'5+1' with illustrator and textile designer Steffi Bauer

In this edition of ‘5+1’ we talk to Munich-based illustrator and textile designer Steffi Bauer about her job, motivation and inspiration, her latest exhibition with skateboards and of course about mobility.

1. Where do you come from and what do you do for a living?

Originally, I’m from a very small village about an hour away from Munich. I moved to Vienna quite early but l have been living in Munich for about 10 years now, which is great. I work as a textile designer and illustrator and usually collaborate with brands of all sizes.

2. What motivated and inspired you to be where you are today?

Well, I think it has definitely something to do with me growing up on the countryside. As kids, we were always outside in the forrest or with our grandparents. We could literally do almost whatever we want. So I experimented a lot. I think that is how my creativity arose, partly. I always loved to draw, so I went to an art school in Munich, did my final exams and studied graphic design. I always knew the direction I wanted to go.

3. Where do you get your your ideas for new prints and illustrations from? Is there anything that you don’t like to draw and what do you love to draw?

Getting ideas is only hard when I have to get them immediately. Besides that, it is really just going outside, giving myself and my mind some space, some time. No pressure! Mostly on Sundays, when I say “Hey, I don’t do anything today!“, then the ideas come running. There is nothing in particular that I don’t like to draw. But I Iike drawing organic stuff and plants of course. That sort of became my thing.

4. You live and work in Munich. Are you satisfied with the mobility offer in the city and how do you get from A to B?

Mostly, I get around by bike and sometimes by public transportation. I think Munich has a lot more to do to strengthen bicycle infrastructure. There are a lot of unsafe spots. Yet it’s fun and I have the feeling I can get to every place in Munich in a reasonable time. Public transportation is ok but there is always something broken, air quality could be better and try to ride the U6 at commuting time on a Monday in Winter. Yeah, you get from A to B but you feel 80% more sick afterwards … If I really need a car to get something or go somewhere outside, I usually ask my boyfriend to rent a car from a car-sharing. I don’t like to drive in the city. Traffic is too hectic and stressful. In general I think, there is too much focus on cars in Munich. They take up too much space, pollute the air with emissions and noise and somehow make people grumpy. I also got the feeling that the cars get bigger but there is mostly just one person sitting inside. That seems stupid.

5. Last year you had an exhibition with skateboards in Munich. What fascinates you about skateboards and do you take the skateboard in Munich to go from A to B?

For starters, I didn’t know anything about skateboards when “Salut Skateboards“ asked me to collaborate with them. A good friend of mine is a great skater and I asked him to take me with him to the skatepark. I really have no clue how it works but I am fascinated by all these amazing tricks and even just how to go around with that thing. It looks crazy cool and the people I met during the collaboration have the total commitment and passion for skating. That is great! So to come back to your question if I go from A to B with a skateboard? I don’t – that would definitely end badly. I hang them on my wall and love to watch people on skateboards.

And the +1 question for you: “E-scooter like Tier, Bird etc. – yes or no?”

Now it’s your turn. Let us now what you think about the new e-scooters like Lime, Tier or Bird that you find everywhere in bigger cities. Are you annoyed by them? Do you use them? Share your opinion with us in the comments below.

– No, thanks (answer via Instagram)
– Yes (answer via Instagram)
– No, better walking (answer via Instagram)

Steffi in her design process. During the last weeks we worked on a nice collaboration together. Stay tuned – soon more here on ellectric.

Pictures: Steffi Bauer
Interview: Britta Reineke