Malika Favre is a bold, geometric illustrator known for her striking use of color and minimalism.

Illustration of a jungle with colorful birds by Malika Favre.

Illustration of two people kissing by Malika Favre. The image is styled in bold red, black, and white shapes.

Cover of The New Yorker magazine featuring an illustration of a woman with an umbrella by Malika Favre.

Abstract illustration of a person in a large hat reading on a striped beach towel in vibrant red, blue, and turquoise tones.

Artwork by Malika Favre depicting minimalistic bold red lips with a black beauty mark.

Malika Favre is a French artist based in Barcelona. In 2011, Malika launched her own business as an independent illustrator and artist. Her unmistakable style brought her clients like The New Yorker, Apple and Penguin Books, and many others.

Her bold, minimal style – is a striking lesson in the use of positive/negative space and colour. Her work always springs from a strong narrative core and is intended to provoke the imagination – with a bit of humour, a touch of sexiness, and a re-imagination of the ordinary.

The governing principle in all of Malika’s work is ‘less is more.’

Bold, minimal, colorful: The design tales of illustrator Malika Favre

<a href="https://www.malikafavre.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Malika Favre’s</a> art is all about humor, re-imagining the ordinary, and a touch of sexiness. The illustrator gained attention with her extensive use of bold colors, and minimal style, achieved popularity with her Alphabunnies and took the scene’s hearts by storm by empowering women through her art. In our interview, Malika Favre speaks about sources of inspiration for her distinctive style, the female body, and choosing the perfect colors for her work. 

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You are quite the industry legend and create illustrations that are unmistakably you. What has influenced your distinctive style? 

Developing my style was a long and organic process. It was a bit like: “The more I practiced, the luckier I got.” I think that my illustrative style today is a sum of a few of my big crushes (Bauhaus, Bridget Riley, Rene Grau, Op art and Esher in particular, Pop Art, Saul Bass…) and many little things that I was exposed to growing up. I reckon the latter ended up influencing me on a deeper level somehow: My love for science and geometry, my mum’ s obsession with colorful objects, Paris, the 1000 movies I watched as a kid, and so on. The way I draw today and the decisions I make are the sums of all these parts.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-22447 size-full" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733-3-e1643040626594.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="512" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733-3-e1643040626594.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733-3-e1643040626594-700x358.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733-3-e1643040626594-768x393.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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You define your work “Alphabunnies” as your breakthrough moment. What made that project so special that it shaped your following works?
This piece was a breakthrough in the sense that it was the first-ever piece of illustration that I felt was truly mine. For the first time, I had managed to mix what I love about graphic design and its visual simplicity with the essence of the pencil sketches that filled my sketchbooks for years. When finishing Alphabunnies I really felt I was onto something exciting and new. It later led to the Kama Sutra alphabet of course but on a broader level, it shaped how I approach illustration up to today: by paring shapes down to a minimal and telling complex stories with very few elements.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22448" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_1.png" alt="" width="1000" height="733" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_1.png 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_1-700x513.png 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_1-768x563.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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Is there a mission to your work that is driving you to push further?
Beauty, in the deep sense of the term, is at the center of my work and I believe it is a very powerful way to connect with people, no matter their background, education or culture. 
There is no big mission as such, or not a conscious one at least, to what I do. I just love drawing and telling stories that matter to me. Seeing my work resonate with a broad range of people and empower other women is what truly motivates me.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22449" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_2-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="733" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_2-1.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_2-1-700x513.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_2-1-768x563.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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The female body and its curves are a reoccurring topic in your work. What makes these motives so interesting to visualize?
It goes back to this idea of beauty, really. Women as a theme have always been at the core of my work. I just love the curves, strength, and sensuality of the female body. This fixation comes from my childhood and never left me. Drawing women has always been a way for me to understand my own body and to learn to love it. These women are never decorative, they are independent, daring, powerful and the heroines of their own story.
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Bold colors, especially red and blue, are essential for your art. How do you choose the colors for each artwork?
That is a bit of a mystery. I absolutely love the red and blue combination as it creates a visual clash. Kandinsky described it as plunging a “red-hot iron in cool water” and this is exactly why I love this combination so much. We could say these are my default colours but not the only palette I use in my work. Choosing colors is a very intuitive process for me. I just go with what feels right and it adds to the story. I see color as a strong narrative tool.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22450" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_3.png" alt="" width="1000" height="733" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_3.png 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_3-700x513.png 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_3-768x563.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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 You started working as an independent illustrator back in 2011. How has that step affected your creativity? Have you become more creative ever since quitting your 9-5 job? 

