Anne Albert: ‘finding my style was a lot about asking myself questions’

Illustrator Anne Albert has carved out a distinct visual language that feels both playful and profound. Known for her bold shapes, limited color palettes, and graphic simplicity, she uses illustration as a tool to distil complex ideas into expressive, thought-provoking visuals. In this interview, Anne shares her journey from curious creative to editorial illustrator, reflects on the questions that helped her develop her style, and talks about working in Affinity, artistic influences, and dream projects.

Anne, how and when did you discover you that wanted to be an illustrator?

Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to express myself through art. I was interested in photography, drawing, and writing. I also sang and wrote lyrics for a band I played in, and wrote for our school band as well. At the time, I wasn’t quite sure which medium suited me best.

After graduating, I studied art and media science and quickly realized I wanted to create art myself. So I began studying Visual Communication at Bauhaus University Weimar. The course was very practice-oriented. In my second semester, I joined an illustration project where we had to design several book covers. One of mine was published, and that was when I realized I had a talent for translating stories into simple but striking illustrations. That success encouraged me to keep going, and I still enjoy working as an illustrator today.

What led you into editorial work?

Partly, it was my style that led me there. I’m not drawn to character illustration — I prefer using illustration to express an idea or an overall mood, rather than creating charming characters.

I genuinely enjoy working on editorial illustrations. Editors often show a great deal of trust, which gives me the freedom to develop my own ideas. Although the work can be challenging, I have a lot of fun creating quick ideas in short timeframes.

You have quite a distinct style. How did you develop it, and what are your key influences?

My style is always evolving, and I have worked hard to reach the point I am at now. But I do not think I will ever fully "arrive" at a final version of my voice, because I am always learning and constantly growing, both as a person and as an illustrator.

Finding my style was a lot about asking myself questions like: Where do I come from? What makes me unique? What do I like?

Beyond that, I have always been influenced by many things including music, nature, art, other illustrations, and graphic design. I cannot point to just one key influence. It is more a mix of my experiences, personality, and interests that has shaped my work.

Your use of size and dimension really stands out. How do you approach it?

Thanks a lot! This is also something I am constantly developing. I often look back at older illustrations and realise I am not happy with the proportions, and I start thinking about how I would approach them differently now.

It is a continuous process of learning and observing which dimensions work best for my visual language. I always try to find a balance between strong expressiveness and smart reductions.

Does your approach differ between creating editorial and commercial work?

Not really. As long as it is commissioned work, my workflow is more or less the same.

But there is a huge difference is between commissioned and personal work. When I work on personal projects, I tend to question myself much more. There is no set topic to work on and no deadline, so the process becomes more introspective.

Creating personal work is always about discovering the themes I want to explore. For me, it often comes with more self-doubt, but I also love it. It helps me understand what my style is really about and what kinds of stories I want to tell.

When did you start creating in Affinity, and what are your thoughts on it?

I started using Affinity in 2019 while looking for a more efficient workflow. I found it incredibly helpful to have both pixel and vector workspaces combined in a single application. For me, it makes everything so much easier to handle.

If you could illustrate for any publication, which would it be and why?

That is a tough question. Of course, there are some dream milestones that many illustrators share, like working for The New York Times or creating an illustration for the Google homepage.

One thing I would really love to do is make a picture book. I am a huge book enthusiast, so that project would be especially meaningful to me.

Who are your creative heroes?

There are many creatives who inspire me. I would not necessarily call them heroes, but they have been major influences.

I have been especially inspired by American graphic designers like Saul Bass, Bauhaus artists such as Gunda Stölzl and Alma Siedhoff-Buscher, and painters like Picasso and Matisse. I also admire illustrators from the former GDR, including Elizabeth Shaw and Manfred Bofinger.

I love the detailed drawings of Ernst Haeckel, and there are many contemporary artists I admire for their ability to create simple, striking work across a wide range of fields. Some of them include Olimpia Zagnoli, Zack Rosebrugh, Geoff McFetridge, and Hvass & Hannibal.

Are there any dream projects you would like to work on in the future?

I would love to see more of my illustrations in public spaces, such as on walls, or on products like rugs and dishes. As I mentioned earlier, creating a book is also something I really want to do.

Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring freelance illustrators?

Focus on what makes you unique, rather than spending too much time comparing yourself to others. It can be challenging, but this mindset will help you develop your own visual language.

Keep creating, stay consistent, and believe in yourself — but also be open to self-reflection and constructive criticism.

To view more of Anne’s work, visit her website, shop or Instagram.