Humans of Pixabay featuring loginueve_ilustra
Meet Hugo.
TL;DR
Mexican vector artist Hugo Hernández shares how graphic design led him into educational, tech-inspired vector illustration.
- Hugo Hernández is a vector artist based in Puebla, México, who started with graphic design in 2012.
- His favorite themes are technological and digital subjects, reflecting tools and products people use daily.
- Designers who created extraordinary work decades ago using basic tools deeply inspire him.
- His best creative advice is that a well-realized simple idea outlasts a complicated one.
- He values Pixabay for being a free, non-profit platform built on generosity between creators.
Two truths and a lie
Can you guess which are the truths and which is the lie? Get to know more about Hugo through this guessing game. Answers are at the end of the interview.
Statement 1: I prefer watching movies from years gone by over anything releasing today 🎥
Statement 2: I don't really like cake 🍰
Statement 3: I almost always walk away a winner from prize draws 🏆
Some questions for Hugo
What was your creative journey like? How did you start your craft and when?
My journey began back in 2012 with a bit of graphic design. Over time, creating images became a genuine hobby, and more recently I've shifted my focus toward vectors and images made for educational and illustrative purposes. It's been a gradual evolution, from learning the basics to finding a niche that has purpose.
How would you describe your style, and how has it evolved over the years?
My style is primarily rooted in current design trends, though I also enjoy exploring traditional elements. Ultimately, I focus on adapting to what's fresh and modern while staying open to the visual language of the past. It's an ongoing balance that keeps the work interesting.
What themes or stories do you love exploring in your work?
I'm most drawn to technological and digital subjects, the visual world that surrounds the tools being produced today and the digital products we interact with every day.
What inspires you in your illustrations?
What inspires me most is the result that can be achieved starting from simple things. I enjoy watching a basic concept grow, through careful decisions about shape, color, and composition, into something complete. As for when I create best, it tends to be in pockets of free time or when a specific design idea genuinely grabs my attention and won't let go.
Who are some of your inspirations in this field that have highly impacted your work?
Over the years, I've come across inspiring work on all kinds of platforms like wallpaper sites, photography communities, and illustration galleries. I've been drawn to surrealist imagery, anime-inspired visuals, and more recently the world of vectors. But the artists who have left the deepest impression on me are the designers who worked decades ago, when programs were basic at best — people creating extraordinary things with nothing more than Paint or CorelDRAW. Their dedication and resourcefulness remind me that creativity goes beyond just the tools; it's always been about the person, skill, and creativity behind them.
What was the best piece of creative advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I've received is that sometimes it's best to focus on a simple idea and build from there to create something very concrete. You start with something in mind, but you make sure you want to execute it in a specific and deliberate way. A well-realized simple idea will always outlast a complicated one that never quite comes together.
Do you have any advice for young artists who are aspiring to work in the creative field?
My advice applies to any creative person, regardless of age. Be dedicated, and focus on something you genuinely believe you can achieve interesting results in, whether that's music, design, video, or another creative field. Educate yourself on the fundamentals and stay aware of trends. But most importantly, pour your energy into something that feels authentically yours. That authenticity is what will make your work stand apart from AI and large companies. It's the one thing that can't be replicated.
What do you like about Pixabay?
I like that Pixabay lets you explore different content like images, videos, or music, and that it is offered completely free. It's designed for both creators and people looking to download content. It allows you to receive comments and views as a content creator, and to earn donations or even be recognized with awards and features. The content people upload is genuinely useful to others, and because it's non-profit, there's a spirit of generosity built into the whole platform that you don't find everywhere.
And the ‘two truths and a lie’?
Statements 1 and 2 are true. Statement 3 is the lie. Hugo has entered plenty of prize draws and bets over the years, but luck hasn't exactly been on his side. He's only walked away a winner a couple of times. The classic movies and the no-cake stance, however, are very much real 🎬🎂
Thank you, Hugo, for sharing your work with us!
Find Hugo on Instagram: @loginueve_ilustra