The Creative Mind: Get to Know the Illustrator Behind Socolossal

An Interview by Miruna Manoilă

Whenever I come across illustrated products for children, be they books, games or decorative objects, I reach the inevitable curiosity: "How is it possible to have so much imagination and skill to visualize another universe and bring it to life? Who is the person behind these wonders and how did they achieve the extraordinary ability to materialize them?” These questions and the nostalgia of my own childhood were the impetus for having a conversation with the creator behind Socolossal. I am grateful to discover a piece of Malvina Socol’s creative magic and I am happy to share it with you, through this immersive interview.

The Artistic Journey

Who is Malvina Socol?

Malvina Socol – Illustrator & Graphic Designer from Cluj-Napoca, Romania, mother of a little girl, creator of Socolossal.

What is your professional history?

Ever since I was a child I have loved to draw and I have been noticed for my talent and aesthetic sense.

I studied Graphics at the "Romulus Ladea" High School of Fine Arts, and then at the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca. I started working as a children's illustrator while still in high school, in 2007. That means now (in 2025) I have accumulated 18 years (!) of experience.

The Inspiration Behind the Socolossal Products

What inspired you to create illustrations and games for children?

I think it's my calling, considering that the desire to create has accompanied me all my life.

As a child, I spent most of my time drawing, reading or playing in the garden. Illustrating fantasy stories easily became my passion. Being trained as a graphic designer, I wanted to create something more than just illustrations, something that would give them a bit of functionality and make them complete projects.

I want to bring, somehow, a little of the magic of stories into our lives. It's my way of inspiring children (and parents) to dream of building a better world.

What motivated you to turn your passion into a business?

The idea of ​​freedom motivated me to start, especially the creative freedom.

I always knew that I wanted to create something that would combine all my interests. I am also passionate about other areas, tangential to the artistic ones: working with paper in a multitude of forms (collage, origami, pop-up, paper flowers), calligraphy and floral arrangements.

By combining my passions: illustration, design and paper objects, Socolossal was born.

Where does the Socolossal name come from?

The name "Socolossal" is a play on words between our family name "Socol" and "colossal", merging into "so colossal". That is, the way I hope that the games I make will inspire children to grow up. To become truly "great people".

What inspires you and keeps you creative? Do you have any artistic influences, favorite creators?

Anything can be inspiration: the way an autumn leaf falls to the ground, the color palette of a dress, a feeling, a memory.

I think we are all influenced by what we see, even unconsciously.

Some creators I admire would be: Livia Rusz, Genevieve Goubout, Alex T. Smith, Rachel Corcoran, Briony May Smith, Isabelle Follath, Margarita Kukhtina, Nikki Dyson, Lucille Michieli, Merrilee Liddiard, Jessica Roux, Livia Coloji, Mădălina Andronic , Agnes Keszeg, Tiffanie Turner, Ann Wood, Brittany Jepsen.

The Creative Process

What is your Creative Process?

It all starts with an idea. I generally put down on paper (or on the screen) all my thoughts related to it and then eliminate and edit until that idea reaches its final form, which becomes the Socolossal product.

I draw most of the illustrations by hand and color them digitally. Sometimes the illustrations come first, and then I form the entire design around them. Other times I create the design first, the structure that supports the illustrations. However, all the elements work together to convey the atmosphere and story I intend.

The product must be aesthetic and useful for me to be satisfied and consider it ready to be launched. Value can be found in many aspects. Even beautiful things are useful, if they bring us joy. Special things have always had meaning for me. I have always considered it fundamental to develop something unique, something that does not yet exist, at least in the form in which I present it, something that only I can contribute to the world.

What is your favorite part of this process?

I've always loved drawing and lines. But when everything is finished, I also get a remarkable satisfaction.

How do you choose what to create for Socolossal?

These are the things I would like our little one to grow up with. The themes revolve around stories, fantasy, nostalgia, nature and exploration.

And the diversity of products can be divided into several categories: Posters (for decorating children's spaces), Stickers (everyone's favorite), Classics (playing cards and board games) and Unique (Customizable - like the Family Tree or the "Welcome Baby" Album; Sets - like the one with the Tooth Fairy; The Fantastic Map of Romania; Anti-Monster Spray). Added to these are the Free Printables on the Blog, because it's important to offer something accessible to everyone.

In order for what I do to have as little negative impact on the environment as possible, all our digital products are made of paper and cardboard (easy to recycle), with accessories made of wood, cotton or other natural materials (biodegradable).

These are some special things that I would have liked to surround myself with in my childhood, being an introverted and imaginative child.

Which of your creations are you most proud of?

I'm proud of all of them. But maybe I'm a little prouder of the most complex and unique ones, such as the "Fantastic Map of Romania", the "Customizable Family Tree", the "Tooth Fairy Set".

The Socolossal Products

Why Digital Products?

I chose to start the adventure with digital (printable) products for many reasons, but first and foremost because they are inclusive.

They are instantly accessible to a lot of different people, from all over the world, they are always available and a wide variety of products can be launched often.

They are very customizable and everyone can choose how (and on what materials) to print them. They can be multiplied according to each person's needs (endlessly).

They bring with them moments of creative play, needing to be made by hand, children use their practical skills. Not all of them need to be printed, some can be kept as digital documents, which don't take up extra space in the house.

They are beneficial for the environment, by reducing the waste of  materials and the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, and using recyclable, reusable or biodegradable materials.

