Dorothea Kocsis is a Hungarian illustrator and designer based in Budapest. After studying and working across London, Madrid, Norway, and Budapest, she has developed a distinctive illustration style shaped by vibrant colors, rich textures, nostalgia, and a sense of mystery.
Drawing inspiration from her travels across Latin America and Scandinavia, her Eastern European heritage, folklore, mid-century modern design, music, nature, and traditional artisanship, Dorothea creates work that brings together the many places and experiences that have influenced her.
We caught up with Dorothea to learn more about her creative journey, what inspires her, and what she's currently working on.
1. What has driven you to be an artist?
Before becoming an artist, I worked as a graphic designer for different companies in London, Budapest, and among the fjords in Norway. While I loved that being a designer allowed me to work anywhere in the world, I often felt trapped in office environments doing work that didn’t always align with my values or interests. As an illustrator and artist, I feel I can truly be myself and express my own unique voice, and clients choose to work with me because of that. I’ve been quite lucky that every client project that has come my way so far has been a perfect match for both my interests and my style. I also feel that living in so many places and traveling has inspired me so much that I needed a creative outlet to pour all those experiences into.
2. What are you currently working on or excited about?
I recently realized how much I enjoy seeing my work on physical products that people use in their everyday lives, which is why I’m so excited about my collaboration with Denik. I also have another project launching later this year that I’m especially excited about because it’s always been a dream of mine: a pattern design project for a clothing brand I love. I can’t wait to see people wearing my illustrations!
3. Is there one person in your life who particularly inspired or encouraged you as an artist?
I’m the only artistic person in my family, among many engineers, so I feel lucky that I met people very early in my life who encouraged me to create. Both in kindergarten and primary school, I had teachers who really supported me. Now, almost 30 years later, I still think about that time often. It took me a very long time to return to drawing, and I only recently became an illustrator after studying architecture, communication and media studies, and photography, then working as a graphic designer for many years. I’ll be forever grateful to those teachers.
4. What’s one piece of advice that’s shaped your creative journey? Is there one piece of advice you’d give to new or aspiring artists?
I think the best advice is to follow your heart and your interests, and to share what you’re genuinely passionate about. Personal projects are incredibly important, they can attract like-minded clients and lead to dream opportunities.
5. What are 5 things currently inspiring you?
Basque Country: I just returned from a holiday in the Basque Country in northern Spain, and I found it truly magical. It had everything I love and find inspiring: the sea, rivers, mountains, lush green nature, fascinating culture and history, beautiful architecture, amazing food and drinks, art, and surf culture. I’m already planning my next trip back.
Figure skating: My obsession with figure skating started when I was a child and returned this year because of the Winter Olympics and Ilia Malinin. I became so hooked that I started an illustration series featuring figure skaters, and just a month later I traveled to Prague for the World Figure Skating Championships. I can’t wait for the next season to begin this autumn!
Traditional textiles: I’m currently in the process of moving apartments, and I recently rediscovered all the textiles I bought in Peru a few years ago. It made me realize that I’m still using color palettes inspired by the incredible textiles and vibrant colors I saw throughout Latin America.
Asian cinema: I’ve never been to Asia, but Korean, Japanese, and Chinese films and dramas have been a huge source of inspiration over the past few years. I love their color palettes and nostalgic quality. It all started when I saw Parasite in the cinema just before the pandemic, and I’ve been fascinated ever since. I’m hoping to finally travel to Asia this autumn, which also happens to be my favorite season.
Molly Berry, founder of Luna Zorro Studio: I’ve followed Molly’s work for a long time, and I’m constantly inspired by the business she has built supporting artisan women in Guatemala, as well as her incredible design sensibility and eye for photography and beautiful places. She’s made me dream of visiting Guatemala, and she was also the person who inspired me to travel to San Sebastián in Spain. Also, her photos and videos of Mexico City, one of my favorite places in the world, always amaze me and make me want to pack everything up and just move there.
6. Where is the best place to view your art?
You can check out my work on my website, dorothea.studio, or follow me on Instagram @dorothea.studio
Want to see more of Dorothea's work?
Visit: dorothea.studio
Follow: @dorothea.studio
