“Illustration is not just about drawing, it’s about conveying a message”: Carmen Martínez, illustrator and student at LABASAD
Through her art, Carmen demonstrates how illustration can highlight realities and change our perception of the world.
Illustration is much more than a form of artistic expression; it is a powerful tool with the potential to change the way we see and understand the world around us. Carmen Martínez, a student of the Máster Online en Ilustración Editorial y Publicitaria taught in Spanish, is a clear example of how visual art can transcend mere aesthetic representation to become a vehicle for reflection, visibility, and social transformation.
From her earliest memories, Carmen felt a deep connection with art. “Since I can remember, I’ve always been a very creative person. As a child, I spent my time doing crafts and drawing,” she tells us. This love for drawing, which began in her childhood, was the seed of a passion that would define her professional career. “I remember thinking: I want to do this,” she recalls of her fascination with images she found on vinyl records, books, and magazines. It was this attraction to the visual that led her to pursue a career in illustration, a discipline that has allowed her to connect with her surroundings and, in turn, influence others’ perceptions.
The importance of illustration as a tool for visibility is a recurring theme in Carmen’s work. In her illustrations, emotions merge with the social, transforming her personal experiences into images full of deep meanings. “My personal experience influences my work a great deal,” she explains. For her, the most valuable aspect of art is the ability to convey those experiences in a way that others can relate to or reinterpret from their own perspective. Illustration, in this sense, is not just a form of expression but an open door to dialogue and collective reflection.
One aspect Carmen highlights about the power of illustration is its ability to influence how people perceive the world and social issues. “From a young age, we are shaped by films, comics, and video games. Illustration simplifies the complex, conveys powerful messages, and allows us to see reality from various perspectives, shaping our opinions on social issues that affect us,” she reflects. Through her works, Carmen aims to invite the viewer to look beyond the obvious, to question, and to think about the society and the problems that shape it.
This approach, which goes beyond mere representation, has been strengthened throughout her studies in the Máster Online en Ilustración Editorial y Publicitaria taught at LABASAD. Carmen joined the program not only due to her interest in improving technically but also because of her desire to learn how to use illustration more consciously. “Illustration is not just about drawing, it is about conveying a message,” she tells us. This change of perspective, driven by the knowledge she has gained during the master’s, has been crucial in her evolution as an illustrator:
“The Máster Online en Ilustración Editorial y Publicitaria taught has allowed me to focus my illustrations more consciously, significantly improving the quality of my work thanks to the teaching of my professors.”
Social visibility is a constant in Carmen’s work. According to her, illustration has the power to capture our attention and make us reflect on socially significant issues. “In the end, we do judge a book by its cover, and this applies to all areas of life. A picture is worth a thousand words, and illustration is present in our daily lives in ways we often don’t even notice,” she emphasises.
One of Carmen’s greatest achievements has been the integration of digital illustration into her creative process. Although she initially gravitated towards traditional techniques such as oil painting, graphite, and watercolours, digital illustration has offered her the flexibility and speed that editorial illustration demands. “I’ve incorporated digital illustration because it greatly facilitates the process. Delivery deadlines are usually tight, and it’s common to make a multitude of changes and adjustments,” she explains. This adaptation to new technologies, however, has not caused her style to lose authenticity. On the contrary, her style continues to evolve and reflect her concerns, reaffirming her belief that an illustrator’s style is not something fixed but something that changes constantly, just like people themselves.
Throughout her career, Carmen has learned the importance of staying true to oneself and one’s principles, a value she passes on as advice for other illustrators: “I would tell them to be themselves. We often fear being authentic and fall into the temptation of imitating successful illustrators, without realising that our true uniqueness lies in our tastes, quirks, and personality,” she expresses.
As for the future, Carmen envisions a path full of challenges and new opportunities. “I see myself doing what I love the most: illustrating. I want to continue improving professionally and take on increasingly bigger and more complex projects,” she asserts. She also hopes to connect more with other illustrators and share experiences:
“Illustration is quite a solitary profession, and I think sharing experiences, ideas, and processes with others in the same field can be very enriching.”
Carmen Martínez is not just an illustrator; she is a creator of visual bridges that allow people to reflect on their environment. Through her images, she brings visibility to social, emotional, and personal issues, showing that illustration has the power to change the way we see the world. Undoubtedly, her work continues to be an example of how art can transform not only those who create it but also those who observe it.
If you would like to learn more about LABASAD and our Master’s programmes, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. We’re here to help you take the next step in your professional career.