HELLO LIL’ FRIENDS!
MEET MALA—THE LITTLE DEVIL FROM WITHIN
If you haven’t guessed yet, Mala means ‘little’ in Slovene. But trust us, there’s nothing ‘little’ about this creative studio—except the playful energy and cheeky spirit that Maja brings to the table every single day.
Mala Maja is a one-woman powerhouse of design, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Led by Maja Kotar, a visual communications grad from the Academy of Fine Art and Design in Ljubljana (2019), this studio is anything but ordinary. Since then, Maja has immersed herself in the worlds of photography, graphic design, and ceramics, working with both local and international clients, brands, and agencies. Her work is known for its bold graphic language and creative fusion of handcraft with modern digital techniques.
Under the brand Mala Maja (est. in 2021), she produces unique ceramics, graphics, photographs, and other visual treats. Every piece she creates tells a story, blending analog materials with contemporary digital design in a way that’s both timeless and fresh.
MALA’s STORY
What began as a pop-up ceramics shop—born from an overflow of ceramic cups and mugs made during Ines Kovačič’s pottery lessons—has turned into Mala (Little) Maja’s creative playground. This little rebel embodies the untamed, creative spirit that refuses to sit still. Mala is the curious and devilish side of Maja who sticks out her tongue at the world and rolls her eyes at convention. She doesn’t do cookie-cutter. She’s all about asking “why,” diving hands-first into materials, and letting creativity flow unapologetically.
On the flip side, there’s Velika (Big) Maja. She’s the thinker, the planner, the one in crisp white office shirts who keeps things in line when Mala goes rogue. Velika is the voice of reason, handling damage control when creativity threatens to run amok.
They may be opposites—one running wild, the other holding the reins—but they can’t live without each other. For now, though, it’s best they stay in their lanes: Velika up in the head, and Mala... well, everywhere else. Together, they keep the magic alive.
