MONNING

A HOPEFUL DREAMER HAMSTER WHO BELIEVES THAT YOU CAN BE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO BE, IS A REFLECTION OF KOTCHAMON ANUPOOLMANEE, A GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND ILLUSTRATOR WHO WANTS PEOPLE TO SEE THE EXTRAORDINARY IN EVERYDAY LIFE

TEXT & IMAGE COURTESY OF SUBPER GRAPHIC

(For Thai, press here)

WHO

My name is Kotchamon Anupoolmanee, but you can call me Monning. I’m a graphic designer and illustrator, currently best known for my hamster-inspired character.

WHAT

The character Monning is a reflection of me—an everyday artist surrounded by a world of exceptional individuals (successful people who are the same age as me). Despite feeling occasionally burnt out and discouraged, Monning is a hopeful dreamer who believes that you can be anything you want to be (at least in your own imagination).

WHEN

The idea originated in 2019, after my pet hamsters slowly passed away. This loss inspired me to create a mouse character, keeping the memory of my late hamsters alive and reminding me that they are always with me in spirit, growing and evolving just like my art.

WHERE

Nowadays, you can see little Monning in collaborations with various brands, from the Blue Line of the MRT subway, and on different branded merchandise. You can also follow Monning’s adventures on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).

WHY

My small goal for Monning is for it to be like a comforting friend who brings a spark of joy and warmth, making everyone’s day a little brighter, and for people to see the extraordinary in the mundane aspects of everyday life.

How do you define your own style of work?

While the character Monning often steals the spotlight, my work is still fundamentally illustration. I love to express ideas through the character’s gestures, the layout of the images, and my choice of colors, which collectively make the storytelling more complete.

What inspires you and what principles do you apply to each project?

I like to combine my ideas and imaginations into things around me—like imagining a polo club where hamsters ride shrimps instead of horses, a flower vending machine for Valentine’s Day, or a shop selling ‘refreshing’ artificial tears made from lemon juice; these ideas may seem quirky and weird, but they offer me fresh and diverse perspectives on daily life.

Which project are you most proud of and why?

‘Chilling! Until the deadline calls…’ was my first art toy project. I didn’t have much knowledge about art toys when I started; I simply wanted to give it a try. I began by sketching, sanding the models, painting each one, and designing the packaging. Although I made many mistakes and there were times when I felt discouraged, seeing the project take shape for the first time filled me with immense pride because I completed it without giving up halfway. This project has also ignited a new passion—now, I’m even planning to invest in equipment to delve deeper into this craft.

Which part of the process do you enjoy the most during work?

I like to work with different formats, beyond just digital illustrations. My favorite part is conceptualizing how to present and convey my ideas. For example, a certain concept may be better expressed if it’s in the form of a short animation because it’s the best way to communicate the intended messages.

If you could invite any ‘creative’ for a coffee, who would it be and why?

I would choose Charles M. Schulz, the genius behind Snoopy, my beloved character. Even though he is no longer with us, I’d seize any opportunity to share how his creativity has profoundly shaped my life and career.

instagram.com/monning_mon
x.com/monningning