About Yaja'

My name is Yajá Mulcare, and I am a Brooklyn-based author, designer, and illustrator. My design journey began after attending Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design and Digital Media. I studied print production, web design, and branding, which laid the foundation for my creative career. Since then, I have worked as a freelancer for small businesses, designing logos, brand guides, and websites. I also spent a year creating medical illustrations for Healthline Media before transitioning to NYC Ferry as a Creative Designer, where I developed impactful visuals.

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As a Black artist and designer, self-expression and style are at the core of my work. My creativity is fueled by movies, video games, manga/comics, and music, as well as by the inspiration I draw from other cultures. Japanese culture—its language, folklore, and history—has been a significant influence on my projects. Some of my favorite Japanese creators include Junji Ito, Hayao Miyazaki, Ai Yazawa, and Tatsuki Fujimoto. Game design and movie scriptwriting helped me gain a better understanding of storytelling; how to weave art and narrative together into something relatable for the audience.

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Beyond my design career, I have explored self-publishing, authoring three books: two centered around art and creativity for children and one focused on the medicinal purposes of tea. I wrote these books because of my passion for learning new things, and I wanted to share my knowledge with those interested in the same topics. Children who are interested in the arts need more support (and motivation) to pursue their dreams. My books aim to give those young creatives confidence in their skills and push them to do their best work. I also run a small craft business, where I create and sell handmade keychains, stickers, and clay figures at various pop-ups across NYC. This blend of artistry and entrepreneurship has allowed me to connect with my community in meaningful ways.

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Additionally, I love to explore different mediums to help keep my mind active and produce unique products. Through my small business, DesignsByYaja, a pop-up shop and online store, I sell handmade crafts such as stickers, keychains, pins, stationary and charms. I have sold at multiple markets in New York, specifically in City Point BKLYN, Governor's Island, Dumbo Brooklyn and Boerum Hill. In July 2022, DesignsByYaja became a member of Made In NYC, a non-profit organization that supports crafters, artists and small businesses in New York. 

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I am currently studying for my MFA in Design for Social Innovation at the School of Visual Arts. I chose to join DSI because of its emphasis on working with the community. While I love creating beautiful works of art, I aspire to contribute to more impactful, long-lasting projects. In many ways, design thinking often focuses on solving problems at a surface level, but I believe it is essential to move beyond that framework. For me, creating meaningful work starts with fostering genuine, interpersonal relationships—listening deeply, understanding experiences, and building trust within the communities I aim to serve. By centering people over processes, I want to ensure that my designs are rooted in care, empathy, and shared understanding. My work is centered around world-building, care, and healing, with a focus on invoking empathy and building trusting relationships.