Michelle Kondrich’s illustrations are captivating. With a stroke of her digital brush, the Hastings College graduate and current illustrator and art director for the Washington Post Op-Ed division, breathes life into complex ideas and transforms concepts into visuals that captivate readers.
Some of her works are portraits, while others are animations, each designed to enhance the stories they accompany. In one animation, a weary dog walking trudging everyday scenes, brought to life an article titled “We Take Our Dogs Everywhere. Maybe We Shouldn’t,” demonstrating Kondrich’s uncanny ability to distill complex arguments into compelling visuals.
Kondrich’s interest in illustration began through listening to a podcast about the industry. Kondrich, who graduated in 2004 with a degree in art, believed it was a feasible thing to do, which is when she started her freelance journey.
“I am a lover of variety,” Kondrich said. “I love illustration so much because I get to draw anything and everything.”
Kondrich began doing freelance illustrations in 2009 under Michelle Kondrich Illustrations. Since then, her illustrations have been in many publications, such as the New York Times, The Chronicle for Higher Education and Politico Europe. She has also created several illustrations for Hastings College, including a print of Taylor Hall. In 2023, she started working at the Washington Post as an illustrator and art director.
As an illustrator at the Post, Kondrich is immersed in a creative environment where she’s tasked with curating ideas, crafting drawings and creating animations for stories selected by the Washington Post editors.
A key aspect of Kondrich’s role involves interpreting articles she is sketching for. Before she begins, she is given the article that needs illustration. Then, after analyzing the article and generating ideas, she sends at least 3-5 illustrations to the art director.
While at the Washington Post, she has done many illustrations that are quite eye-catching. Last year on February 12, 2024, Kondrich illustrated the trip a “rose” makes on Valentine’s Day.
While using the entire screen, she can showcase not only her illustration abilities but also her creativity.
Kondrich would not be where she is without the help of the art department at Hastings College. “I made connections with people, my friends and my instructors,” Kondrich said. “I was able to explore things that I was interested in and it gave me a wonderful foundation.”
