Unlocking creative income with Ilona Repkina

Turning art into creative income is something many designers aspire to — and Ilona Repkina has done just that.

Our Kittl community is overflowing with diverse talent, ways of working, and creative perspectives — and we’re excited to be able to share them with you.

Today, get to know Ilona Repkina, a Ukrainian designer and artist who specializes in pattern design. IIona currently works out of her home studio in Kyiv.

She specializes in bespoke design that feels anything but commercial, despite having found success showcasing and selling her work on online marketplaces.

We caught up with her to learn more about her journey, how she balances self-initiated projects with designing for demand, and her tips for unlocking income as an artist. More after the jump.

Meet Ilona

Hi Ilona, introduce yourself to the community!

I’m Ilona Repkina, a pattern designer, watercolor and graphic artist. I’m from Ukraine. I was born in Kyiv and I live in Kyiv, and I work from my home studio. I have two kids and a husband (who’s also a graphic designer).

How would you describe your illustration style?

Bright, festive, maybe floral and ornamental. I create celebration milestones, so designs to brighten up everyday people’s lives and make the world more positive.

I can create in different styles, but my main ones are black-and-white line art graphics and floral watercolors. I don’t like when someone tells you that you have to have only one main style.

I believe that every person has the ability to create in a variety of styles.

What’s your favorite theme or subject to illustrate? How does Kittl fit into your workflow?

As a commercial designer, I choose themes based on demand, trends, or hot keywords that people are typing in search. Personally, I love illustrating the dynamic lines of nature. Lines inspire me a lot.

I love Kittl’s AI features, they are truly amazing! I especially adore generative styles. Kittl AI can create very realistic line art graphics.

You mentioned you’ve been in the creative industry for 10 years, which is huge. But you don’t actually consider yourself a freelancer. Say more?

Yes, you’re right. I don’t like to freelance, that’s why I work only with microstock platforms and marketplaces where you don’t have contact with customers directly.

How did you build your business?

I create three main types of digital assets: elements, designs, and patterns. And I have five main places I sell them. The “secret” is combining these assets to sell on as many platforms as I can.

For example: I sell individual elements on microstock, but I also create designs with these elements and sell them on marketplaces. I can also combine elements into a seamless pattern, and sell those patterns on Spoonflower.

Some designs work best for POD (Print on Demand), where I sell my designs on goods: t-shirts, posters, calendars, etc.

Let’s say you’re working on a project and you feel creatively blocked. What’s your go-to routine for getting back into your creative flow?

You will laugh: I clean up my computer. When I open folders with previous designs, I always find something interesting, either some theme that I want to continue, or files that are not uploaded to all platforms.

It’s an endless process of creating, uploading, designing and redesigning. Cleaning work device and uninstalling unused apps, can also remove distractions at work.

You can check quick tips how to uninstall programs on Mac here.

If I have no motivation to draw, I go to Pinterest and promote my designs. That’s also a very important part of my workflow.

What inspires you?

My kids find inspiration for me! They are catching trends faster than me, so I just spend time with them and end up coming across something interesting.

I also have a lot of inspiring, talented people around me, including my close friends. As I mentioned, my husband is also a professional designer. His style is totally different from mine and allows me to see things in new ways.

Any creatives we should be following?

I know, you want me to say some names. Currently, I follow a lot of fine art artists. Two Ukrainian women: Lilit Sarkisian who paints with acrylic, and Delnara El, a watercolor artist.

In the design sphere, I adore Maggie Enterrios – she draws amazing colorful line art patterns on her iPad with Procreate. Her designs are so detailed! You definitely have to see her work!

Thank you, Ilona!