Tag Archives: colors to inspire

Meet the Designer – Tessa Jones

Meet our newest featured designer in the Designer Project, Tessa Jones. Dive into her world of creativity and innovation as we explore her unique design journey. Get ready to be inspired by Tessa’s captivating designs and artistic vision. Let’s embark on a journey through the extraordinary work of this talented designer. 

Keep reading to find out more! 

Hello My name is Tessa Jones and I am the creative brain behind “The Welshman’s Wife”. I’m excited to share the process behind my surface design creations. From concept to the final product, every step is a labor of love, and I hope this glimpse into my world inspires fellow artists and design enthusiasts alike.

The very first step in my surface design process is finding inspiration. This can come from anywhere – a walk in the park, a holiday, a book, or even a conversation. For many of my designs my inspiration is drawn from nature, particularly flowers and fauna, this tends to be the starting point of most of my designs as it is an unwavering source of inspiration.

After pinpointing my inspiration, I dive into research. I collect photos, images, colours, and textures that align with my vision. Creating a mood board helps me visualise the overall aesthetic and ensures I stay on track throughout the creative process.

With my mood board as a guide, I start sketching my initial ideas. These sketches are rough and exploratory, helping me test different patterns and compositions. It’s a critical phase where I let my creativity flow freely, allowing for unexpected discoveries. I generally only sketch in pencil in my visual diary, pencil albeit simple is my favourite medium. I draw many sketches and motifs and will also write and plan pattern and design layouts.

Once I’m satisfied with my sketches, I move on to digitalisation. I use Adobe Fresco and sometimes procreate for this process, I am a bit of a vector nerd, so everything will end up as vectors in Adobe Illustrator in the end, as this is where I build my repeats. I generally take a photo of my sketch in Fresco and then draw it in here, I really love the vector brushes, and building it in Fresco allows me to work seamlessly across the Adobe suite.

Choosing the right colour palette is crucial and can completely transform a design, both positively or negatively. I tend to look at colour as a whole topic of its own, there will be days when I feel colour inspired, whether it be from a photo or image and I dedicate time to build colour palettes and save them for another time, this way I always have colours to choose from and I am not forcing myself to create colour palettes when I‘m not so inspired. I tend to work with several colour palettes at a time and when building my design I experiment with them, this is one of my favourite parts of the process.

With all of my digital artwork and colours at hand, I start creating my patterns, I generally start with my hero prints or more complex prints, as this works to my strengths, I find these come to me more easily than the simpler prints and co-ordinates, these set the tone for the collection and my big vision for how I see my collection transpiring.

I print my designs on paper first, this is cost effective and a great way to look at the designs and scale before sending them to my fabric printer, although colour will not be accurate it gives me a good idea of the design and scale and how the collection works as a whole. I can lay them all out and see which designs work well together and which don’t and get a real feel for the collection.

After making any needed tweaks, I’ll finalise the collection, this includes preparing the files for print, ensuring they meet the technical requirements of various printing methods. I’ll then order my first lot of fabric samples, once they arrive, they are either approved or amended, generally if anything needs to be changed it is usually the colour, as sometimes due to different fabric printers does not translate as I would like it to, but this is easily rectified, and with experience this tends to get less as I build a library of colours I love and I know print well.

My designs are not only applied to fabric but an array of products such as stationery, wallpaper, home decor, and more. The application process involves working with manufacturers and printers to bring my creations to life, and it never gets dull seeing my artwork on all of these amazing products.

My surface design creation process is a deeply rewarding journey of creativity and self-expression. It’s a testament to the power of inspiration, research, and hard work. I hope this glimpse into my creative world inspires you to embark on your own artistic journeys and never stop seeking inspiration in the beauty of the world around you. Thank you for joining me on this creative adventure!

 

Grandma’s cupboard is a selection of vintage and retro inspired prints. They showcase Tessa’s typical soft and feminine style with a strong focus on florals and fauna.

