A creative portfolio is more than just a showcase of your craft. It’s a window into who you are: your interests, your passions, and your personality. It’s a way of telling a prospective employer — “Hey, I’m not only talented. I actually have interests outside of my talents, plus I’m a delight to be around.”

Jan Avendano’s design portfolio does all this, except in a much more elegant and creative way than whatever the hell I just jabbered about. So instead of reading any further, explore her portfolio. Delve into the talented mind of Jan Avendano. Then come back and read some more.

Layton Wu: How did you get your start in illustration?

Jan Avendano: I’ve been drawing since I was really young and have been ever since. Having some of my illustrations printed as t-shirts at Threadless.com was my first real introduction to the idea that illustrating and being creative could be more of a career than a hobby.

LW: Some of the work in the various illustrations section of your website seem so intricate. How do you start and how do you finish?

JA: I usually start by doing a really loose sketch so I get the overall shape and positioning I want. Then I’ll do a cleaner sketch that doesn’t have too much detail. Finally, I’ll trace over the cleaner sketch but this time, fill in the areas that need more detail. A lot of the times I never really finish them…they’re more for fun and I just really like drawing lots of lines, which usually translates into something with hair or fur.

LW: What do you do to prep yourself for the blank page?

JA: I play music, for sure. Then probably grab a coffee and go on the internet for a bit. It takes a while for me to get settled in. Then I’ll doodle for a bit before doing any proper sketches. I do a lot of music doodles (some of which can be found on my site) to get my wrist loose. They’re a quick exercise that has been really helpful.

LW: What do you do when the blank page is still blank?

JA: Leave it and do something else, even something as simple as walking around for five minutes. If you try and force it, it will look forced. It’s usually during these breaks that ideas come to me.

LW: What have you been up to lately?

JA: I had a screen printing studio for a short while and then moved my focus to freelance work. I’m currently working as a designer at an ad agency.

LW: What do you look for in good design?

JA: Attention to detail. It’s the little things that can really push something from being good to great.

LW: Who are your influences?

JA: I enjoy mixing the organic roughness of collage with strong geometric details. Some influences include Ray Johnson, El Lissitzky, Milton Glaser, Paul Rand, Charley Harper, and the Bauhaus and Constructivist movements.

LW: What do you find is the most rewarding thing about illustrating?

JA: The drawing process.

LW: What sort of things do you do to keep your creative juices flowing?

JA: I try to make sure I’m surrounded by passionate and creative people. They’ll keep pushing you to never be complacent or lazy and motivate you to keep exploring.