(Botanical Rhapsody, ceramic artwork for Queensberry Hunt.)You have just launched a brand new collection, website and blog. Tell us everything?
Well the new website was long, long overdue. I created the old site myself and my sketchy use of dreamweaver really wasn't doing the work justice. As a designer based in Dundee, I work hard to maintain a constant presence within my industry and I do this through my website. The website is my shop front, a window into the studio, my international selling agent and my online portfolio, so it's vital that it creates the right impression and inspires people to find out more about my work.
(Punk Peacock and Delirium)The new wallpaper collection will be launched in September and investigates 2 new methods of working. Firstly, I explored the use of digital print in Punk Peacock - something I had sworn I would never do! However, big changes in digital print technology has lead to real developments in the quality of the print, and I feel the Punk Peacock design suits this process, and this scale, perfectly. The other new wallpaper, Delirium, is a bit self indulgent really. I wanted to created the most fantastically rich and tactile print and to use Swarovski Crystals in the design. Each 3 meter drop takes a pain staking 3 days to complete, but the results are just fantastic. I'm a bit biased, but I think it's wonderful, my best piece yet.
Much of your designs are in black and white. With reference to my blog poll. Would you choose a life without colour or a life without pattern?? It is such a difficult question, I know!
Oooh, this is tricky. I feel I should say pattern, being a textile designer specialising in monochromes and all, but if I'm honest... I couldn't live without colour, the world would be such an uninspiring void!
Besides Dundee, where else do you find your inspiration? Who are your favourite designers at the moment?
A lot of my inspiration comes from the rural North East of Scotland where I grew up. My parent's fish farm is an ever changing landscape that never fails to inspire. Favourite designers just now have to be Tord Boontje and graffiti artist Banksy.
(Elrick)You dabbled with the idea of moving to London. Tell us why you decided to stay in Dundee and what you love about the city?
I just hate London. So many people, so much noise, pollution, traffic, concrete and litter! To be honest, I just don't think I could have coped with the lifestyle down there. My work is so inspired by nature, that surrounding myself in concrete and tarmac just killed my creativity. I like wide open green spaces, fresh air and flowers...London just wasn't for me! Dundee has a strong creative network of people and a bustling arts scene. Its big enough that I can have a studio here and not feel isolated, but not so boxed in that I feel I can't breath.
(Paradox, hand printed labels for BrewDog, Chess Set, Collaboration with Lyle McCance.)And finally, what was the best advice you were given when starting out as a designer that you would like to pass on to others?
Be persistent. Its hard starting out and my first year was the toughest. Making that transition from being a student to being a professional designer was difficult. You must persevere though and keep fighting away to get your work noticed, people won't seek out your work, not matter how fabulous it is, you have to show it to them. Several times.
Many thanks Johanna!!
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