Hey there, I'm Ieva - an illustrator & graphic designer from Latvia based in The Netherlands. I specialise in illustration, brand identity and merch design and I've been sinking my teeth into frame-by-frame animation and motion graphics more recently.
I embrace my inner silly so my work is playful and packed with fun & exaggerated characters. I’m fuelled by cartoons, podcasts on the weird & supernatural, horror movies and experiences I've picked up on my travels. I often incorporate textures, print flaws and halftones in my designs, but I’m not bound by these influences – I'm versatile in my approach, take directions well and work as closely or loosely to the brief as required.
If you're interested to know more, you can read this interview I did for Plundershock Magazine.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Brat Cave Studio was born out of love for lowbrow art, ignited by the ever-changing and creative spirit of London, raw energy of live music and experiences picked up on travels. I began my creative journey working in the events & merchandise industries where I was always surrounded by talent and cool tour merch design. Hanging out at art fairs, exhibitons and tattoo shops was also a constant source of inspiration that sparked my creativity and motivating to reconnect with my childhood love of drawing.
After finding myself stuck in an office job I no longer enjoyed, I packed up my drawing tablet and sketchbooks to travel around Southeast Asia. There I spent my time illustrating, booking my first client projects and developing design chops. These adventures enriched my perspective, infusing my art with diverse cultural influences and a sense of exploration.
The name ‘Brat Cave’ encapsulates the rebellious, playful spirit of the studio - ‘Brat’ symbolizing the unapologetic, fun spirit that defines the work, and ‘Cave’ representing the creative sanctuary where ideas come to life, a safe space where creativity knows no bounds and strategy meets spontaneity. But also 'B(r)at’ because I love bats.
We recognise the power of diverse and unique perspectives in creating meaningful designs, which is why we prioritise working closely with clients, bouncing off ideas, and listening to feedback & input at every stage of the process.
We are all about letting personality and your true self shine through on every project - no bs, fluff or cookie-cutter stuff! That’s why we love to work with brands & people who have something to say and dare to be loud about it, just as we are unapologetically true to our vision and clients.
Making sure our work is not just good looking but also ethically sound. We uphold moral principles in our creative decisions, ensuring we never knowingly work with businesses, suppliers or use imagery that perpetuates harm and injustice. We support marginalised groups by getting involved with fundraising initiatives for causes we support.
We believe creativity shines brightest when we’re having fun. We take our work seriously, but not ourselves. By keeping things relaxed and easygoing, we foster a space where ideas flow freely and collaboration feels natural. This helps us stay open-minded, maintain a positive atmosphere, and make the creative process enjoyable for everyone.
