From an attic dream to real-world design: meet Made by Attic

Some stories naturally pull you in, and Made by Attic does just that. With a blend of passion, persistence, and an unwavering dedication to design, Eduina and Shpëtim have crafted something that resonates on both a personal and universal level. Their journey is filled with creative energy, and it’s impossible not to be intrigued by the work they produce and the story that fuels it.

(Introduction)

We are Eduina and Shpëtim, a creative duo brought together by our love for beautiful design and meaningful creativity. I am an Art Director and co-owner of Parallel, a graphic design studio in Tirana, Albania. Shpëtim works as a freelance Director of Photography for films and tv commercials.

Our shared passion for creativity has brought us together in life and inspired us to collaborate on artistic projects. Through Made by Attic, we combine our skills to create stunning mockups and design tools using 3D rendering, AI generation, and real photography.

What inspired the name “Made by Attic”? Does it hold a deeper meaning for you or your work?

The name Attic has a special story. In our early years as a couple, we dreamed of transforming the attic in Shpetim's parents' house into a studio for graphics and photography.

This attic sparked our vision to work together, and we stuck with the name even after moving to our own place. It serves as a reminder of our beginnings and initial efforts to create something as a team.

"Made by Attic" emerged later when we had the chance to collaborate, albeit in our spare time. It's all about showcasing our creations, maintaining ties with fellow creatives, and developing a worthwhile project together.

If you had to describe Made by Attic in three words, what would they be and why?

In just a trio of words, we think that Made by Attic can hit as: distinctive, immersive, and evocative.

Distinctive: Our mockups stand out because they combine AI visuals, 3D effects, and real-life photography. This mix helps us create designs and setups that feel one-of-a-kind and hard to find.

Immersive: We focus on depth and vibe when we design, so each mockup pulls you right into an experience by using different moods and photography presets.

Evocative: Our creations aim to make you feel something and share a tale. Dramatic lights, deep textures, or special compositions in our mockups are there to motivate and lift up whatever they're presenting.

Is Made by Attic more of a collaborative effort, or do you work independently on your projects?

We think Made by Attic is definitely a collaborative effort.

I (Eduina) focus on the design side, planning, creating, and refining the visual elements of our mockups, while Shpetim brings his expertise in photography and lighting to add depth and realism. It’s a back-and-forth process where we share ideas, critique each other’s work, and refine everything together to create something we’re both proud of. Of course, there are moments when we work independently, but we always come back to ensure everything feels cohesive and true to our style.

How do you decide what type of mockup to create next? Do trends or personal interests play a bigger role in your decisions?

We decide what mockups to create next by keeping an eye on trends and what designers frequently use, though we think that our unique approach and feel make our pieces stand out. While we focus on making mockups that are practical and relevant, like branding mockups, packaging, or outdoor ads, in the end we try to craft a distinctive aesthetic and vibe.

Your mockups are detailed yet remain clean and minimal. How do you achieve that balance?

In fact, we have a lot of unpublished and in-progress mockups with different styles, but our latest pack, “The Neutrals,” leans more into a clean, minimalistic vibe.

The idea is to keep the focus on the designer’s work, so we focus our work mainly on details like: lighting, textures and shadows, to make the mockup feel polished, without stealing the show.

Can you walk us through the journey of one of your collections, like “The Neutrals”? Where did the idea come from, and how did it evolve?

The Neutrals Mockup Collection was inspired by the idea of creating something timeless and adaptable: a collection that could work for any project without depending on trends.

We focused on soft tones and subtle textures, using a mix of photography, AI, 3D rendering to carefully craft the 10 mockups. The idea, as explained before, was about providing designers with images that elevate their work without overpowering it. This is in fact, one of the collections we plan to update regularly over time, adding new mockups to make it even more complete and versatile.

Who do you imagine using your mockups? Do you ever design with a specific type of designer or project in mind?

Since I have my own studio and work on a lot of creative projects in the cultural field, I often notice that many mockups lack that sense of atmosphere or mood we’re looking for. That’s why we focus on creating mockups that feel unique, with a special attention to style and character. At the same time, we will also offer cleaner and simpler mockups for designers who need something minimal and practical. (like The Neutrals Collection)

What’s the most memorable feedback you’ve received from someone using your mockups? How does feedback shape your future work?

Most of the feedback we’ve gotten so far has come from small freelance designers, and it’s always been really positive and uplifting. They often send us nice messages about how much they enjoy using our mockups, and many even ask about working together, which has been exciting for us as a new store.

But the most unforgettable moment happened just last week when a big design studio in the US bought everything in our shop. That was such a motivating milestone for us, it felt like a big confirmation of what we’re doing and has really pushed us to keep going and create even more unique collections.

Feedback like this guides everything we do because it shows us what designers care about and helps us stay focused on getting better.

Mockups are everywhere now. How do you ensure yours stand out and stay relevant in such a crowded space?

As previously mentioned, we try to make our mockups stand out by using different creative tools to create something special and one-of-a-kind.

Also, the focus on styles and moods that feel new and unique, add more depth and character to our work and the designers' work, inspiring and improving their projects.

Looking back at your journey with Made by Attic, is there a particular project or milestone that you’re most proud of?

We’re just starting out with Made by Attic, but what excites us the most is what’s coming up. We have a lot of ideas and designs that we’re working on, including our ongoing collection called “Heritage”. This collection is very special to us because it has a unique style and feel. Seeing all the projects we’re working on keeps us inspired, and we’re happy with the path we’re on as we grow and create something meaningful for the design world.

What’s been the biggest challenge in building Made by Attic, and what did you learn from it?

The hardest part of creating Made by Attic has been finding enough time to really focus on it. I already run a studio, and Shpetim is often tied up with his own work, so most of our spare time goes into this project we’re passionate about. Juggling everything can be tricky, but it’s also thrilling because we’re creating something we truly love and believe in. We hope that someday, we can grow Made by Attic bigger and give it the time and effort it needs. For now, we’re taking it step by step and making the most of the time we have.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in designing mockups or digital products?

If you're just starting out, our advice is to stay true to yourself and never stop learning. Don’t just stick to traditional ways: try out new tools, tech, and methods that can make your work better. Keeping up with the latest gear or software can help you shine in a competitive field. But most importantly, focus on making something that feels like you and shows your unique style.

Do you have any exciting projects or ideas you’re currently working on that you can share with us?

In the last few months, we’ve been creating more than 500 images that are now being turned into mockups. We’re really excited to see how they’ll make a difference once they’re out. Each mockup is being made with care to bring something special, whether it’s simple and flexible or full of mood and personality.

It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been worth it, and we’re eager to share these collections and see how designers use them to improve their projects.

Are there any areas of design you’d love to explore that are outside of what you’re currently doing?

We’ve definitely considered expanding into other areas, like making presets, LUTs for photography, or even 3D objects. These are things we’re really excited about and would love to add to our store someday. But for now, we’re keeping our focus on mockups. That’s where we started, and we want to make sure we create something solid before moving into other areas. Besides, through our regular jobs, we already get to explore other creative interests, so Made by Attic is all about perfecting mockups and making them as good as possible.

Thank You!

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