Paper and Cloth are a surface pattern design studio producing designs for womens, interiors, stationery and kids. They focus on designers with good illustration skills and promote them individually. 'We promote each of our designers under their own name because we passionately believe in promoting talented designers to industry and clients being able to commission specific individuals.'
Image and quote accessed at http://www.paperandcloth.net/
I was lucky enough to meet the director, Jennie Rivers, in April 2010. She gave me some good advice about the industry and how her studio works, and also feedback on my own work.
Most of the designers at Paper and Cloth use Illustrator and vector based graphics over Photshop. She believes this is the way forward.
Most work is hand drawn/ illustrated, then scanned and worked into. They like to keep the hand drawn effect.
Good drawing skills are an advantage/bonus in the design world and you can make good money from this.
The Industry is very competitive and therefore she prefers quality over quantity. Jennie Rivers informed me that she would much rather her designers take longer to produce a design to get that special quality.
Visit trade shows to keep up with trends, colours etc.
Network e.g. blogs, portfolio, studio visits. Link your blog to as many people/designers as possible to get noticed and promote yourself, it will get you work.
Research is vital to stay ahead of trends. Look what is going on in the world around you e.g. politics, economics, mood, colours, trends - these are all influences on the industry.
Clients always want something new and edgy.
Buyers at trade fairs have a range plan, direction, colour palette and an open to buy policy.
The designers at Paper and Cloth are expected to do 15-20 designs per week and expect to sell 30-40% of these.
People are fickle so push different looks of illustration but keep your own style.
Designers at Paper and Cloth are promoted under their own name.
Think about how a studio will notice you -research them, illustrate your surface pattern skills, graphic balance and colour balance.
Creative Commons - go online here to get a license for protecting your work - very important.
If you are showing your portfolio to and agency/studio then do not let them take it out of the room as they might make copies of it!
If you do free-lance work you are likely to wait 90 days for payment.
Stand out - always look at what is developing, keep learning, and stay up to date with computer programmes.
Jennie Rivers also works an agent and takes 40% of the sale of a design. Designs sell for £375 in Europe, so the free-lancer receives £275 of this, and $650 in America where the free-lancer will receive $444.
Be versatile - if you are work loose e.g. mark-making then try doing a tight paisley or russian folklore style so that you attract different people making you more employable.
Animal prints are very commercial and good sellers.
Do not let your portfolio be too cool - buyers will not go for it! If you send your CV out to studio's etc, make and impression i.e. think about the presentation of it. Perhaps make it into a brochure.
Feedback on my work
Florals - good to be versatile, draw different ways - for gift cards, fashion, interiors.
Show flexibility as a surface pattern designer.
Illustrations in my sketchbook would easily go into illustrator and would not have to be changed much - keep the hand drawn effect.
I can charge more money for hand drawing designs initially.
I should look at illustration and graphic magazines to influence my work e.g. key lines in illustrator. Scan in work and work with key lines.
Likes my drawings and style - different.
Work digitallly - trace work to scan in and make it clear. Take elements and use lassoo tool to move things around.
Get work to look visual - put into garment shapes - sells it.
Look at Print Source trade show.
Research Carolina York - she hand paints designs. Also Lush Lampshades and Angie Lewin (artist in Norfolk).
My meeting with Jennie Rivers was was very interesting and informative. She was great to talk to and ask questions, and told us we could email her for any further information or advice. She complimented my work and style which was an added bonus!
Image found at http://www.glamourvanity.com/Images/lady-gaga-2010-brit-awards-winner.jpg
Image found at http://www.manchesterad.com/1mg/areaguide/nq/MAGMA.jpg. Magma book store is fantastic for artists/designers. It stocks every creative magazine you can think of and books too. Also sells quirky gifts and stationery etc. Definitely worth a visit, situated in the trendy Northern Quarter, Manchester.
Image found at http://www.farm2.static.flickr.com/1324/682697178_54a3eb3fd2.jpg Leon's is a great fabric store located in Chorlton, Manchester. It stocks a good range of material, threads, and garment patterns etc. I recently bought some Bennet's silk from here. They do not stock it, but have a sample book for you to look at and place an order. It arrived 2 days later, so did'nt have to wait too long. It was worth the wait as it is such good quality. Recommend a trip here if you are planning on dress-making etc. Also have a good range of fabrics for home furnishings.
Image found at http://www.urbis.org.uk/pictures/designmuseum-matthew-williamson-exhibition-4-design-muse...
Image found at http://www.ldomdesigns.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/piclanewheelbarrowblog-746899jpg Cal Lane is a sculptor whose work excites me. I love the fact that her artworks are formed from mundane waste such as oil drums and metal objects e.g. wheelbarrows and shovels. She transforms them into, lacy, ornate metal artworks by welding intricate patterns into them but they still retain the perfect shape/outline of the object, a sort of silhouette. The bold outline of the object contrasts beautifully with the smaller detail contained within it. I am drawn to the rawness of the steel. It gives a sense of earthiness, a sort of organic quality. Its masculine and feminine at the same time. Unique!
Image found at http://www.designsabroad.com/designers/000011/portrait.jpg
