoming solo show at Nucleus Portland.
Don’t worry about finding your style while in school. It’s a time for experimentation.
AC: How do you define success?
BK: Being happy and not having to worry about money.
AC: Do you have any superstitions?
BK: No.
AC: What’s the design cliché you’re most tempted to use?
BK: Pretty face against a plain background.
AC: What’s the one tool you can’t do without?
BK: Paintbrush.
AC: What’s the first site you look at when you open your computer in the morning?
BK: Gmail.
AC: Where do you go (online or offline) when you’re taking a break?
BK: Instagram.
AC: You created illustrations of Rihanna for her clothing campaign with Stance Socks and she shared your work on social. How would you describe the experience in three words?
BK: Exciting, opened doors.
AC: What does social media provide artists?
BK: Exposure and a chance to create an image for yourself.
AC: What do you do to detox from media and screens?
BK: Reading and yoga.
AC: If you could trade jobs with anyone for a day who would it be?
BK: A singer like Kathleen Hanna who goes up on stage and performs without fear.
Alumni Q&A
Submit the Alumni Q&A questionnaire to share your story. We want to hear about your accomplishments, what you're working on and your advice for future ArtCenter students.
AC: What book is on your bedside table?
BK: “Hold Still,” Sally Mann’s memoir.
AC: Who are the most interesting artists and designers working today
BK: A few I love are Daniel Clowes, Kaye Blegvad and Jules de Balincourt.
AC: What’s your most prized possession?
BK: My hard drive containing all my work.
AC: Where is your happy place?
BK: In my studio, working.
AC: What’s your best piece of advice for an ArtCenter student interested in following your career path?
BK: Take as many classes with teachers you admire while you have the opportunity. Don’t worry about finding your style while in school—it’s a time for experimentation. And put your work out there online even when in school because you can start to get jobs and build a client base before graduating if the right people see it.
