In this week’s Meet the Maker we chat with Illustrator Hanaa from La Plante Carnivore
We’re excited to introduce you to Hanaa, the creative force behind this vibrant and bold brand. As the founder and artist of La Plante Carnivore, Hanaa infuses her unique style and playful spirit into every design, making her stationery stand out in a delightful way. Hanaa sells with Urban Makers online and at our guest markets at Old Spitalfields Market.
Hi Hanaa! Please introduce yourself
I’m Hanaa aka La Plante Carnivore. I’m an Architectural Assistant and a part-time Illustrator. My stationery designs feature colourful, bold, joyful, cute and floral illustrations inspired by nature, animals, sweet memories and anecdotes from family and friends.
What did you do before creating your business?
I was a student taking a master’s degree in Architecture at the University of Greenwich.
Why did you start your business, and what’s the inspiration behind your brand?
La Plante Carnivore started in May 2022, when I was still a student completing my final year at university. I had been wanting to start a stationery business at this point in time for a few years, and somehow the stress and pressure from working on my design project pushed me to find solace in designing greeting cards, marking the beginning of La Plante Carnivore!
The brand is a reflection of who I am, being quite joyful. I aim for my work to bring you a smile. The atypical name of ‘La Plante Carnivore’ (the carnivorous plant, in French) comes from my fascination of carnivorous plants, as well as reflecting my Mauritian roots (Mauritius, my beautiful home-country, is a multi-lingual island, located in the Indian Ocean, and is a melting pot of different cultures).
What is your Design process and what are your essential tools?
I generally create illustrations from a rough sketch and then proceed to work on Procreate. This software allows me to paint digitally and instinctively. It has been a great tool to establish my style. I use Photoshop and Indesign to then add the finishing touches and to get the products ready for printing.
What have been the biggest challenges/achievements?
Starting a small stationery business has been more difficult than I had initially anticipated. I naively thought it would have been an immediate success starting off online. I still struggle to make online sales, and so I have been participating at craft markets to build in-person connections and boost my sales. The Urban Makers Guest Craft Market is one I very much enjoy coming back to!
Hanaa at Old Spitalfields Market with Urban Makers
I am still on this learning journey on how to best present myself and my work both online and in-person, as well as growing the business. There is also the realisation of having to wear multiple hats simultaneously: designer, financial planner, photographer, content creator and more, making it quite overwhelming at times!
While this can sound daunting, I never get bored and would certainly never look back! It is a slow growth but I am happy as I see the progress from the early days. Besides, it is always so encouraging to see the customers’ live reactions. The smiles on their faces when they look at a greeting card make it worth it!
How would you describe your business in 3 words?
Colourful, joyful and sweet.
Favourite music / podcasts to listen to while working?
I listen to different music genres depending on my mood, but mostly listen to podcasts while drawing. Funnily enough, I enjoy listening to paranormal podcasts, a great contrast to my illustrations! I am a loyal listener to the Jim Harold’s Campfire podcast, as well as the Real Life Ghost Stories podcast. Spooky! I also tune in to Radiolab, I Weigh with Jameela Jamil and La Poudre by Lauren Bastide podcasts. You can find the links below if you want to give them a listen!
Jim Harold’s Campfire: https://jimharold.
Real Life Ghost Stories: https://www.
Radiolab: https://radiolab.org/
I Weigh: http://iweighcommunity.com/
La Poudre: https://podtail.com/fr/
Do you have any advice for someone just starting out?
I would recommend starting with a tangible plan, while also remaining flexible for unexpected turns. When I started La Plante Carnivore I had this expectation of it being an instant success, but it was not the case. And so, I would recommend trying different strategies in the beginning until you find what works for you. It might require some time, but stay hopeful!
It might be good to look at successful businesses at a similar scale to yours as a guideline and see if some of their strategies could apply to you and allow you to succeed too! This also makes you realise that you are not alone and that you can rely on the great community of makers and creatives for support, friendship, love… and helpful tips!
I would suggest to start with a well-defined brand identity and a small amount of great products at first. Focus on quality over quantity, and let it grow from there.
It would be helpful to keep a part-time job too, if possible, from the financial side of things, which can make things a little less stressful when you are building your new business.
What do you do to relax?
I enjoy the simple pleasures of watching shows or movies with my cat Bo Bardi sitting on my lap, going for nature walks, gardening, rollerskating and cycling in Hyde Park.
What’s next / any exciting plans?
I am working to expand my product range, and also wanting to take time in producing intricate illustrations. In the meantime, I’m dreaming of the day when I can move my products from a drawer to a studio! Let’s see where this journey takes me!
Meet the Maker – Hanaa from La Plante Carnivore