Mike Koubou: The Artist Behind Our Favorite Animal Portraits

What’s your favorite part of designing, and why do you love it?

For me, it’s the process itself that I love the most. When I’m drawing, I can escape into my own world, a peaceful place where I can just let go and focus. It’s almost like meditation. I’m always experimenting with different styles and techniques and I’m not really searching for a unique style to be recognized for. That freedom to explore keeps me passionate about art.

Do you have a favorite design that you’ve created? Why does it stand out to you?

This is a tough question because each design I work on tends to become my favorite…until I start the next one! You can ask any artist, and they’ll probably say the same. However, if I had to choose a favorite collection, it would be my Humanized Animals series. I really love drawing wild animals and have a passion for vintage aesthetics, and that's why you see this result reflected in almost all my drawings. It makes me really happy to see how much people appreciate and love this collection too! It truly makes the creative process even more rewarding.

How do you celebrate when you finish a big design project?

After completing a big project, I celebrate by spending extra time with my kids. They’re my biggest inspiration, and being with them reminds me of why I do what I do. I try to teach them that doing what you love is the key to real happiness in life!