Rilla Alexander is an Australian illustrator and designer, a former Berliner, and Portland, Oregon’s, newest resident. Her cast of characters dance across Museo del Prado’s ceramics and stationery, populate Swiss Credit Cards and sleep on the walls of a Copenhagen hotel.
Rilla has spoken at design conferences from Tijuana to Tokyo and exhibited around the world including the Louvre. She has also published several books including “Neighbourhood” which features the collaborative efforts of over 30 artists reworking and remaking hand-made toys.
Although a very busy lady, Rilla kindly took the time to answer a few questions for us here at Flying Eye HQ.
So, Rilla can you tell us a bit about your influences.
My overwhelming influence and inspiration is my childhood, family and home; the bright bold simplicity of the 70s, Scandinavian textiles, Lego, Muppets, parents who built our home while I played in the dirt as a baby – but most of all making things together instead of buying them.
I also hold a very special place in my heart for Tove Jansson and her Moomins.
What inspires your work?
What I want more than anything is for someone I’ve dreamed into existence to sit in the palm of my hand (if they’re tiny) or let me sit on their lap (if they’re a big monster) and tell me their story.
Tell us a bit about your process….
Everything I see, hear or do is poured into my drawings and the result is almost like a diary. While I was making The Best Book in the World I packed up my apartment in Berlin, spent two months in Brisbane and found a new home in Portland, Oregon. So, exactly like Sozi, who reads her way around the world seemingly oblivious to what is going on around her – I had my nose stuck in this book the whole time.