025- Lisa Tegtmeier
In the twenty-fifth episode of “The 13th Hour,” we are thrilled to feature a conversation with Lisa Tegtmeier, a freelance illustrator from Hamburg known for her bold and graphic digital drawings. Lisa’s work spans a variety of mediums, including editorial, packaging, and murals, showcasing her dynamic style across diverse platforms.
In our discussion, Lisa walks us through her creative process, from initial sketches and tracing to vector work, often experimenting with multiple colour palette options. We also revisit one of her standout projects—illustrating content for Lyft during the 2020 US election. Her work, aimed at encouraging voter turnout, was even displayed in New York’s Times Square. Lisa shares insights into her most recent projects, including a mural for Lululemon and an upcoming project supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Join us for this exciting episode of “The 13th Hour,” as we dive deeper into Lisa’s quirky, vibrant world and explore her journey as an artist.
1 - At 13am, we aim to celebrate and showcase a broad range of creative roles, disciplines and skillsets. How would you describe yourself and your role within the creative world to those unfamiliar with your work?
I’m a freelance illustrator from Hamburg, Germany. I create digital drawings in a bold and graphic style for international clients, spanning various mediums, from editorial works and digital campaigns to packaging, murals, book covers, and retail design.
2 - Another aspect that sets 13am apart is our commitment to diversity and representation among our artists. Could you share a bit about your background and where you call home?
I grew up as an only child in a tiny village in northern Germany. From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a pencil in my hand, constantly drawing, so it felt natural to pursue a career in this. After finishing school, I moved to a nearby city to study graphic design and spent almost half a year studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain. I later moved to the beautiful city of Hamburg, which I’ve called home for almost 10 years now.
3 - How would you define your artistic style? Has it evolved or undergone any changes over time?
I create dynamic, mainly digital artworks using bold characters, vibrant colours, and energetic compositions to craft my own quirky worlds. My style is constantly evolving, just as I am as a person. I always try to incorporate new elements into my work and experiment with new techniques, brushes, and textures. Although to outsiders it may look consistent and coherent—like a handwriting you can’t change too much—it’s a part of my identity.
4 - Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you transform an idea into a tangible piece of work?
When I have an idea, it often comes with a rough composition that I quickly scribble down. From that initial sketch, I refine the drawing further and further until the outlines become clear. I usually trace over these lines to create a clean sketch, which I then trace once again with vectors. At this point, the piece is almost finished, but I can never quite decide on the right colour palette, so I end up creating several options. I can spend hours fine-tuning the details until everything feels right. Recently, I’ve been trying to loosen up a bit by colouring everything in Procreate to maintain a more handmade look and avoid over-perfecting the artwork.
5 - In terms of inspiration, where do you go to find this? Who were your main influencers and inspirations as you were growing up?
Today, I often find inspiration in daily life, especially in pop culture and its trends. Sometimes it’s more of a vibe that inspires me to create my artworks, like places I go on vacation. For example, after visiting the Southwest of the US last year, I came home with a lot of new ideas. When I was growing up, I was very much into Manga, which probably had a big influence on my work.
6 - What advice would you offer aspiring artists looking to establish themselves in the industry?
Persistence is key. Don’t stop aiming for your goals and keep working. Eventually, it will pay off.
7 - Creative roadblocks affect many individuals in our field. How do you unwind and revitalize your creative energy? Are there any hobbies or passions you pursue outside of your work?
Unfortunately, I haven’t found the solution to overcoming creative blocks yet. I’ve been struggling with a few recently too. For me, disconnecting from social media and limiting my phone use helps immensely. It prevents me from comparing myself to others and their art. When I focus on simply living, I feel the creative juices flowing again. Observing the world and being present in the moment flips a switch in my mind and brings back new ideas.
8 - Reflecting on your career, could you share a standout project or collaboration that you consider a highlight? How did the opportunity come about?
A project that always comes to mind when I think of favourite collaborations is the one I had the opportunity to work on during the 2020 US election. Lyft, the US transportation service company, commissioned me to illustrate several artworks featuring diverse people using different modes of transportation, like bikes, scooters, and cars, to get to the polls. I got to draw what I love most: empowered, dynamic characters, combined with lettering and a vibrant colour palette. The highlight was that these illustrations were part of a digital campaign that was even displayed in New York’s Times Square—definitely a career milestone!
9 - Can you provide a little insight into your current projects and any upcoming plans you have in the pipeline? Is there anything we should be looking out for in the not too distant future?
I’ve just completed two amazing projects! The first will be out later this year in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, although I can’t share any more details just yet. The second was my first vinyl mural for lululemon at their new head office in London! I’m currently in the early stages of a few smaller projects that will feature my artwork on some exciting products. Stay tuned!
10 - What has your experience been like collaborating with 13am thus far, and what motivated you to join forces with us?
I’m thrilled to be part of the team. It feels like an exclusive community where everyone is truly invested in the project. I joined because I felt the team’s passion and enthusiasm, and I love being part of something everybody believes in. It’s incredibly motivating because the passion is contagious.
11 - Looking ahead, what would be your dream project or client to tackle in the future?
It would be a dream to create more large-scale projects in the future, such as murals or big billboards. Collaborating with a renowned brand to feature my art as a centrepiece of their campaign would be amazing. I’d also love to see my characters come to life as 3D objects or installations.
12 - To conclude on a lighter note, imagine hosting a dinner party where you could invite four individuals, living or deceased, who would they be and why?
The first to get an invitation would definitely be Hilma af Klint. I want to make sure she knows she was the true pioneer of abstract painting, not her male colleagues. While I’d love to meet Lady Gaga or Billie Eilish, I’d rather spend time with my grandma one more time.
13 - If you were granted the power of time travel, which historical event would you choose to witness firsthand, and what intrigues you about it?
I’d love to go back to the 70s to immerse myself in the hippie culture of LA or California in general. The clothes, vibe, and atmosphere of that era are just incredible. Seeing classic American cars and admiring mid-century architecture and design would be amazing.