When I decided to quit my 9-5, all of a sudden I truly felt free and fully in charge of my life, which was the goal all along. I think I was meant to work for myself so it came very naturally to me and I never looked back. That being said, my job at Airside was pretty cool for a 9-5 job: a lot of creative freedom, great clients, and even greater colleagues. It was kind of a halfway house haha. 
I left because I wanted to rule my work (and life) on my own terms, choose my clients, decide when to say yes and when to say no, take as many holidays as I wanted. It meant a lot of hard work and patience but I eventually got there. I don’t know if leaving improved my creativity but it sure improved my sense of freedom.
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Your art adorns several magazine covers, like Vogue, The New York Times, or the New Yorker Magazine. Does a big commission like this affect your usual creative flow in any way? 

Editorial covers are a big part of my creative flow these days and actually are my favorite type of project. When creating editorials, I can be more creative and spontaneous compared to when working for commercial clients. Creating a cover for a publication is like doing gymnastics: it often requires thinking fast and being quick on your feet. But taking the risk, is extremely rewarding, in my opinion.
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Which one has been your favorite cover art so far? 
Probably the “Operating Theatre” cover I did for “The New Yorker”. We received an overwhelming response and actually sparked a viral movement. Another favorite of mine was “Start your engines” for Arab News as the theme was very personal to me.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22453" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_4-2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="733" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_4-2.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_4-2-700x513.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_4-2-768x563.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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Where do you keep on finding inspiration?
Making sure to spend enough time actually living my life outside of work. And traveling is a big source of inspiration for me as well.
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Creative work is known to be accompanied by a lot of doubt. Do you think self-doubt is necessary in a way in order to create something extraordinary?
Self-Doubt is inherent for any creative self, I think. It probably prevents us from turning into arrogant divas but it’s also important to believe in yourself or else you might get stuck.
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How do you overcome creative blocks?
I sleep on it. It usually works.
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What is your advice for aspiring creatives and artists, who are just getting started in the industry?
Be patient, trust the process, and put in the work. Oh, and also be nice to people!
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22454" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_5-2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="733" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_5-2.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_5-2-700x513.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_5-2-768x563.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
If you could change anything about the creative industries, what would it be?
I would empower risk-takers when it comes to making decisions (rather than leaving it in the hands of marketing teams).
What will the future of illustration look like?
No bloody idea. I am not one for predicting what comes next 😉
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-22455" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_6-2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="733" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_6-2.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_6-2-700x513.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1000x733_6-2-768x563.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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Malika Favre is one of our headliners at <a href="https://forward-festival.com/berlin/overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Forward Festival Berlin 2022</a>, where she will share more about her creative process and her current projects.

IN CONVERSATION WITH MALIKA FAVRE

Highly sought after: Malika Favre’s monograph now in 3rd edition

<a href="https://forward-festival.com/speaker/malika-favre" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Malika Favre&#8217;s</a> monograph has hit it&#8217;s <a href="https://shop.malikafavre.com/collections/all-products/products/artbook-third-edition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">third edition</a> after only 3 years since being published. We invite you to take a closer look at her iconic work after meeting her in Berlin at Forward Festival.

