Art and Design Inspired by Mexico

Erica Gamet

Happy Mexican Independence Day!! What’s that I hear you saying? “It’s not even close to Cinco de Mayo, yet, Erica.” If that was you arguing with me, let me set the record straight. Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) is not Mexican Independence Day. Different battle, different enemy. September 16th is when Mexico celebrates its independence from Spain.

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I’m not here to give you a history lesson—which is good because I often mix up dates, battles, and famous generals—but rather to showcase the diversity that defines Mexican designs, culture, and heritage. From the Aztecs to the Mayans to the Spanish to the blended lineage throughout its population, rich artistic and cultural influences have woven themselves into the wonderful tapestry that has Mexico become.

Who doesn’t like coloring? Here is a Mexican folk art coloring book and some Aztec coloring pages to keep you busy.

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The designs on this downloadable pre-Hispanic tattoo art for sale would make quite a statement. On someone else’s arm.

This small collection of free vectorized Mayan symbols was designed for wood and metal work, but the chunky style is great for print, too.

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Want to make those little paper flags (papel picados) often seen flying above homes and town squares in Mexico? Here’s a tutorial.

Don’t have the patience to create an actual piece? How about a nice stock image, which could also be used as a template for the DIY-inclined.

I have long loved the designs on the Mexican lotería (bingo) cards. This fabric features a variety of those designs on a vintage-feel fabric.

I may often confuse the Aztec and Mayan cultures, but I am equally in love with the symbology of each. This vector set from iStock depicts some classic Mayan symbols in a whimsical style.

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The Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos)—and the artistry that goes along with it—is an intriguing and quite literally colorful tradition. This art print embodies the celebration beautifully.

This computer wallpaper features a Mayan calendar with a carved look and feel.

The Mexico Illustrated 1920-1950 book looks at graphic design examples from Mexico in the first half of the 20th century.

This collection of Mexican embroidery patterns on Pinterest is more robust than I would expect such a specific collection to be.

This teacher’s guide teaches kids how to draw an Aztec warrior, as well as highlights other cultural art lessons.

From cactus to Cuauhtemoc*, this fabric depicts a wide range of Mexican cultural references. *Most likely not Cuauhtemoc.

The colorful woodcarvings of Oaxaca come to life in one artist’s lively prints.

You might not know the name Lance Wyman, but you’re probably familiar with his modern and revolutionary logo and designs for the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico. This book provides a comprehensive retrospective on Wyman’s work.

Even more Day of the Dead goodness with this set of free Photoshop brushes.

If you need a set of the Tzolkin calendar day symbols, this set of vector icons is available for free on Wikimedia Commons. (Full disclosure: I created the originals from drawings made by a client who wanted to make a set freely available and in a vector format).

Sadly, if you do a search on images for Mexican Independence Day, you’ll get a lot of Cinco de Mayo images (along with ones that just aren’t, well, culturally sensitive). This artist—and you, by now—knows the difference and his portfolio is chock-full of colorful Mexican poster art with a vintage feel.