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You are reading Maker Stations — your Sunday newsletter, where we feature desk tours with makers and creators.

Name: Lily Ongartthaworn

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Occupation: Illustrator, artist, designer

Room size: 24 m² (258 ft²)

Cost of setup: ~$300 (without the tech)

Social media: Instagram, X

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m an independent illustrator, designer, and artist.

I’ve been creating illustrations for small businesses’ products and promotional materials, musical acts, magazines, websites, and many other types of projects.

I also make and sell my own merchandise, like notebooks, stickers, postcards, and I self-publish books and zines.

My illustration work is mainly hand-drawn with coloured pencils and combined with mixed media — such as papercraft, clay sculpture, wood, miniatures, embroidery, and new media (even soap bubbles).

Often, the handmade components need to be digitally edited.

I photograph or scan them and then use software to finalise them for printed media, online images, animations, products, etc.

A collection of small items arranged on a wooden desk, with each object labelled, including natural elements like feathers, stones, and twigs, positioned next to office tools like push pins and paperclips, under the soft glow of an IKEA ÅRSTID lamp

Outside design, I also work as a content writer and occasionally as a creative for an agency in Thailand.

I'm originally from Bangkok, but I’ve been in Tokyo for a few years pursuing my master’s degree in the Science of Design at Musashino Art University.

A photo of Thai-born, Japan-based artist Lily Ongartthaworn standing on a quiet street in Tokyo, wearing a pink blouse and green skirt, with colourful buildings in the background

When I was younger, I worked in a design agency back home and had a lot of fun.

I also really enjoy working alone on my own art. Ultimately my dream is to be able to support myself through my own creative direction.

I also enjoy being a design researcher: writing, conducting experiments, exchanging ideas with people, and having the chance to speak at lectures a lot.

A pencil-drawn face with wavy brown hair tied by a string and a neutral expression

My next step is working with bigger clients and finding more opportunities to showcase my work.

I’m working towards holding a solo exhibition, working on an MV, or publishing commercially.

I regularly update my work on Instagram and personal website.

Take us through your setup

Big, blank, wooden, worktop space.

Since I spend a lot of time working with my hands, I need a surface where I can physically spread papers, knead dough, and cut wood.

This is the main reason I opt out of the secondary monitor and dock setup.

A cosy and minimalist workspace with a laptop, MUJI wooden letter tray, and an IKEA ÅRSTID lamp on a small desk

My desk needs to function like a craft workshop table: I move things around, sweep away the mess at the end of the day, and put my laptop back.