Timea Balo

Hi Timea! Tell us about yourself - how did you get to where you are today?

Hi! It’s been a bit of a winding path, but I’ve always just followed what felt exciting and creatively fulfilling at the time. I’ve been around in the creative industry since 2015. I studied Illustration and Graphics at university, which set me up for a career in design. After graduating, I worked as a graphic designer in a few agencies for about eight years. At some point I moved into printmaking and had a little online shop where I sold prints. In 2023 I decided to shift gears and focus on 3D motion and illustration, which had been something I was slowly getting more excited about. I started freelancing with 3D and used Instagram as a way to share my work and connect with others. It really helped with the transition, and I’ve been lucky to collaborate with some great people since making the switch.

When did you first become interested in art and design?

I studied computer science in high school and really enjoyed it, I was good at maths and coding, and I liked the logic behind it all. But at the same time, I found myself drawn to more visual things (mainly graffiti at the time). I spent a lot of time doodling and copying other artists and eventually discovered Photoshop, which opened up a whole new world for me. That’s when I decided to pursue graphic design and illustration at university.

How would you describe your design style and how has it changed over time?

I always describe my style as bold and playful. I've been drawn to bright colors and a lighthearted, not-too-serious tone from the beginning. Over the past ten years, the style itself has shifted and evolved, but that core sense of playfulness and visual punch has stayed consistent throughout.

What inspired you to go from graphic design to 3D art?

Along the way in my graphic design career I started experimenting with different mediums like visual coding, printmaking, and creative tech - just following my curiosity. That’s how I landed on 3D – it combined a lot of things I enjoy: the technical challenges, the constant learning, and the kind of visual output that honestly feels a bit magical. There’s something really satisfying about building something from scratch and watching it come to life in a way that feels almost tangible.

What’s your creative process like? How do you typically take an idea from concept to delivery?

I tend to overthink, so over time I came up with a simple method to keep myself from getting stuck in self-doubt or perfectionism. I start with the phrase, "Wouldn’t it be cool if..." and as soon as something comes to mind to finish that sentence, I jump in and start creating. I usually start with one idea and end up with something slightly different – I play and experiment inside the software and let that guide my work, instead of rigidly trying to bring an idea to life. I use this approach mainly for my daily explorations – things that don’t need to be overly polished or deeply conceptual, just a space to play and make without pressure.

How do you approach creative collaboration with your clients?

This is a bit different than my daily explorations. I start by understanding the client's vision, values, and audience, then bring my own creative lens to the table. Transparency and communication are key – I want clients to feel heard and involved throughout the process. It’s about finding the sweet spot where their goals meet my style, and building something neither of us could have done alone.

What’s been one of your favorite projects to work on so far? What would be a dream project?

A couple of years ago I worked with the lovely team at Canvas United on “Mighty Feels,” a playful campaign for HOKA’s first kids’ shoe line. It was such a fun project - I got to come up with the concepts to help launch the shoes, and really enjoyed collaborating with the team to bring it all to life.

My dream project is a bit of a personal one: I’d love to partner with Vans to design some limited edition shoes. They would definitely be colorful and fun. I’ve been wearing Vans pretty much exclusively for the past 15 years, so working with them would be a dream come true.

Do you have any favorite tools or resources? Where do you find creative inspiration?

I use Cinema 4D and Redshift for 3D, along with the Adobe Suite for design and editing. Inspiration comes from everywhere: architecture, photography, nature. Sometimes just a weird shadow or color in real life will spark an idea. I also love browsing platforms like Behance, Pinterest, and Instagram to see how other artists approach storytelling and form.

What’s one of the biggest career lessons you’ve learned so far?

It’s hard to pick one big lesson so I will bullet point a few important ones:

• Share what you make with the world, even if it’s not “perfect.” Nobody really cares that much.
• Do not overestimate how much people remember. Share your work often. It’s also ok to repeat yourself when creating/share the same thing more than once.
• Savings are a must! Net 90 is a thing and it’s becoming more popular by the day (that means the invoice will be paid in 3 months)
• Big clients will always have impossible deadlines - set boundaries and manage expectations!

What advice would you give to new designers and illustrators starting out in their careers?

This is a bit of a controversial one or so I’ve been told. My advice is quantity over quality, especially when you start out. Creating frequently and moving fast from one piece to the next helps you learn faster, experiment more, and improve your skills through experience.

What are you working on now and what’s up next for you?

I’m currently on maternity leave, so my creative work has slowed down quite a bit. When I do get time, I focus on experimenting and playing with new ideas. I’m not entirely sure what’s next, which is both scary and exciting. I’m gradually evolving my style and exploring new directions so I’ll see where I’ll end up in a year or two. In the meantime, I plan to open an online print shop and sell some of my 3D work as art prints, and also continue with teaching 3D art (insert shameless plug!) with beginner-friendly tutorials in Cinema4D and Redshift via my Patreon.

To view more of Timea’s work, visit her Website, Behance, or Instagram.

Timea was nominated by Noun Project. All artwork courtesy of Timea Balo.