EVA KISS

A Sydney based creative gal pursuing great ideas and smarter designs that enhance the world and our understanding of it.

Who are you, what do you do and why do you do it?

I am Eva, a visual designer who works at ‘Republic of Everyone’, an agency that specialises in bringing sustainability strategy and creative to the fore of businesses and the mainstream. In my spare time I run the occasional beach clean up and have worked on campaigns to reduce plastic in our waterways. I love that I’m able to fuse my two passions of design and environmentalism, trying to make my corner of the world better with my actions and work.

What or who inspires you?

I am inspired by all of the amazing women I know in plastic-free/zero waste movement in Australia who continue to fight for our oceans, waterways and for the future health of humans and animals. I am also deeply inspired by how quickly humans can innovate and explore potential solutions with design and it gets me so excited for our future.

Tell us about where you grew up and how your childhood influenced your ideas about creativity.

I was lucky enough to grow up next to the ocean in Sydney, freely riding my bike in the afternoons after school, collecting seashells and exploring rock pools. My parents are both creatives, my mother is a writer and my father is 3D animator and musician. We moved to Australia when I was six so I’ve kind of seen myself as a fluid person who can adapt to whatever she needs to. I’ve always been in love with artistic expression. I did ballet for many years and I truly believed I would become a professional dancer. But then hormones happened hah!

Did the people around you encourage you to pursue a creative path?

My dad actually wanted me to become a musician and my mum thought I should perform too but high school drama performances made me feel nervous and awkward. I was also part of a choir for many years and I loved when a whole group of people working together created a perfect performance. I think I really didn’t enjoy the pressure of performance though so I began looking at other avenues. I went to an amazingly creative high school with incredible design and art teachers who demonstrated to me how to express deep thought and emotion through visuals and craft. So I guess the long answer to that is YES!

Can you tell us a bit about how you became a designer?

I started designing (very basic) websites as a teenager for fun. I didn’t have much technical drawing or crafting skill but I absolutely loved coming up with ideas and building concepts. I did 3 major works in my last year of school for Art, Design and technology and Drama and all them included some form of design and graphic play. I loved that I could bring whatever was in my mind into fruition and show the world. I also realised the power of Art to heal and inspire and the power of Design to transform the world. THIS and watching interviews with classic artists like Bacon and Whiteley made me realise I wanted to get into this world. I wanted to talk to those kinds of people on the fringe and make my mark like they did.

So I left high school and after a gap year of travelling the world I studied Visual Communications at UTS. While I was at University I did a subject about future thinking and the challenges we could face. We all were asked to find a ‘challenge’ around us and see how we could design it away in the future or address it in some way. One day as I was walking to the bus stop I saw a guy walk up to an overflowing bin and place more rubbish on top of it. He didn’t even blink twice and I just thought it was so strange that he was so okay with it. I began looking into waste as an issue and saw just how bad it really was. Once you see it you cannot unsee it. It was also such a tangible thing I could make a difference in so I began going to local beach clean ups, to events talking about sustainable practises and learning from these leaders. These heroines and heroes eventually grew to know me and they realised I could help them. I was a budding design student and they needed to communicate visually. I helped them pro bono as I wanted the experience and also wanted to help the cause and made lifelong connections. By the time I finished Uni I had jobs lined up for me from people who I’d already worked with. That’s how I become a designer.

What inspires you about your job the most?

That, despite the fact that nothing is original, you can still be surprised by new visions, ideas and technologies.

Do you feel that graphic design is a male dominated field?

When I was studying design at Uni, it was 90% women. When I began working in the industry I realised how quickly the dynamic shifted. I think it is shifting though as I’m reading more and more about female creative directors which is grreeeeat! I’m lucky that I work in a really niche part of the industry though, the sustainability part of it, which is most definitely dominated by women. But even though it’s mainly women, you notice that the leaders are generally men.

What are the most effective ways you’ve found to make a difference?

It’s a cliche but there’s a reason it’s a saying, right? Think global, act local. Live as gently as you can and try to spread light with your actions and behaviour. We aren’t perfect but can try. Keep being curious, exploring and make sure to LISTEN.

Find her or instagram @evakiss or on her fresh new website - www.evakiss.com.au