Tell us a little about yourself and what you do
I
have always been passionate about pattern, illustration and design and as a
girl I used to create stylised illustrations, add flourishes to my homework,
practise lettering. I had a creative upbringing and was given an early
foundation in design and typography from my father who owned his own printworks
and in colour and creativity from my mother, who is an artist. I went on to study
Colour Chemistry, which gave me a grounding in colour theory, dyes, pigments,
textiles and printing.
In
recent years I have become increasingly interested in design details and
patterns, and I am forever photographing and sketching sources of inspiration.
This passion, combined with experience in marketing, publishing and graphic
design, has led to the creation of Patterns Apart, my colour, print and pattern
design studio.
Who (or what) inspires you
to do what you love in your own creative business?
I
get my inspiration from the world around me, as I love to travel and to visit
new places. I always have a sketchbook and camera to hand to capture inspiring
details when I’m out and about: Art Nouveau details from an iron balcony in
Paris, tile patterns from a bar in Turkey, Portuguese mosaics from an old
mansion in Goa. My patterns therefore have a hint of the places I have visited
and a touch of nostalgia.
Happy Family
Where do you get your
inspiration from when you design?
I
generally trawl through my sketchbooks and photos looking for images that
reflect the particular idea I have in mind, and then I begin sketching straight
into illustrator using my Wacom stylus and tablet, adapting the designs as I
go. At this stage it is important to be precise, since this element will be
repeated many times within the design and then onto a variety of products. Once
I am happy with the repeated design then I colour the patterns using different
palettes.
What are the five words that
people who know you would use to describe you?
Creative,
determined, passionate, sociable, radiant
Tell us about your very
first job and what path have you taken since then?
I
started out in a general marketing role before specialising in the design and
production of marketing materials. I then moved into publishing, first in
magazines and then in investment banks. After my son was born, I set up as a
freelance designer, working on both graphic and interior design projects, but I
felt increasingly driven to start up my own product range. I launched Patterns
Apart with cards and prints last year, and since then the business has really
taken off, my product range has grown and my creativity has flourished.
Describe a typical day in
your studio
I
am usually at my desk by 8.30 with a steaming cup of coffee, checking emails
and getting prepared for the day. I like to be out and about in the morning,
networking, researching or meeting clients and then I usually work in my studio
for the rest of the day, working on a commission, coming up with a new product
range or preparing for an exhibition.
As an Artist, what is your
biggest frustration?
The
amount of time it takes to create my designs before I transfer them onto
products, from initial inspiration to final product, since I find it hard to
stop making refinements.
Tell us about how you
prioritise your work
I
usually prioritise commissions and bespoke work, although this can be a
juggling act if I have an exhibition coming up. However, I am always careful to
set aside time for creating new designs and planning new products.
Can you please tell us about
how do you connect with other artists, and your customers ?
I
regularly visit art and design exhibitions in London and elsewhere, and I often
visit Chelsea Harbour Design Centre to keep up to date with the latest trends
in the world of interiors. I always carry a few products with me and often drop
into small independent shops and galleries that I come across. I am a member of
a women’s networking group of dynamic entrepreneurs and attend meetings all
over Sussex, particularly Brighton, which is a creative hub.
What advice can you offer
other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?
Don’t
be afraid to show your work to others, just go for it. If you are designing
from your heart then this will be evident in your work and you will connect
emotionally with your market.
What dreams do you still
want to achieve or fulfil in your life?
To
see my designs in stores everywhere I go and to travel more.
What is your proudest moment
so far?
Being
chosen by a selection committee to showcase my work at Launchpad, an area for
talented new designers at the Pulse trade show at Earls Court in London next
summer.
Who do you most want to meet
and why?
Barbara
Hulanicki, founder of iconic fashion brand BIBA, because she transformed a
generation of style.
What is the most important
lesson in life that you have learned?
Follow
your passion and listen to your intuition
What book are you reading
right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?
I’ve
just finished ‘The Monk who sold his Ferrari’ by Robin Sharma, which is an
excellent book for anyone searching for their purpose.
Where do we find you and
your products?
Website:
www.patternsapart.com
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