What is your name/age/job title?

My name is Hennie Haworth (pictured above right). I am 29 years old and I'm a freelance illustrator.

What one thing do you wish you had known at the start of your career that you know now?

Not to be so impatient with work, to take your time and make it good (but still meet your deadlines). Try not to do too many things at once. It's better to do less but do it well. Personal projects are very important and are often the work you're most proud of, so keep doing lots of those!

Remember to listen to other people's opinions. Even if you think they are wrong, try it out before you make your mind up.

If you could go back and give your younger self any practical advice, what would it be?

Experiment with loads of things and don't worry if they come out different to how you'd expected them. Don't be too precious with your work. Look around at other people's work and influences, and try to find out what it is that you like about them.

Learn how to use the relevant computer software. It'll be really useful and you can become much more independent. Also think about skills you can use in other areas of your life, such as web design.

Do lots of the unpaid drawings. It's hard work, but you never know who will see it or where the people you are working with will go next.

If someone had told your 16-year-old self that you would be a successful illustrator, would have believed them? Or did you have other ambitions?

I always liked art and design so I don't think I would have been too shocked. I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do at 16, and I didn't even know that illustration was a job. Would have been good to know!

Is there a single thing that you wish you’d known about when you started out? Something that has shaped the way you work today?

I hadn’t realised that Photoshop would be so important. I didn't use it the whole time I was at university and had to teach myself after I left. I'm still discovering lots of new things I can do with it now!

Is there a project of which you are particularly proud?

I recently started designing and producing my own range of things: cards, tea towels and so on. I'm putting all the free time I have into it, as it's such a pleasure to have complete creative control. The first few things are up on my website shop already.

What would you consider your ‘big break’? And how did you get it?

I had been doing lots of work for free to build up a portfolio, so it was very exciting to get my first few paid commissions with the Guardian and Time Out. At about the same time I got asked to design a range for Habitat. I've learned so much since then, I wish I could have another go now!

Take a look at Hennie's work.