When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?
Ever since I was little I’ve been into arts and crafts, and in primary school I picked up the hobby of card making; I would spend whole days at the weekends just creating cards. My family members would ask me to create special cards for them to give to others and at one point I think I had my gran selling them to her friends! This is most likely where my interest in design first began, as it was the first experience I had of making something creative with a specific purpose.
What steps did you take to get to where you are now as a designer?
I always loved art at school, but it wasn’t until my A-Levels that I seriously considered doing an art course at university and making a career from my creativity (I was never one for thinking about my future much!). However, I hadn’t narrowed down which area I wanted to specialise in, so I chose to do Decorative Arts at Nottingham Trent, which allowed me to try out a wide range of different materials and crafts, both 2D and 3D. It was there that I began to focus on my drawing and became interested in digital fabric printing and scarf design, as I realised it was a great way to add a new dimension and purpose to my illustrations.
How would you describe your style/work?
My style is all about mark making and the interaction of colour. I like to paint in an expressive way that captures all the different textures of the scene I’m looking at, and then play around with colour until I find a balance I’m happy with. I love to create designs that people can visually explore and relate to in different ways.
What kind of designer do you want to be known as?
At the heart of my work is my illustrations, so I would like to be known for having a unique illustrative style, backed up by strong compositions and sophisticated colour palettes.
What are you currently working on?
I’ve started selling my work at different events so I’m currently planning for my next one, which is Lustre in Nottingham, for which I’m having some prints of my illustrations done to complement my scarf collection.
What would be your dream design gig?
To be asked to design a collection of illustrations and products for a stately house and garden!
Looking ahead what are your major goals for the next couple of years?
I want to start establishing my own silk scarf brand and get my designs stocked in shops, as well as carrying on developing and refining my style.
If you were a pattern what kind of pattern would you be and why?
Something a bit messy and colourful but with some structure; I like having routines but I also enjoy breaking them up by trying new things.
What advice would you give students who are interested in a career within the design industry?
Always bounce your ideas off of those around you, as people will have many different viewpoints and will be able to provide you with a fresh way of looking at your work and style.
Go check Rachel's pages out to find more:
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