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In her own words, Malika said her work &#8220;almost like a mix of pop art and op art. A lot of very strong colors blended with quite a minimalist style.&#8221; Her work is continuously published in a variety of magazines like Vanity Fair, The New Yorker or The Washington Post, among others.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-30610" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NY210927_Favre_STYLE_CVN_Stripes_sRGB-733x1000.jpg" alt="" width="733" height="1000" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NY210927_Favre_STYLE_CVN_Stripes_sRGB-733x1000.jpg 733w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NY210927_Favre_STYLE_CVN_Stripes_sRGB-1466x2000.jpg 1466w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NY210927_Favre_STYLE_CVN_Stripes_sRGB-513x700.jpg 513w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NY210927_Favre_STYLE_CVN_Stripes_sRGB-768x1048.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NY210927_Favre_STYLE_CVN_Stripes_sRGB-1126x1536.jpg 1126w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NY210927_Favre_STYLE_CVN_Stripes_sRGB.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 733px) 100vw, 733px" />
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-30611" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/OP_all-1000x1000.gif" alt="" width="1000" height="1000" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/OP_all-1000x1000.gif 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/OP_all-700x700.gif 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/OP_all-768x768.gif 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/OP_all-400x400.gif 400w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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Malika has created book covers for publishing houses like Penguin Books and has collaborated with fashion brands like Couronne. In addition to her commercial work, the artist and illustrator realizes personal projects and offers prints of her artworks in her <a href="https://shop.malikafavre.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Onlineshop</a>.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-30615" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image1-1000x799.png" alt="" width="1000" height="799" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image1-1000x799.png 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image1-700x560.png 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image1-768x614.png 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image1.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-30616" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image16-1000x667.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image16-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image16-700x467.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image16-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Couronne_image16.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
Over the years, she has developed a unique and distinguished style and became one of the most influential illustrators of our time. However, Malika stays down to earth and believes in &#8220;living before anything else&#8221;.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-30613" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GR_2-1000x1000.gif" alt="" width="1000" height="1000" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GR_2-1000x1000.gif 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GR_2-700x700.gif 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GR_2-768x768.gif 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GR_2-400x400.gif 400w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-30614" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Esquisses_03-1000x1000.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1000" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Esquisses_03-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Esquisses_03-700x700.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Esquisses_03-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Esquisses_03-400x400.jpg 400w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Esquisses_03.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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Her first educational path, mathematics and physics, still impacts her style: a love for geometry and a sensitivity for color combinations become visible in her well composed creations.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-30612" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Bigger_splash_newyorker_1-1000x629.png" alt="" width="1000" height="629" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Bigger_splash_newyorker_1-1000x629.png 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Bigger_splash_newyorker_1-700x441.png 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Bigger_splash_newyorker_1-768x483.png 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Bigger_splash_newyorker_1.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-30617" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VF_montres_3-739x1000.jpg" alt="" width="739" height="1000" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VF_montres_3-739x1000.jpg 739w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VF_montres_3-1477x2000.jpg 1477w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VF_montres_3-517x700.jpg 517w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VF_montres_3-768x1040.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VF_montres_3-1134x1536.jpg 1134w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/VF_montres_3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 739px) 100vw, 739px" />
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In the 3rd issue of our print magazine, which you can get <a href="https://shop.forward-festival.com/collections/our-latest-products/products/forward-magazine-digitaleyes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>, you can read an exclusive interview with Malika Favre. We spoke about the beauty of analog media, how to find balance in your creative career and the advice she would give her younger self. In addition to to this conversation, the digital eyes issue features conversations with Oliviero Toscani, Jessica Walsh, Roger Ballen and more.
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<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-30618" src="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lips1_9d763414-d3ef-4792-8510-dd3be0ed3084-1000x1000.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1000" srcset="https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lips1_9d763414-d3ef-4792-8510-dd3be0ed3084-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lips1_9d763414-d3ef-4792-8510-dd3be0ed3084-700x700.jpg 700w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lips1_9d763414-d3ef-4792-8510-dd3be0ed3084-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lips1_9d763414-d3ef-4792-8510-dd3be0ed3084-400x400.jpg 400w, https://cms.forward-festival.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lips1_9d763414-d3ef-4792-8510-dd3be0ed3084.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px" />
Image Credits:
© Malika Favre

MALIKA FAVRE'S MONOGRAPH NOW IN 3RD EDITION

RELATED SPEAKER

Kelly Anna on the art of Illustration at Forward Festival Berlin 2025!

An illustration of a woman balancing on another woman, likely her mother.

KELLY ANNA

Kelly Anna&#8217;s Journey: Prints, Murals, and Global Collaborations.
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Kelly started out her early years as a dancer and gymnast. Going onto study Fashion Illustration and print design for apparel and footwear before taking the leap to go freelance.
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Over the last few years Kelly has designed trainers, painted huge murals, curated exhibitions, embellished your favourite popcorn, and even painted a football pitch.
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Her success has been solidified by the collaborations she has worked on, from designing two collections with Nike, working with numerous clients such as BMW, Penguin, NFL and so many more to having her prints worn by the likes of Beyonce and Justin Timberlake. Alongside her work, Kelly has spoken at 18 of the biggest Art &amp; design festivals across the globe.
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Kelly will speak at the Forward Festival Vienna in October. Next to her, you will be able to hear Creatives like <a href="https://forward-festival.com/speaker/snask" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SNASK</a>, <a href="https://forward-festival.com/speaker/publicpossession" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PUBLIC POSSESSION</a> and many more.

Artwork by Nikita Diakur showing an abstract animal with long tongue and a blue and pink surreal background.

NIKITA DIAKUR

MALIKA FAVRE

Pop Art X Op Art: A love story created by Malika Favre.
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Malika Favre is a French artist based in Barcelona. In 2011, Malika launched her own business as an independent illustrator and artist. Her unmistakable style brought her clients like The New Yorker,  Apple and Penguin Books, and many others.
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Her bold, minimal style – is a striking lesson in the use of positive/negative space and colour. Her work always springs from a strong narrative core and is intended to provoke the imagination – with a bit of humour, a touch of sexiness, and a re-imagination of the ordinary.
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The governing principle in all of Malika’s work is ‘less is more.’
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Her lecture will dive into her personal relationship to Illustration since childhood up to today, exploring the defining moments but also the doubts and crisis she went through along the way.

MALIKA FAVRE

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