illustratedbyniki - Tumblr blog

[illustratedbyniki]

This is an ongoing project, but one that is really special and close to my heart. During Covid, like many other people around the world, my dad lost his job. As someone who is in his 60′s, he felt lost and like he had to build back up from scratch. 

He was a service driver for a car company, but so much more than that to me. He’s a first generation immigrant from the Philippines, and he grew up in household full of chefs. That was always his first passion—food. I saw an opportunity for him to do what he loves in lieu of a “standard” career during this time. 

I floated the idea that he should sell his pork buns aka Siopao, they’re delicious & he’s been perfecting them the last year for friends and family. Reluctantly, he said no, out of the fear of making mistakes and not getting the response he hoped for. 

So I decided it was better to ask for forgiveness, rather than permission. I made him an Instagram, designed him a flyer, menu and stickers for potential packaging. I spent $30 on Instagram Ad’s and biked around my hometown stapling flyers onto wooden poles & placing them under car windshields. After 24 hours... It worked. We had 1 order, then 3, then we had fully sold out for the weekend. 

It’s been 3 months now, and he’s had orders coming in consistently 3x a week. He’s happy doing what he loves, and I am so happy to see him smile.

Although he’s a man who values stability, he thrives in creativity. I think he’s where I got it from. 

Instagram:@Siopao604

[illustratedbyniki]

Designed this event flyer for @spotify’s Asian Employee group. This was a discussion in collaboration with the incredibly insightful Psychotherapist, Ivy Kwong. We had an open discussion about model minority myths, ancestral traumas, coping with work life balance & ways to help manage anxiety and depression in the midst of Covid. Super honest & inspiring, and I’m very thankful for this opportunity. <3 

Designed on Procreate + Sketch!

[illustratedbyniki]

Commissioned Podcast Artwork for my coworkers and I! We all work together, now remotely and one way to stay connected during this time was to start a podcast using Anchor. 

We’ve only recorded one episode so far, but it’s been a blast getting to chat & laugh together about all things viral & what’s making us happy. <3 

Layout Designed via Figma

Illustrations via OpenPeeps

[illustratedbyniki]

Hidden Gems: Wellness! This was a cute lil project for hack week @spotify, an AI generated playlist to highlight podcasts in the wellness space. One of my goals was to design a small thing for Spotify, and it was featured in the app. Artwork by yours truly.