Jana Neumann
Q What do you do?
“I’m a multidisciplinary artist and graphic designer, creating large scale acrylic paintings and helping brands establish their visual brand identity.”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I have always been a painter, my whole life. It’s something that grounds me and makes me forget time and space. So I’ve always known that I wanted to do something creative. My work isn’t just a profession - it’s an extension of the self.
I studied design & communication in Hamburg, Germany, where I learned about what it takes to bring a brand to life and everything that comes with it. During my studies, I started freelancing as a graphic designer working in various different industries. With five years of experience across various industries, I bring a well-rounded perspective to the table.
My journey includes freelancing, agency work, and in-house design roles, all of which helped me to master the art of transforming ideas into eye-catching visuals. My expertise spans from branding to social media, print and web design.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I believe that my experience in many different types of industries helps me to understand my clients on a deeper level and provide a broader perspective and skillset. I live life with an open heart and get excited to try new things and gain new perspectives. I love working with different people and have a deep desire to make them happy and their brand successful. The same thing applies to creating my art. Nothing makes me happier than having people appreciate my art and seeing it in their homes.
Q What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on several branding projects, but also creating a series of large scale paintings for a future exhibition. I am also actively seeking collaboration with other creatives, branding projects or any type of design work.
Q What’s your style?
In my art I would describe my style as rich in contrast. I love playing with the duality between graphic shapes and patterns and beautifully painted realism. I draw inspiration from real life experiences and natures colors. I mostly see my art hanging in minimal spaces with organic shapes and colours. My graphic design varies in style as I always try to adapt to the businesses needs.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I’m really happy having my profession split between the digital and physical world, but my passion definitely most lies in creating physical artworks. I love getting my hands dirty and becoming one with the craft. So I would definitely like to expand more on evolving my art, while also working on branding projects that are in alignment with my values.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
As I am currently traveling full time, living between different cities it is really hard having a designated space to create and paint. I am looking to get settled in a beautiful space soon, where I can set up a creative studio. This also makes it hard for me to have a consistent online presence, as posting on social media doesn’t come naturally to me. I feel like the biggest part of being a successful creative is setting yourself up in a way that supports the smaller, daily habits, that make you move forward.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I would definitely hire someone to support me with posting on social media, as I know this is a really important part of being a creative person online. Having consistency in that field is something I really struggle with.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
If I could go back 10 years in time, I would tell my younger self to have more confidence in herself and just follow her natural instincts. It took me way too long to realize that I could actually do something real with my passion. For a long time I lived under the impression that this was only possible for other people and not for me.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Something I’ve been dreaming about for a while now is having some sort of mentor in the art world. Someone who is a few steps ahead of me and can give me more insight into the process of marketing yourself in the industry.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m always seeking opportunities in branding and web design, as I really enjoy doing those. My painting commissions are always open, as I love the collaboration aspect of creating art with and for someone.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My ideal client is someone who has similar values and interests to me, creating a brand/product I’m getting excited about. I’m not focused on a certain industry, but just love authentically creating something and bringing visions to life. I would also love to collaborate with another artist in the physical world, like having a gallery show together or even work on the same art piece.
Q What is your rate?
I typically charge around 1300-2000$ for full branding projects, but it depends on if it’s just a branding project or if it includes social media design and other branding assets that I provide. My paintings range from 800$ to 3000$ depending on size and materials used. You can find more detailed information on my website www.jananeumann.com.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Feel free to say hi! If you want to work with me, you can always email me hello@jananeumann.com or inquire straight through my website jananeumann.com.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Aileena Manja - a good friend of mine, who also splits her time between graphic design and painting. (aileena-manja.super.site)
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Life is all about balance! I try to find beauty in every moment. Inspiration comes when you least expect it.
This member profile was originally published in October 2023