Nina Bachmann's fun illustrations are full of hope but aim to counteract the current global mood

It's why she tries to counteract this by bringing positive and optimistic feelings back into daily life through her work. "In the fast pace of life, people are always in a hurry and sometimes forget that there are also small beautiful moments. I'm trying to remind them of what is important," she adds.

Bachmann studied Communication Design at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich and joined a graphic design studio after graduation. Today, she works there part-time and spends the rest of the week as a freelance illustrator. She's even founded her own beer company with three friends.

So where does her distinctive style come from? "I love to illustrate emotions, mimics and gestures, especially to observe people and interpersonal interactions. In the beginning, my style was still very clean. But since I launched my own studio, a lot has developed. Here, I've had enough space to try out materials, colours and shapes.

"We always have to deliver perfect work in our daily lives. For this reason, it is important to me that my way of painting is very spontaneous and instinctive and conveys a certain lightness or effortlessness. I think in order to express something it needs a certain exaggeration. so my facial expressions and gestures are very positive and a bit strange. But it's also everyday life."

Currently, Bachmann is working on a new series of hand-painted acrylic artworks called Riot Friends. "It's people scuffling or even cuddling. that's up to you," she adds.