Mau Cardoso

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Character Design

Editorial

Food & Drink

Graphic

Lettering

People

Pop

Vector

Pop art style frosted cinnamon roll with vibrant blue and purple, by Mau Cardoso

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Frosted s'mores illustration with blue and orange graphic style by Mau Cardoso

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Frosted cherry pop-tart with cherries and dynamic graphic background by Mau Cardoso

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Colorful frosted strawberry pastry illustration with farm and Midwest theme by Mau Cardoso

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JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette walking down city street by Mau Cardoso

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Mau collects reference from films and games

Pop-culture references with narrative logic and animation-ready structure

Mixing a love of cartoons and comics with naïve humor and vibrant color palettes, Mau Cardoso creates wildly imaginative illustrations and witty animations for clients across Brazil and around the world. His characters range from the sly to the silly and his concepts from clever to crazy, but whatever Mau creates, it’s charged with energy and excitement. The pandemic was a turning point for Mau and his creativity. An experienced graphic designer, he found work was drying up, so he started drawing and sharing his creations on social media. Soon, he’d built up a whole new set of clients in love with his illustrations, ideas, passion and collaborative approach. Iconic visuals abound amongst Mau’s influences. Movies like Back to the Future and Star Wars. Villains like Jason Voorhees, Freddy and the Xenomorph. Arcade games like Streetfighter and Zelda. And cartoons by Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. He also loves the Brazilian comic legend Maurício de Souza – and not just because they share the same first name. He has a degree in graphic design from UNIFTEC but constantly adds to his learning with courses in illustration, typography, 3D and more.

Approach

Mau takes a unique approach to each brief, which begins with brainstorming things he loves that relate to the theme. Gathering references from classic movies, Saturday cartoons, comics, music and more, he sketches something brand new to carry his client’s message.

Key software

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and After Effects.

Style

Mau’s style is based around a comic and cartoon aesthetic, with fine line work and bright, expressive colour palettes. He usually sees an artwork as part of a story or sequence, so animating it is a natural next step for him whenever required.

Languages

Portuguese

Impressions

Interview

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Interview

What led you to become an illustrator?I worked as a graphic designer for over 10 years. Whenever possible, I incorporated illustrations into the projects I worked on during that time. Gradually, I grew bored and began to shift my portfolio towards illustration. I think I only realised I was a full-time illustrator when I turned down a design project to work on an illustration.Did you study illustration in college ? I studied at UNIFTEC here in Caxias do Sul. I had some courses in observational drawing and illustration, more oriented towards product design during college.Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in the city where I still live today, Caxias do Sul, in southern Brazil.Do you have a childhood memory relating to drawing that you hold dear? When I was a child, I loved to draw, paint, or play with modelling clay. Whenever someone asks me this question, I share this story: When I started reading the stories by the comic artist Maurício de Souza, I noticed the author's signature with the same name as mine in the corner of the comic book. I asked my father what my name was doing there, and he said, 'Maurício is the name of an illustrator.' I remember thinking things like 'wow! being an illustrator must be the coolest job in the world, spending the whole day drawing.' So, here I am.Describe your studio for us I like to work almost in the dark. My work is already very vibrant, so only low and indirect light for me. On my desk, I always have a computer, monitor, drawing tablet, and two of those audio monitors. Additionally, there's always a water bottle and a cup of coffee. I have some action figures like the Terminator T-800, an Alien Xenomorph, Mike from the TMNT, Link from Zelda, and some Star Wars characters. Some posters on the walls, a bookshelf with books and comics, a tube TV for retro gaming. On the floor, a rug and probably some pillows, toys, and a dog bed for Manteiga.If you could collaborate with other artists or creatives of any genre, living or dead, who would it be?It would be cool to work for one of my favorite bands, creating an album cover, merchandise, or concert poster. Or collaborate in some way with someone like Genndy Tartakovsky on an animated series. To see one of my illustrations in animation, like Spider-Verse or the last TMNT. These two really blew my mind. To do title card lettering for masters of horror like John Carpenter or David Cronenberg. Something like that.What's your most prized possession and why?My vinyl records, turntable, and receiver from the 80s (which are older than me), my Nintendo 64 with my Zelda: Ocarina of Time cartridge, and I have a Michelangelo action figure from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that I received as a gift on my 5th birthday. This action figure is an inspiration for me. One day, I want to create a character as cool as him. Is there anything cooler than a ninja, pizza-loving, teenage turtle with the name of a Renaissance artist? I don't think so, right?What causes are you passionate about?Maurício: Gender equality and racial equality, social and environmental causes. Brazil is a country that needs to improve a lot in these matters.How do you separate your work life from your home life?Nowadays, I am very strict with my schedules. I avoid working at night, preferring to wake up earlier during busy times. My wife arrives home at 6:30 pm, and I try to finish work so that we can spend time together. Throughout the day, I take short breaks during work. During this time, I can put clothes in the washing machine, clean the house, and even take Manteiga for a walk. I use the Pomodoro method, but not so strictly; when I need extra focus time, I continue working. Marina and I can work well together because we understand that sometimes we operate differently.What is the first record you bought? Use your Illusion II - Guns n’ Roses.Who are your art heroes? Roy Lichtenstein and H.R. Giger.Who are your design heroes? Paula Scher, Jessica Walsh, Aloísio Magalhães, Stefan Sagmeister, Athos Bulcão, Alexandre Wollner, Milton Glaser, Herb Lubalin, Ray and Charles Eames. I can't choose just one of these designers!Who is your music hero?Maurício: Paul McCartney.If you were not an illustrators, what would you be?Photographer, Chef or lead singer in a hard rock band, why not?If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?Japan would be nice! Something very different from Brazil, it would be cool. How would someone who knows you well describe you? Creative with a peculiar sense of humor, and knowledge of quirky things.What was the last concert you went to?Paul McCartney Got Back tour at São Paulo.What is your favourite book?I am finishing 'The Creative Act' by Rick Rubin, and at the moment, it's my favorite. Many things that were right in front of me the whole time, and I only realized them by reading.What is your favourite quote?I really like the one from the movie 'They Live.' “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum.” I say this out loud every time I'm about to start a job, just kidding!Is there any random thing you consider yourself an expert on?Problem Solving: From work matters to home maintenance, electronic equipment and so on. I love solving things.Do you both have any tips/advice for other illustrators?Find your own style; maybe take some time, be patient! The best way to improve your skills is copying things you like. Steal like an artist; everything is a remix, you know. You take a bit from that guy, something from another one, and in the end, you will create something new, something yours. Use limitation as a guide. Work with one limited color palette or choose to use only vector or one kind of brush stroke on digital painting. I consider myself a maximalist artist, but in this case, less is more. When you have few options or tools to use, you will use them wisely. Find references on terrible things too. Alan Moore once said: 'As a prospective writer, I would urge you to not only read good books. Read terrible books as well because they can be more inspiring than the good books.' I believe this works in any artistic field. Last but not least, break all the rules. These things worked for me until now, but one day if I needed, I would break all these rules and build others.Is there a work lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way?Not comparing yourself to others, some people start the race a few steps ahead of us, don't forget that. Comparison will drive you crazy.