Monocle Magazine

Seven years a house contributor

It brings me so much joy to share some of the illustrations I did during my tenure at Monocle Magazine, seven years as a house contributor, from 2012 to 2018. This is less a breakdown of a project than me remembering my time working for them — and it brings back a lot to write these lines.

A cold email

Everything started with an email I sent cold. I showed some of my work for Winged Wheel, one of the most appreciated companies in Japan when it comes to stationery, and I sent it to Jay Yeo, never really hoping for a response.

The house of my favourite illustrators

Monocle was the house of many of my favourite illustrators: Satoshi Hashimoto, Luis Mendo, Kouzou Sakai, Ilse Weisfelt, Julie Guillem and Jess Jenkins, to name a few. So who would have thought that a young illustrator based in Amsterdam could even dream of getting in through their door? But maybe it was the right time, or just luck. I got a message back from Jay, who became my partner in crime over the next years, along with art director James Melaugh — who I ended up collaborating with again during his time at The Observer.

Midori House

I remember my first time visiting Monocle’s offices at Midori House in London, and then a short walk to drink some amazing coffee at the Monocle Café on Chiltern Street. The atmosphere was amazing, and everybody was so kind and generous with their time and their words towards my little spot illustrations.

Around the world in 80 dishes

Sometimes they trusted me to illustrate their Partnered Content. Looking at their Turkish Airlines × Monocle piece, I remember it was one of those last-minute requests with a very small window: I needed to create the illustrations while I was vacationing in beautiful Nice. Luckily I had brought my computer with me, but the wifi connection wasn’t the best — so it was a very challenging request, and absolutely worthy to be part of. And as always, the collaboration went down as smooth as muhallebi.

Years

2012–2018

Client

Monocle Magazine

Role

Illustration

Art direction — James Melaugh

Illustration — Orlando F. Ruiz

Art direction — Jay Yeo, Monocle

Midori House, London.

Around the world in 80 dishes with Turkish Airlines — the opening spread, illustrated dishes laid out on yellow Around the world in 80 dishes — dishes one to ten, from baklava and manti to döner kebab Around the world in 80 dishes — beef brisket noodle, Peking duck, sushi and a guide to chopstick etiquette Around the world in 80 dishes — bagels, clam chowder, pigeon pastilla and churros con chocolate
Around the world in 80 dishes with Turkish Airlines.
Monocle issue 52 — From Russia with laughs, a moustachioed performer balancing a microphone Monocle issue 51 — Outside the Box, shoppers queueing along a shelf of ideas Monocle issue 70 — two roundel illustrations of remote workers at laptops opening the Business Briefing Monocle issue 54 — editorial illustration for Tyler Brûlé’s transport survey, an airliner in flight over a turquoise field
From Russia with laughs (issue 52), Outside the Box (51), the Business Briefing (70) and a Tyler Brûlé transport survey (54).
Monocle issue 51 — Marching orders, a plumed soldier holding a placard on a red field Monocle issue 54 — Stole the market, a mink held up in two hands inside a dark oval
Marching orders — Poland (51) and Stole the market — Denmark (54).
Monocle issue 53 — Old boys' club, a figure standing arms raised on a stack of books lettered Liberte and Fraternite Monocle issue 53 — Lean machine, a diplomat holding out a money bag at arm's length Monocle issue 67 — a defence official ticking off aircraft and tanks drawn on a dark wall
Old boys’ club — France and Lean machine — New Zealand (53), and issue 67.
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