Stephanie Soden is recognized for her incredible ability to translate her real life experiences into hilarious and highly stylized comics. Though currently living in Florida, we had the pleasure of knowing her years ago while she attended SAIC here in sweet home Chicago!

         
  • 1. How long did it take for you to fully develop your style? How did it start? What major changes have you made?
Well if we want to go back to the dark ages (twenty years ago) I used to staple sheets of paper together in my Dad’s office and illustrate crudely made children’s books. When I was in grade school I had this dream of being the youngest, most critically acclaimed author of all time. I continued to make little books until I was fifteen– then I started drawing comics. They were about my friends, interests, and student life. What started on notebook paper has ended on the computer, digitally inked in Photoshop. From the start they had these HUGE eyes. And they just got bigger when I became interested in Anime (Japanese animation).          
  • 2. Do you work professionally?
  • I do! I work as a graphic designer in Jacksonville, Florida at Harrington Design Company. I design print materials, company branding, websites, create animations, and copywrite. I’m also a Membership Co-Director for the Jacksonville Chapter of the AIGA (Professional Organization for Graphic Design) and organize events for Pecha Kucha Jacksonville.
 
  • 3. Do you practice other art forms or only animation? Any particular reason why?
When I was in high school I had my video camera with me at all times. I made music videos to the timeless songs of the day (Linkin Park and Avril Lavigne) and decided that’s what I wanted to do with my life. But then I realized that being a film maker is really hard, and Linkin Park probably wouldn’t hire an 18 year old to do their videos. So I went to art school in Chicago and got to try a little bit of everything. Performance art. Figure drawing. Traditional illustration. Sewing. Installation. Painting- oils & acrylics. Writing. And yes, even film and video. I still draw every Wednesday with a group of local artists and comic-ers called the SketchUp. And frequently participate in gallery shows and competitions.  
  • 4. Who/what are you most inspired by?

Oh gosh. On a content level- my ridiculous experiences. I think everyone’s life is filled with funny moments. Those “Oh my gosh, you will not believe what just happened to me” stories. I think I have a lot of fun laughing at myself, and being honest about my awkwardness is kind of therapeutic.

One time a really mean guy hit on me at a bar. He called me lame, laughed at me, then walked away. It kind of hurt my feelings, but making a comic about it kind of re-wrote history and turned a painful moment into one I can laugh about.

From a visual perspective, I’m a big anime nerd. And it shows. I also watch a lot of cartoons for a twenty-five year old. Ed, Ed n’Eddy is fantastic. Dexter’s Lab influences a lot of my timing and humor. Ren & Stimpy with its randomness and violence. I could go on and on.

         
  • 5. How do your fans receive your work? Are you comics easily relatable to most viewers or do you have a specific niche of fans?
I think the stories are easily relatable. People comment and say that they’ve been stuck in train doors too, or mistook their car for another in the parking lot. I’d like to think that I cater to the bumbling masses– and just the folks that need a good laugh.
  • 6. How often do you work on your craft?
I’m always drawing little faces in the margins, but try to get at least one comic out a week. Attending weekly sketch groups with other artists has really helped that. Moreover, I’m very grateful that my profession is art (graphic design). And I get paid to do what I love everyday.
  • 7. What would you imagine yourself doing if you didn’t draw?
I don’t know, I’m pretty good with people. Maybe teaching. Or writing. Or panhandling.
  • 8. What do you hope to accomplish in the future. Is there a greater purpose/goal to your current work?
I guess there are the generic selfish things I want to accomplish. Being a great graphic designer and business woman. Becoming published. Continuing to have fun in all of the great creative communities I’m a part of. But I hope my work makes people happy. I hope someone can read my comics and enjoy them, because that’s what they’re meant for. I don’t think they’ll change the world, but they might make someone’s crappy day a little less horrible. That’s why I drew so damn many in high school after all. I’m horrible at thinking about the future, but yeah. Connecting with people and sharing something I love. I think that’s what every artist hopes for on some level.
  • 9. Describe what it was like to integrate your style with Little Brass Bird in episode 3.
First of all it was a big honor since I’m a super fan. When I got the script I about died. Combining their incredible, witty writing with my comics was a hoot. Taking this plush, 3D character design and transforming it into my style was challenging, but fun. Especially the expressions. Figuring out how to draw a soul being ripped from a chest was awesome too. I have to admit I’ve never drawn that one before. It was just a terrific script.

  • 10. You have one of our custom plushes, how is “little you” doing?
She’s GREAT! She guards my bookshelf and sits by my Little Brass Bird screenshots, windmill,  and illustrations. (nerd).
  • 11. Anything new coming up?
Aside from the usual controlled chaos of working on AIGA and Pecha Kucha events, hopefully putting together a “Sweet as Cinn” comic book. It needs a lot more stories added to it though. I have no doubt that I’ll do more dumb things to fill it up in the coming months.
  • 12. Anything else?
You two are awesome. Your show, and everything it stands for is awesome.  

Related posts: