Tiago Majuelos

As part of SAYE’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, we’re excited to introduce our latest limited clothing capsule: SAYE x Tiago. This collection features two products: a T-shirt and a Tote Bag, illustrated by Tiago Majuelos, a Barcelona-based artist whose work is known for its optimistic, colorful, and slightly surreal style.

Tiago’s vibrant illustrations were the perfect fit to bring to life the story of The Greens Capsule, celebrating our achievement in crafting sneakers from mango, apple, and cactus waste. We sat down with Tiago to talk about his creative process, his thoughts on sustainability, and what excites him about the future.

Tell us a about yourself & your career as an illustrator. What’s your day-to-day like now?

Since I can remember, I’ve been drawing and painting. As a kid, I was curious about comic book characters, video games, animation, art, and even cereal mascots—I was fascinated by everything! That curiosity is something I’ve worked hard to keep alive, and it still drives me today in my career as an illustrator.

I’ve had a lot of references over the years, though none that are particularly dominant. My style has developed organically as I’ve followed my own tastes and influences. I feel like I have a solid, distinct style now, but I still experiment with alternative techniques and approaches. It keeps me dynamic, which I think is crucial in today’s world.

Can you walk us through your creative process?What inspires you, and how do you go from an initial idea to a final design?

I usually start with free sketches on paper, just letting ideas, characters, letters, and shapes come together naturally. Then, I refine the composition on my tablet, drawing freehand over the sketch again and again until I’m happy with every line. Finally, I choose and apply the colors.In terms of inspiration, I’m drawn to themes like nature, post-Internet culture, folk art, and ancient civilizations.

How was the creative process with SAYE? Were there any specific guidelines, or did you have full creative freedom?

The collaboration with SAYE has been really positive, and I had a lot of creative freedom. The main goal was to highlight the sustainable materials in SAYE’s Greens Capsule, which are made from discarded fruits and plants like apples, mangos, and cacti.

When I thought of these three materials, I immediately pictured them as a team, good friends hanging out together!From there, the design flowed naturally. I wanted to convey a sense of optimism, teamwork, and commitment, which is very much in line with SAYE’s values.

What role does sustainability play in your work and how important do you think it is in art, fashion, and design?

Sustainability is something I care deeply about, especially when it comes to fashion. We’re living in an era of mass production driven by artificial needs, and it’s really disheartening to see so many low-quality products being made with a huge negative impact on the planet. Thankfully, there are positive alternatives—brands like SAYE are proof of that. These are the kinds of initiatives we need to highlight and support. As an artist, and as a person, I try to improve every day by being more mindful of the choices I make.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

We’re living in such unpredictable and fast-changing times that it’s hard to say where I’ll be even next year, let alone in a decade! But my hope is that future Tiago will be happy, living a calmer, more relaxed life, and spending quality time with my family. That’s what truly matters to me.

Is there any final advice you’d like to give to young illustrators just starting their careers?

I would say: enjoy the process. It shows in the final result when you’re truly invested and having fun. Let your intuition guide you, and focus on finding what makes you unique. That’s what will set you apart.