There’s not much Tatiana Arocha can’t do. Colombian native and New York-based graphic designer, Arocha’s illustrations, photographs and designs have been featured on the cover of magazines, on big-name apparel brands like Burton Snowboards, and in dozens of books. Despite her busy schedule, we were able to ask Arocha some questions regarding her design aesthetic.

two.one.five: Designer, illustrator, photographer, director, graphic designer - you've got a lot of job titles.  What medium did you start in and how did you phase into others?
TA: I’m from Colombia, and I went to school there. The program that I did was for graphic design but it had a very strong illustration department. The idea of the program was to train us really well in all the areas so that when we would get out of school we could branch into many fields. The only weak aspect at that time at school were the computers, which were old and useless, and that’s one of the reasons why I ended up starting first in motion and interactive design. It was a good way to have access to learn the technology and get paid. So before I finished school, I started working as an art director at a web design firm and then left to work at a TV network. When I got to the States I continued in motion design work as an art director for a design studio called Eyeball NYC, and after two years I left and started freelancing. That was the time when I got back into illustration, but more as an expression for my art, although it had always been present in my motion work.

two.one.five: Where do you get ideas/inspirations?  Since you're Colombian, does your heritage and culture every play a role in designing?
TA: Nature, especially the Colombian Rainforests. I think of them as portraits and not landscapes because they’re not meant to be accurate, they’re just a representation of my memories. I want to draw attention to the fact that tropical rainforests are being depleted faster than anyone realizes; it’s projected that in 40 years the Colombian rainforests will be completely gone.

two.one.five: How does your design aesthetic differ from others in the business?  What would make someone say, "This is a Tatiana Arocha?"
TA: I love botanical drawings and I’m obsessed with collecting and pressing leaves. From one tree you can find so many shapes and forms – one leaf never looks like another. What I love from the old botanical drawings is that the illustrators needed to show an entire plant on a single page, so they would deconstruct it in a way that became very geometric and mathematical, losing some of it’s organic qualities. My work is similar but almost opposite because I like to combine geometric shapes to form something that feels organic. I think I have a sensibility that transfers throughout my graphic and motion work. I like to think more about the overall concept and how it needs to be represented more than to driven by a specific style. For me it’s all about finding the best way to communicate an idea and accurately represent what the client wants. And sometimes my personal style isn’t necessarily the right direction, so I find the artists who have the right style to work with.

two.one.five: Talk to us about designing your own product line.
TA: I’d like to talk about the line of products I developed last year with my sister, “lojja”. We collaborated in the creation of home products, developing sets of placements and coasters, pillowcases, eco bags, and dishcloths. In these products, I combined organic illustrations of orchids and vegetables with op art patterns and it turned out really cool. The products are very stylized and elegant.

two.one.five: Your career is extensive and obviously successful.  With over 80 gallery exhibitions, photographs in both books and magazines, working with big names like MTV and Vh1, what's next for Tatiana Arocha?
TA: Learning how to do all that while being a mom at the same time.

two.one.five: Describe your personal style and way of dressing.  Do any of your various mediums of choice leak into it?
TA: My personal style is casual and very simple but I always like to add something that is a bit more loud or contrasting with the outfit, like colorful shoes, belt or bracelet. I think that what transfers from my work to my personal style is the colors; my art is always very monochromatic with a hint of color.

two.one.five: When you can finally catch some free time or a day off, what's your day like?  Any non-work related hobbies?
TA: Right now my almost 3 months son, I spend my days talking and playing with him.

two.one.five: Where can we find you on the weekends (Uptown, Downtown, east side, west side, Brooklyn, Queens, etc)?
TA: Walking my dog Lola with Joaquin at Fort Greene Park.