Creative Career Stories: Megan Du
Megan Du is a China-born, London-based artist with a vibrant and distinctive illustration style. Her work is full of clashing colours, feminist messages and fantastical motifs
Below, Megan tells us more about her creative journey so far...
How It Began
As a child, my parents regularly sent me to different classes to learn things like dance and violin but I was not very enthusiastic about any of them because all I wanted to do was draw. My early inspiration came from the children's books my father read to me; the beautiful illustrations in them left a lasting impression. I loved reading comics too and my favourite was Doraemon, whose magical props and fantastical travels fascinated me. I used to scribble on paper with coloured pens, recording my imaginary adventures.
Losing My Passion
I went to a very strict secondary school where the priority was to get good grades and we weren’t encouraged to have our own personalities or even hobbies. I found school boring because I had no like-minded friends. I was much happier when I visited the bookstore to buy picturebooks and magazines. The world of illustration was a haven where I could hide away from the real world for a short while.
While preparing for our art exam at school, we spent every day in the studio painting the same things with the same tools in the same style with the same steps. During that time, I would dream that I was a watermelon in a square box, being asked to grow into a fixed shape. Drawing no longer seemed to be an expression for me - it felt like a constraint.
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During that time, I would dream that I was a watermelon in a square box, being asked to grow into a fixed shape.
I went on to major in Graphic Design at university but, by this time, I had lost interest in drawing and was reluctant to put pen to paper. When I was faced with a blank piece of paper, my mind went just as blank. It was as if I had become a programmed robot who only knew how to draw boring things with a fixed technique. I avoided painting for a long time and almost gave up on it.
Things Took A Turn…
Things took a turn for the better in a class in my third year at university when I met an illustration teacher called Wang Ning. She brought in a lot of European indie publications, comics and zines, and I was fascinated by the colours, prints and textures. I re-experienced the tremors and joy that filled my heart when I read comics as a child - I wanted to draw something like that too!
At the same time, I met a good, like-minded friend called JJ whose passion for illustration infected me, and I started drawing again. I am very grateful to my Ning and JJ for showing me a bigger world at a stage when I felt lost.
Moving To London
I was eager to live and study in Europe, so I decided to apply to postgraduate schools abroad to continue my illustration studies in London. In postgraduate school, I focused on drawing and printmaking. I spent time every week in the print studio; the staff there even nicknamed me “Crazy Printer”. I will always cherish those happy memories.
My first job came from my undergraduate university tutor who asked if I would like to illustrate a project for his studio. He introduced me to some clients afterwards and I started working as a freelance illustrator. While still studying, my illustrations were featured in It’s Nice That and Creative Boom, and I started being approached by more clients such as Bloomberg Magazine and The New Yorker.
Managing Anxiety
Talking to people with more experience has been very effective in easing my anxiety about facing the future. I talk to and learn from my former teachers and close illustrator friends and they give me great advice. They remind me to keep going and enjoy the process to the fullest. If something gives you pleasure, don’t skimp your time and energy on it.
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