Marie Schmitt – The Designer Project

We’ve absolutely adored sharing the beautifully detailed work of Sydney-based designer Marie Schmitt and hope you’ve loved her designs as much as we have! Maries designs are modern and elegant creations that are sure to delight. To coincide with Marie’s ‘Natural Wonder’ collection being made available to all of our customers through our Fabric Shop online, the artist herself has put together a guest blog which we’ve shared below! The blog takes a closer look at Marie’s creative process, detailing every step from initial sketch to final design. The blog also includes gorgeous photographs and process images which really help tell the story of Marie’s work and the ‘Natural Wonder’ collection. Keep reading to find out more about Marie Schmitt and her stunning designs! 

Marie Schmitt

Hi, 

My name is Marie Maignan. Since I was a child, I loved to draw and I love nature. I developed my own style, drawing floral motifs with lines in different thickness and shape creating movement and elegance. 

I am born in France where I spend all my childhood. After a while living in Germany, I moved to Australia in Sydney with my family. The surrounding nature is fantastic source of inspiration. 

As an adult I really enjoyed again the pleasure of creation and drawing. It is such a magical moment. 

Marie’s Workspace

Marie’s Nature Inspiration

My designs start as hand drawn illustrations, line by line, first with pencil, then with my beloved Waterman ink pen. This way of using the lines create elegant motives, all in finesse, simple but with its own movement. Modern, graphic and somehow fascinating. 

These were then scanned using a printer to create a digital version. Once I had the scans, I then opened them up in photoshop and got started on cleaning up the background. Pretty much just removing everything in the file except the drawn motifs. 

Finesse Original Sketches

Once everything was nice and cleaned up, I started working on the layout, copying and rearranging the motifs to create a nice flowing design. Once I had a layout that worked and that I liked, I cropped it so that each side joined up to the other so that it would be seamless when you repeated the tile.  

From here, I made all my colour edits, changing the background colour and colour of my illustrations. 

Illustration Sketches

I am very happy to be given the opportunity to valorize my drawings and patterns with Digital Fabrics. I was so delighted by the first design project I did which was a wonderful cushion, that I thought it was maybe time to do more with my drawings and share them through the Designer Project by Digital Fabric. 

Thank you! 

Monstera Work in Progress Sketch

If you want to collaborate with us on The Designer Project and become part of this creative club, please apply! Send us an email with your portfolio and why you would like to be part of this initiative, and we will be in touch!