Meet the Designer – Bella Handreck

Introducing Bella Handreck, the next featured designer in The Designer Project. Bella’s Meadow Collection captures the rest and magic of a safe place, and invites you to envision your own meadow full of all your favourite things. In this blog post, we’ll explore Bella’s artistic process. We’ll delve into her inspirations and the story behind each piece in the Meadow Collection. Join us as we uncover the essence of her work and the passion that drives her creativity.

Profile Photo

Hi! I’m Bella Handreck, a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Melbourne. I’m so excited to finally be able to share the Meadow Collection with the world – it’s been my first foray into pattern design, and I’m so proud of what Digital Fabrics and I have been able to make together.

Moodboard

The Meadow Collection is based on a fictional hilltop that I often think of as my ‘happy place’. It’s a place that’s become quite real to me over the years, and something I associate with true rest and peace and just that simple joy you can only really find by slowing down and appreciating what’s around you. I wanted to capture many different elements of the place in this collection, and have all the patterns tell a bit of a story.

Workspace

I created this collection in the renovated garden shed I use as my studio, and it really was the perfect space for the process. I have a large L desk – one side has my laptop and monitor and everything I need for creating digitally, and the other I can leave paint and sketchbooks and process pieces out on. It was so helpful to have different zones set up, so I could jump between tasks and pieces as I needed to.

Design WIP

It was important to me to use a variety of mediums when creating this collection, so I started out with gouache. Gouache and I are fairly new friends, but we’ve grown quite fond of each other in a short time. My “Garden Rug” piece came together almost too easily in the gouache, I love how the brushstrokes capture the whimsy and texture a field of wildflowers has. I also painted the test for what became Garden Gingham in gouache, but ended up creating it digitally in Procreate so I could ensure the lines were all perfectly even widths to make repeating the artwork seamless.

Sketchbook

Most of the other artworks were created wholly digitally – when trying to achieve more detail and balance in a design, like in Petal Postcards or Picnic Spread, I can’t get past how helpful the zoom and undo tools are. Creating digitally helps keep the pressure off too, so I’ll almost always start there and then if I’m really missing the texture you get from paint, I’ll move across to a sketchbook.

I ended up with quite a few small scale patterns in this collection, so kept the detail and texture to a minimum to really let the quality of Digital Fabrics’ stock shine through. I’m excited to get my hands on some actual prints, as I know they’ll really come to life on fabric.

As a sewist myself, I had projects in mind as I was creating these patterns. I’m dying to make a loose pinafore style dress out of Tiny Tulips, while Picnic Spread is begging to be turned into some simple shorts for spring.

I find it so grounding to surround myself with small things I really love to remind me of how bright and hopeful the world truly is when it seems otherwise; my hope is that these patterns can be that for you! I’m really excited to see what our community makes with these artworks, and feel so grateful to be apart of your lives in some small way.

 

The Meadow Collection is inspired by artist Bella Handreck’s happy place, a fictional meadow where the grass is vibrant and lush, there are wildflowers so thick underfoot they act as carpet, and the fresh air carries the sweetness only a mountain meadow can. This collection captures the rest and magic of a safe place, and invites you to envision your own meadow full of all your favourite things.

Meet the Designer – Clare Martin

Introducing the visionary behind our current featured fabric prints – Clare Martin! In this blog post, we will explore some behind the scenes of her start in surface pattern design as well as what inspires her work. You’ll also get an inside look at her unique creative process and discover how she transforms ideas into stunning projects. Keep on reading to find out more!

Clare Martin

Hi everyone, I’m Clare, a surface pattern designer and illustrator living by the sea in Fremantle.

Workspace

Almost all my childhood memories involve either drawing or doing some crafty activity, so when I left school there was no question that I’d get a job doing something that involved art. After school I
studied fashion design and later went to uni to get a Degree in Graphic Design, working for many years as a graphic designer. About 5 years ago I discovered the beautiful, creative world of surface
pattern design and am so happy I did! I get inspired by interesting plants and animals, with their gorgeous colours, textures and patterns, everyday things, and vintage objects I remember from growing up in the seventies. My aim is to create joyful, colourful designs full of whimsy, texture and details that will make you smile; art that you’ll want to surround yourself with everyday!