Do you test your products with children? How do you ensure they are age appropriate?

Almost all products are tested by my daughter. I “tested” my ideas for craft boards and activities in children’s magazines to which I contributed monthly for 15 years.

Pediatric psychologists have a saying: “It’s not about age, it’s about stage”. That is, the level of maturity, responsibility and skill that a child demonstrates. Each child’s interests also matter a lot.

When I write the age on the website or in the instructions, I also add a little explanation, for example “6+ (When they start learning to read)”. This makes it easier for parents to choose the right product for their child, because they know them best.

Who are Socolossal Wonders suitable for?

First of all, Socolossal wonders are for creative children who like to craft (especially with paper), for those interested in nature and fantasy stories.

Then, they are for mothers who also like crafting, to DIY for their children and to be an example to them. For parents who want something different and customized for their little ones.

They are also intended for educators and teachers who want to decorate their classroom with posters, to use stickers as evaluation methods or "rewards", educational products or free printables for activities with the children. They can be used the same even by children's entertainers.

How do you think your products help parents in their mission of raising children?

I knew I wanted to promote learning through play, developing imagination, creativity and curiosity, family time and respect for nature.

My products help parents bring joy, nostalgia and magic into their children's lives. Not only do they keep little ones busy with activities, they also practice their practical skills, inventiveness, and learn to appreciate nature, art and reading.

The Vision

Why do you believe that magic, imagination, creativity are so important?

Without imagination we wouldn't want anything, we wouldn't develop anything new and we wouldn't evolve. Humans first had to imagine what it would be like to fly, to believe that somehow it was possible, and then to research ways to turn the possibility into reality.

Creativity is the impulse to bring something new into the world, to produce variety, to share ideas in a concrete way.

And magic - besides being likened to a fairly advanced science - I believe that it is found in the area of ​​faith, trust, wonder, and hope. We can encounter it by exploring the world, when we marvel at the details of how nature balances everything or at the capacity of people to give.

They are all significant to me and that is why they appear in one form or another in everything I produce. I think it is also essential for children to grow up with them, because they will give them the desire to build a better world. And I believe they are crucial now, at the beginning of the AI Age, when, to make a difference, our children will have to distinguish themselves through uniqueness, humanity, innovative ideas, the ability to make unexpected associations, which only their perspective can provide.

From now on, we will need more visionaries, people who can find solutions for a sustainable future, in which caring for nature and promoting the qualities that make us human are priorities.

What is your favorite childhood game memory? Did you have any special games?

One year, my grandmother brought us a classic game of "Minikin" (ro. "Piticot"). My sister and I played it every year around the winter holidays - it became a kind of tradition. I loved how the game told a story and transported you to a world where rabbits pull children's sleds, dwarfs guide you through silver forests and bears build their houses in tree trunks.

I try to bring this nostalgic, fantastic and timeless feeling through my illustrations.

How do you balance the creative and the business side of your work?

They say that a good balance for creative businesses is 10% learning and 90% creation, of which 30% is the artistic part and 60% the business part.

In the beginning, you need more learning than that. And on the business side, it helps a lot to give yourself time to implement some systems that will make your life easier in the future. I was lucky with the experience from all the years I worked on my own, from home, which kept me organized and disciplined.

I try to allocate as much time as I can for creation, especially in periods when I feel particularly inspired. Socolossal is based on special creations and these need attention.

It is difficult to balance the way I divide my time, especially the time spent with my loved ones with the time dedicated to my passion, because I always want to give 100%. I try to focus on the idea that "I can have it all, just not at the same time" so that I don't always feel guilty about missing out on something.

What is the most memorable feedback you have received for your products?

After I gave birth to our baby girl, I showed my maternity salon roommate my digital illustration portfolio. She had just given birth to a little girl whose name also started with "A". Her reaction reminded me why I am a children’s illustrator. “They are so cute! I would put them all up on her wall!” Meaning, she wanted her little girl to grow up surrounded by my illustrations and to feel inspired by them. It was the push I needed to start Socolossal.

The Future of Socolossal

How do you see the Socolossal Future?

My dream is to continue to bring you educational and original printable digital wonders that will make your little ones' childhood magical. I have a lot of products in the pipeline and so many more ideas for the future.

Create more customizable products, so that every child can feel how special they are.

Reinterpret Romanian stories and traditions for the modern child, in a way that the ancient truth and wisdom found in them can be understood and passed on.

My intention is to expand to also create physical products made of paper and cardboard (in addition to digital ones). And, eventually, our range to also include other toys made of natural materials (wood, textiles).

I would like to have many unique collaborations with Romanian artists and artisans, to create special things together, but also to promote their work.

I also want to plan interesting events for children (and the adults who accompany them), beautifully organized, with purpose and coherence, for moments they will remember for the rest of their lives.

I have big plans, and the ideas are flowing. It just takes time to implement them, with collaborators and support to match.

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Talking to Malvina Socol, we discovered that Socolossal products need an entire ecosystem to come to life. It's not just about talent or passion, but also many years of practice. Exploring further, we identified the engine of this name, namely a set of values ​​and ideals. Thus, Socolossal manages to bring us joy and play, but above all, it takes care of the growth of little ones, into great people.

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What kind of products do you want for your child? What types of products would you like to see more of on the Socolossal website?

Do you have ideas for collaboration?

Your suggestions are welcome at the e-mail address: contact@socolossal.ro