Here at Slowdown Studio we love collaborating with emerging and established artists from across the globe. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Agata Malinowska, the artist behind the new What Object Are You Today Art Print. Agata's practice sits at the intersection of illustration and design, heavily shaped by her architecture background and a love of Scandinavian interiors, furniture, and the emerging Polish design scene.
Who do you think is the most exciting emerging creative in your city? (can be music, art, anything)
Not sure if emerging, but Six Dots Design make amazing dream-like sculptural aluminium furniture and objects. I get inspired by them a lot when thinking about designing my own objects.
Where are your favourite places to go in your city?
I think my happy place is Om Being in Hackney Downs Studios. It’s this place that combines yoga, music, events - all the cool stuff. Incredible community, everyone’s super wholesome and welcoming.
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself when you were starting out in art?
My interest has always been in art and drawing, and that naturally led me to study architecture. I finished the degree and now work in the field full-time, but over time I realised I’m more drawn to design, with illustration becoming one of the tools I use within it.
I actually think it’s really valuable to have a deep background in something different from what you end up doing. I don’t regret taking that path at all - architecture has had a huge influence on how I think about composition, space, and the things I draw and design now, and it’s also given me a wide set of skills I still use every day. So, I’d say, don’t pigeonhole yourself!
What are you listening to in your studio at the moment?
Honestly, it’s a mix of things, but recently I’ve really been into this amazing blend of electronic dance, indie folk, Latino influences - just all-around great vibes - from this Swedish artist called Stuzzi. I’ve already seen him twice in London and genuinely, it was probably the best £8 I’ve ever spent on a gig. I’m actually planning to go to Stockholm in September to see him there too.
What Object Are You Today Art Print by Agata Malinowska
What inspired your design for this latest print design?
One time I was sitting in a café in Berlin with my sketchbook, thinking, okay, I don’t have much time - how do I simplify the objects I usually draw in my illustrations? So I started just drawing the outlines of them and filling them in with pen. Later I redrew them digitally and began associating different colours with different “holy objects,” as I call them.
What's your favorite way to slow down?
Okay, picture this: walks by the sea - although I live in London now, so I don’t get to do that very often. Cycling somewhere sunny to a park, sitting down for a picnic and drawing. Yoga at my favourite spot. I also really want to get into saunas.
And honestly, I’m a bit of a homebody too - I love putting incense on, dimming the lights, putting music on, and drawing. Although drawing in dim lighting is probably not ideal.
What's the most memorable book you've read in the last few years?
Honestly, I mostly read Scandinavian crime novels, so my brain is just full of detectives and murder mysteries at this point. I can barely remember the last non-crime book I read.
What has been the happiest/most rewarding moment of your art career?
Honestly, the recognition and trust I’ve received through collaborations like this has been the most rewarding part.
Recently, I had my first group art exhibition in Berlin, and I’ve got another one coming up in Hamburg. I’m also collaborating on branding and graphics for an exhibition focused on Polish design during 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen.
It still feels a bit surreal being part of events I’ve admired for so long. I’m really proud of slowly putting myself out there and going more international with my work.
How does living in your city influence your work? Is there anything about your city that has defined how or what you create?
I love that in a city like London you’ve got so many independent stores full of creative work. I often find myself inspired by design pieces, everyday objects, colours - the sheer abundance of creativity here is honestly wild. It also pushes me to stay curious and not get too comfortable stylistically, because there’s always something new influencing you just around the corner. Seeing other creatives around me is also really important - it really pushes me creatively and keeps me motivated to keep evolving. I think that’s also where my love of taking ordinary, familiar objects and subtly reinterpreting them into something a little surreal comes from.
While London is a huge part of what shapes my creativity, I’m also really drawn to Scandinavian design - colourful interiors, bold, playful spaces - as well as the emerging Polish design scene, which feels especially fresh and exciting right now. That mix of influences is probably my biggest source of inspiration.
What are you most excited/looking forward to this year?
For the long run, I’d love to see my illustrations translated into physical spaces and objects - whether that’s set design, furniture, or other tangible pieces.
This year though, I’m really excited about doing more collaborations, like the one with Slowdown Studio. More than anything, I want to meet more like-minded people and build connections within that community, especially as I gradually transition from an architecture role into a more design-focused practice.
Instagram: @projekt.am
Website: https://www.projektam.com