Australian Wildflowers Layout

When I start a project, I’ll either search my photo library for images of what I want to draw or I’ll look for photos to reference on Pinterest. All my designs are drawn by hand, some start off as drawings in my sketchbook, or on watercolour paper, either with black markers or my trusty nib pen and ink. I love the quality of linework you get with a nib pen, ink sploodges and all. Depending on the type of artwork I want to create and how I’m feeling, sometimes I’ll paint on watercolour paper with watercolours or inks instead, and work over it with the nib pen or add some coloured pencil. Everything gets scanned and then digitised in either Illustrator of Photoshop, or a combination of both, depending on the materials I’ve used, the effect I want to achieve and whether it’s going to be a repeat pattern or an illustration.


Colour is a huge part of the design process for me, I love it, it makes me eyeballs sing, so I spend a lot of time getting just the right colour combination for each design. I love putting my designs into collections, using pattern, scale and colour to match it all together to create something interesting and harmonious.

Australian Wildflowers WIP

I’m really excited to be joining the other fab designers here who have a collection of prints available with Digital Fabrics. You can follow along with me on instagram @claremartindesign, and please feel
free to tag me so I can see what you make, I’d love to see your amazing creations!

My website link is: https://www.claremartindesign.com.au/
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/claremartindesign/

Meet the Designer – Lynn Priestley

Meet Lynn Priestly, the creative force behind the enchanting designs of the ‘Wild and Winged’ collection. Her unique approach blends imagination with artistry. In this blog post, we’ll explore her whimsical design process. Discover how Lynn transforms ideas into captivating creations. Join us as we unveil the magic that makes her work truly special.

Lynn Priestley

In a world where creativity knows no bounds, I find my muse in the whimsical and beautiful. Crafting designs that breathe life into imagination is not just a passion but a delightful journey I embark on every day. It all starts with a spark of inspiration. Whether it’s a vibrant sunset, a playful childhood memory, or the intricate patterns of nature, I draw inspiration from the world around me. I keep my senses open, ready to capture that fleeting moment that can ignite a whimsical masterpiece.

Workspace

Colour is the language of emotions, and in my design process, it’s where the magic truly begins. I carefully select a palette that resonates with the theme and emotions I want to convey. Vibrant hues and so[ pastels often find their way into my creations, creating a visual symphony that dances before your eyes.

Moodboard

With inspiration and colours in my arsenal, I start sketching. Pencil and paper become my best friends as I translate the images in my mind, usually hand sketched on paper to begin with and then digitally as the work progresses. These initial sketches are like the blueprint of a dream, a whimsical outline of what’s to come.

Sketches

In today’s digital age, once my sketches make their way into the digital realm, I add intricate details, experiment with different textures, and weave the whimsy into my designs. Digital tools offer boundless possibilities, allowing me to refine and enhance my creations.

Workspace

Design, for me, is a playful journey. I iterate, experiment, and sometimes, start over. Each iteration brings me closer to capturing the essence of whimsy and beauty I am after. It’s like a puzzle coming together, piece by piece, until the final picture emerges.

Final Design

When I finally step back and look at the finished design, it’s a moment of pure joy. The whimsical beauty I envisioned has taken form, and I can’t help but smile. It’s a testament to the magic of creativity, where ideas become tangible works of art. The beauty of whimsical design is in sharing it with the world. I believe that art should evoke emotions, tell stories, and bring joy. That’s why I’m eager to share my creations with you, hoping that they might add a touch of magic and wonder to your world.

Bandicoots by Night Mockup

And there you have it – a glimpse into my whimsical design process. It’s a journey where inspiration meets imagination, where colours and sketches blend into something beautiful and magical. So, next time you see one of my designs, know that it’s crafted with love and a sprinkle of whimsy, just for you.

The ‘Wild and Winged‘ fabric collection showcases a delightful exploration of colours, textures, and aesthetics. With a deep love for joyful and beautiful design, Lynn strives to infuse every piece she crafts with a sense of wonder and delight.

