Phoebe Kut – Sketching Her Way From Passion to Profession

In the ever-evolving world of social media, where trends come and go with the swipe of a finger, it takes something special to stand out.

Phoebe Kut, an interior designer by trade and an illustrator at heart, managed to do just that. 

Within a year of sharing her unique texture illustrations on TikTok and Instagram, she became a viral sensation. We had the opportunity to talk to Phoebe and discuss her creative journey, the inspiration behind her work, and her insights on balancing life as a full-time content creator.

Photo by Tomo Godai

Phoebe’s love for making videos and creating content didn’t just appear overnight; it’s something she’s been passionate about since she was young. “Looking back now, I’ve always loved making videos, whether for school projects or just for fun,” she recalls. Her first few videos back when she was starting in 2022 were mainly about interior design tips. But it wasn’t until her final project presentation in an interior design class that she realized the potential of combining her skills with social media. Her classmates were in awe of her hand-rendering skills and eager to learn her techniques. This encouragement led Phoebe to create a quick tutorial on “how to draw concrete with alcohol markers” and share it on TikTok.

To her surprise, the video resonated with a wide audience, quickly going viral. “People were very receptive to that type of video, so I kept replicating the same video formula for different textures,” she explains. What began as a fun experiment turned into a signature style that set her apart in the crowded social media space.

Since then, Phoebe has fully embraced her role as a full-time content creator, balancing her time between client projects and producing high-quality videos. While her student days allowed for a more flexible schedule, she now prioritises quality over quantity, not pressuring herself to post several videos every day and allotting more time to client projects.

As a young and promising interior designer, staying ahead of design trends is crucial for Phoebe. She attributes her trend-spotting skills to the very platforms that made her famous—Instagram and TikTok. “I think design trends are moving into more personalisation of a space and focus on your own heritage as people are getting tired of beige, greige, and cookie-cutter spaces,” she observes. Brown tones, curves, and bouclé fabrics are still popular, but Phoebe notes that they’re being reimagined with fresh, new twists.

(For those who are unfamiliar with the terms, greige is a blend of beige and gray, and cookie-cutter spaces refer to rooms or homes that are generic and often follow a standardised design template.)

Lean into what you know best [...]. That way you can create your own type of content that isn’t based on just following trends. You want to ultimately provide value for your audience while being entertaining.

Phoebe’s success story is not just about following trends but also about leveraging her unique skills. For aspiring interior designers looking to make their mark on social media, her advice is simple: “Lean into what you know best about interior design and your own particular skills. Maybe you’re really great at 3D rendering or love making mood boards. For me, it was drawing by hand!” She believes that creating content rooted in one’s strengths and passions will naturally resonate with audiences. “You want to ultimately provide value for your audience while being entertaining,” she adds.