Meet ChamJam, The Emerging Illustrator Behind FEMALE's Jan/Feb 2025 Cover
Popularly known as ChamJam on social media, this rising Singapore illustrator's work is replete with a comforting sense of child-like whimsy.
You might have seen FEMALE's latest cover on social media or on the newsstands and found it super cute (hopefully).
Helping to add an extra dose of playfulness to our cover was Singapore illustrator Charmaine Ng, popularly known by her moniker ChamJam, who created a series of whimsical drawings that turned our fashion shoot (and her first editorial commission!) into something straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.
The cover of the January/February 2025 Art Edition
Ng came from a background in product design, though she'd long nursed a soft spot for illustration, and took it upon herself to pick up the craft through online tutorials. Learning about digital art in 2020 gave her the push to turn a hobby into something that's now her full-time job – the 26-year-old opened her own accessories label ChamJam in 2021, specialising in adorable tchotchkes like washi tape and stickers.
With her signature child-like aesthetic calling to mind of '90s/'2000s cartoons like Akazukin Chacha, Ng's in perfect step with the current movement towards embracing all things cute, comforting and nostalgic – a great collaborator for FEMALE's annual Art Edition.
Read on to get a glimpse into her creative process.
Hi Charmaine! Tell us a little about yourself – how did you get into the field of illustration?
"Hello! I’m Charmaine, also known as Cham. I’m a self-taught artist with a background in Product Design. My illustration journey began when I got my first iPad. As someone who loves stories and imaginative worlds, I wanted to bring my own stories to life through my art, which was quite different from the technical drawings I did in school. I consider myself an illustrator because I enjoy transforming my artwork into physical products, such as stickers, stationery, and lifestyle goods, making my art both personal and functional."
I heard you started your label ChamJam during the pandemic – what prompted you to do so?
"When I started learning about digital art in 2020, I immediately knew I wanted to turn my illustrations into physical products. This led to the creation of my label, Chamjam, in 2021. At the time, I just wanted to see if I could make some money from my art – and it worked! Although things weren’t smooth sailing from the start, I’m very grateful to now be working on Chamjam full-time."
What influences or inspires your work?
"My work is mainly inspired by retro and old-school aesthetics. I love the vibrant colors found in vintage Japanese graphic posters, food packaging, '90s animation, and cool old tech. Nature also plays a huge role in my art, inspiring the whimsy and organic feel of my scenes.
The cartoons that have impacted my art are mainly from Studio Ghibli, with Ponyo being my favorite of them all! The color palette in their films really inspires me. I learned how to draw mostly by watching YouTube tutorials, researching how to paint from art books like Light and Colour by James Gurney, and also by learning from my sister, a fine art artist (@jocelynnjq on Instagram), who I always go to for feedback. I remember setting a strict goal to learn human anatomy for a month. I spent a lot of time in my room, just practicing with pencil and paper, doing nothing else. It was a very memorable time!"
On the point about retro aesthetics, why do you think youths are so obsessed with nostalgia?
"I think it’s the comfort that nostalgia brings, which is why I often explore this theme in my art. I love drawing scenes and elements from the past – like characters enjoying simple pleasures, such as catching fish, watching television, and playing with bubbles. These slice-of-life moments are slowly fading as we grow older, which is why they feel so special."
Tell us about the work you created for this project with FEMALE.
“I was given the opportunity to illustrate the cover and some inner pages for the magazine's Jan/Feb'25 issue. My main concept for the illustrations was to create whimsical, surrealist imagery, such as plants growing out of the model and fish swimming through the sky (pictured). The goal was to craft imaginative visuals that would spark a sense of fun and wonder on the pages for FEMALE's readers.”
Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your illustrations?
"My illustration journey began with a sense of curiosity, and through my whimsical art, I hope to create a sense of wonder while offering a bit of comfort. I aim to evoke feelings of joy and nostalgia, encouraging others to reconnect with their inner child."
What would you say are your favourite moments to date with your practice?
"One of my proudest achievements this year has been sharing my art with people overseas – selling my products at conventions in Taiwan (llustration Taipei) and Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur Illustration Festival) was something I’ve always dreamed of. Actually making it happen has given me the confidence to keep creating and has shown me just how much further I can go with my art."