Meet the Designer – Tara Royle

Meet Tara Royle; Illustrator and Emerging Fine Artist from Tasmania! In this feature, we’ll delve into the creative world of our upcoming designer, showcasing Tara’s cute and cozy style and inspirations. Join us as we explore the behind-the-scenes of her creative process and what what drives her artistic vision. Keep on reading to find out more! 

Tara Royle

Hi there, lovely readers! My name is Tara Royle.  I’m a 21-year-old signed illustrator and emerging fine artist from the little island of Tasmania, Australia. I create cute and often humorous pieces that depict animals and human figures, aiming to capture the unique, imagined and human like qualities of these characters. Recently, I’ve decided to take an exciting leap into textile design and pattern making, and I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my curated collection of patterns in collaboration with Digital Fabrics Fabric Shop! 

Studio Space

My love for animals, especially cats, is a significant source of inspiration for my work. I have two adorable kitties who bring joy and warmth to my creative process, often keeping me company as I bring my visions to life. Alongside my passion for furry friends, I have a deep appreciation for all things vintage and retro, which reflects in my work. I’m particularly drawn to pastel colors and pretty aesthetics, and I aim to infuse these elements into each pattern I create. 

I’m excited to share that my patterns can be featured on a variety of products, making them perfect for all kinds of creative projects. Whether you’re looking to add a splash of fun to women’s and children’s clothing, design unique bags, or create cozy cushions or bed spreads, my designs offer endless possibilities. Each pattern is crafted with love and can elevate any piece, turning everyday items into cheerful, and unique artistic statements. 

Mushrooms & Ferns – Brown

My home studio is a cozy haven nestled on a mountain in the forest, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature. Wallabies roam freely among the trees, providing a constant source of inspiration and a reminder of the unique wildlife that Tasmania offers. This tranquil environment fuels my creativity and allows me to explore my artistic passions fully. 

When I’m not creating, you can often find me baking delicious treats, hiking in my forest, practicing pilates, or taking a refreshing dip in the icy Tasmanian waters I call home. Each of these activities contribute to my artistic process, helping me find balance and inspiration in my daily life. 

Illustration in Progress (ft. kitty)

I’m very excited to share this new chapter of my creative journey with you all. If you’d like to follow along and see what I’m up to, please connect with me on my Instagram @wallabymountain 

I’d love to hear your thoughts and share my passion for art, design, and all things whimsy and cute.  

Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me and my work. I can’t wait to see how you all engage with my patterns, and I hope they bring a touch of joy and creativity to your projects! 

 

The Paws & Pastel collection features the sweetest flora and fauna motifs, in a range of complimenting colourways! Each fabric can work for a range of both women’s and children fashion and perhaps home home projects too!

Meet the Designer – Anzela Simcock

Next up as our featured artist in The Designer Project is the wonderful Anzela Simcock – with not one…but two textile collections ‘Stitch & Spark’ & ‘Summer Shore near the Tropics’!  

As part of Anzela’s feature, the designer has also put together a guest blog which details her typical creative process as well as the things that inspire her! Keep reading to find out more!  

Anzela Simcock

I’m Anzela Simcock, a Latvian-Australian surface pattern designer, driven by a profound passion for transforming joyful art and digital elements into fabrics, wallpaper and other surface patterns. Join me on an immersive journey through my unique artistic styles and enchanting creations, inspired by the fusion of my Latvian heritage, Australian surroundings and experiences, and the cherished moments with my children, family and garden. 

Mouse pad with one her designs

Nature and the power of mind, a constant muse, ignites my creative spark. The vast landscapes of Australia and the natural wonders of Latvia intertwine in my designs, capturing the essence of their beauty. From the serene beauty of Australian flora to the whimsical charm of Latvian gardens, my patterns embody the vibrant colours, delicate textures, and ethereal allure found in these enchanting environments. 

Abstract art becomes my canvas for exploration, enabling me to transcend artistic boundaries. Drawing from my Latvian heritage’s rich artistic traditions and the multicultural influences of Australia, my abstract creations take on a diverse and thought-provoking form. Through intricate patterns, bold shapes, and adventurous colour palettes, I invite you to delve into a realm of imagination, where emotions are evoked, and connections are forged. 

