Get To Know Sponge: Supplier Edition with Lucy Maggie

Some people say the card is just as important as the cake... and we're inclined to agree. 

That's why we're so excited to introduce the talented illustrator behind some of the newest additions to our greeting card collection: Lucy from Lucy Maggie Designs.

Known for her colourful illustrations, brilliantly British humour and cards that have a knack for making people laugh out loud, we caught up with Lucy to chat about turning doodles into a business, where inspiration strikes and why a sprinkle-covered birthday cake would be her ultimate muse.

Pop the kettle on, grab a slice of cake and get to know the creative behind the cards.

For those who haven't discovered Lucy Maggie Designs yet, can you tell us a little about yourself and what you create?

Hello! I'm Lucy, and I somehow turned doodling into a full-time job.

Lucy Maggie Designs is a small greeting card company based in Liverpool, run by me alongside my brilliant team, Ella and Annie. I make funny greeting cards, stationery and gifts that mostly revolve around the chaos of everyday life, cats, and the occasional pigeon. If it makes someone snort in a card shop, it's probably something I'd design.

How did your journey as an illustrator begin? Was there a moment you realised this was what you wanted to do?

It's been a bit of a roundabout journey. I studied Illustration after my Foundation Art course, but after a year decided it wasn't quite right for me and switched to studying English at the University of Manchester instead. A few years later, during a spell between jobs, I started designing greeting cards to sell on Etsy to earn a bit of extra cash. I then landed a job in marketing, where I worked as a graphic designer for seven years, quietly building Lucy Maggie Designs on the side. When I had my daughter, juggling a full-time job, a growing business and a baby became completely unrealistic. Something had to give, so I took the leap and went all in on Lucy Maggie Designs.

Thankfully, it seems to have worked out!

Your work has such a distinctive style. How would you describe it in your own words?

Bright, colourful and slightly unhinged. I lean towards simple illustrations with lots of personality and hand lettering that looks a little imperfect. I think the humour is what makes it recognisable though—it's very British, a bit dry, sometimes sarcastic, and usually based on things we've all thought but maybe shouldn't say out loud.

Where do you find inspiration for your illustrations?

Everywhere. Family conversations, things my three-year-old says, my two cats behaving like tiny criminals, awkward social situations, Instagram inspo...

My Notes app is absolute chaos.

Do you have a favourite design from your collection? If so, why?
Oh, that changes regularly. At the minute I am loving the reception the Unfortunate Souls collection is getting - my personal fave being the Squirel design.

Do you still sketch on paper first, or has everything gone digital?
I still sketch, but digitally. It's so much more flexible than committing to paper!

How long does a typical illustration take to complete?
It really depends - the Unfortunate Souls range was designed in about an hour - and that includes all seven cards! But some designs take much longer to develop, especially if the idea isn't fully developed when I start work.

Do you have any little rituals or habits when you're working? (Tea? Music? Cake?)
I need to really get myself in the right headspace, and set aside a good chunk of time. Designing at home as opposed to in the studio usually is the most productive; there are far too many distractions when we are all in together. I like a bit of background music though - just nothing that is going to take my head out of the creative space! 

If you could illustrate any Sponge cake, which flavour would it be and why?
If I were to choose a Sponge cake to eat - then hands-down, it would be a brownie. I lurrrrrrve a gooey brownie! But to illustrate? A birthday cake with all of the sprinkles! 

Which Sponge cake would best describe your personality?
Neapolitan, because I am always doing a several jobs at once and struggle to make decisions, daily! 

What's next for Lucy Maggie Designs? Anything exciting on the horizon?
We've just bought a new A3 sublimation printer so we can work on adding tote bags to our product range... so that is pretty exciting! 

Finally… what does 'a little slice of happiness' mean to you?
A moment with my thoughts (rare with a three-year old!) and a good old bit of retail therapy, with no time pressures!