Inside the Whimsical World of Suzy Ultman

If you’ve been around Ohh Deer for a while, you’ll know that Suzy Ultman’s designs are pure magic. From her playful doodles to her whimsical sense of fun, Suzy’s creations always bring a smile.

And now, we’re beyond excited to share her latest launch with you. In this chat, Suzy takes us behind the scenes of her creative world, coffee in hand, paper everywhere, and gives us the inside scoop on her new designs. Whether it’s the art of the perfect doodle or her secret to staying inspired, Suzy’s got a way of making everything sound just as fun as her cards. So, grab your favourite drink, get comfy, and dive in to our chat with Suzy Ultman.

Hi Suzy! It's great to be chatting with you again.

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You’ve become a household name here at Ohh Deer! But for those who are new to you, can you tell us a bit about your style?

Hello, it's lovely to be back on the blog! I’d say my style is modern whimsy with a Suzy-wink.

We'd love to know what a typical day in the life of Suzy Ultman looks like?

I start my day with my hubby, a cuppa coffee, and 2 eggs. Then, I set-up shop in the dining room with its floor to ceiling windows. The light is amazing and I can watch the birds as I draw. 


My brain likes variety, so I include a mix of assignments in my daily schedule from drawing to writing to production to administration tasks. I also make time for creative play every day, exploring new ideas, doodling, or making.

What's your creative process like, from your favourite art mediums, to your studio and seeking inspiration?

My inspiration comes from a combination of life experiences, my family, travel, art in all of its expressive forms, and my love of nature. 

As an illustrator and crafty girl, paper is one of my best friends! We hang out every day. If I’m not drawing on paper, I’m working on projects with paper. I tend to save a lot of paper. When I flip through my collection, each little bit brings back a memory. It’s an ephemeral time machine. In an instant, I can be transported back to my teenage self, cutting and pasting a birthday card for my best friend.

We're super excited to launch the new age range cards you've designed for us. Can you chat to us a bit about the process for designing a range like that with our Ohh Deer Creative team?

The world of kids and kids-at-heart is a natural space for me. Combine that love with OhhDeer’s thoughtful and inventive art direction, and you get an organic and fun creative collaboration. I hope that feeling jumps off the page.

(We think it absolutely does, Suzy!)

What does a greeting card mean to you?

Since I was a kid, leaving notes and sending cards has been part of my love language. It gives me a lot of joy to spread a little happy, especially to those close to me. So, for me, cards equal love and connection.

We’d love to hear what you’re getting up to next. Have you got any special projects that you’re working on that you can tell us about?

Hmmm… this is a tough question, because I can’t talk about pending projects. I can tell you that I’m working with exciting new formats, and telling stories with brand new characters!

Sounds very exciting, we can't wait to see! Outside of work, how do you switch off?

I bake every weekend, love my yoga, play cards, birdwatch, and nap. Also, my family celebrates Shabbat every Friday eve, making a special dinner together and turning off screens and phones.

If you could give any advice to someone looking to start illustrating, what would it be?

Wow, we could have a long conversation about this topic! For now, I’ll give you my abbreviated list: Be you. Embrace your story, your strengths, your challenges, and your journey. Make plans, and try new things. Trust your gut, and build a support system that you can trust. Be curious. Ask questions. Put yourself out there and take risks — try to look at rejection and feedback as a path to learning more about yourself. Ride the wave when you’re feeling creative, and when you’re not, allow yourself time to refill and refresh. Follow your joy. Play!

We hope you enjoyed this peek into Suzy Ultman’s creative world as much as we did!

From her favourite art mediums to the inspiration behind her latest designs, it’s clear that Suzy’s playful spirit is woven into everything she creates. If you’re as excited about her new launch as we are, make sure to check it out here and bring a little more whimsy into your world. Until next time, keep doodling, keep dreaming, and most importantly, keep having fun with your creativity!

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