Creative Office Space

As a Latvian-Australian surface pattern designer, I celebrate the nostalgia and cultural fusion that shape my artistic expression. Inspired by the beloved memories of my Latvian roots and the vibrant tapestry of Australian life, my designs pay homage to iconic eras and cherished moments. From the rhythmic beats of Australian culture to the folklore of Latvia, I intertwine these influences to create patterns that transport you through time and celebrate the beauty of cultural diversity. 

As a devoted mother, the laughter and innocence of my children inspire a profound sense of creativity within me. Their joy and curiosity find expression in my designs, adding a touch of whimsy and playfulness. Moreover, my beloved garden, an oasis of tranquillity, serves as a wellspring of inspiration. The vibrant blooms, delicate petals, and gentle rhythms of nature’s symphony find their way into my designs, evoking a sense of serenity and harmony. 

Anzela and her youngest helper

The Stitch & Spark Textile Collection offers a delightful blend of fun graphics, playful colors, and a fresh take on traditional designs. The combination of these elements creates a unique and vibrant aesthetic that is sure to add a touch of whimsy to any home decor. Summer Shore near the Tropics Collection is where warm minimalist coastal prints meet vibrant tropical motifs. Clean lines and an earthy palette celebrate laid back beach side living, while bold, saturated hues capture the energy of nearby lush rain forests. Ideal for summery projects seeking timeless simplicity accented by vibrant pops of natural wonder. 

These designs would be great for a range of both Fashion & Interior projects! Each of Anzela’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online to view the whole collection and choose your favourite fabric! 

Meet the Designer – Cassandra Ferguson

Next up as our featured artist in The Designer Project is the super-talented Cassandra Feguson or better known as The Digi Dame – with her incredible fabric collection!  

She has put together the most wonderful blog post, diving deep into her creative process and inspirations for creating these amazing designs. Keep on reading to find out more! 

Cassandra Ferguson

Hi everyone, I’m Cassandra, aka The Digi Dame! I am thrilled to join the Designer Project at Digital Fabrics! I’m a brand designer from Western Sydney, who loves bold colour and joyful design. With a background in graphic design, I’ve recently delved into the world of surface pattern design; I am really enjoying the process of developing this new skillset and loving the freedom it gives me to get back to drawing.  

From the time I could hold a pencil in my hand as a young child, I was drawing. In adulthood, this favourite pastime took a back seat as life got in the way, as it often does. I served in the Australian Navy, worked in Makeup Artistry and became a mum before finally finding my groove in graphic design in my thirties, by chance! It was then that my love for design, colour and creativity was beautifully reignited. Now, with my recent immersion into surface pattern design, my love for freehand drawing has been reimagined in digital format.  

Sunday Funday W.I.P

My design style is colourful and abstract with an imperfect hand-drawn feel. I love creating bold patterns on a large scale for maximum impact. Some of my patterns can appear a bit folksy, but folk art is not where my influence lies. My favourite artists have always been the 19th century impressionists of France; particularly the thin brush strokes applied adjacent to each other. So perhaps that’s where the decorative strokes in my work come from.  

When I’m not designing for a client and therefore not following a brief, I’m inspired by the colours, textures and diversity of the Australian landscape and Aussie icons. I will often refer to photographs of chosen subjects, rather than draw from memory, and in this way, I can find direction for colour palettes and design layouts. The process is pretty fluid and informal – I will usually draw the motifs and elements in black and white first, then add colour, then make placements to form the pattern layout.   

Sunday Funday Moodboard

When designing for a client, my process is much more defined; beginning with the design brief and brand research, then developing moodboards and style direction before commencing any solid designs for the client. I work predominately in Adobe Illustrator – I feel most comfortable working with vectors. I love the scalability, and Illustrator best suits my drawing style and use of block colour. I draw digitally using a Wacom tablet, directly onto my laptop touchscreen or using my mouse. I don’t use any other device like a tablet; I like the simplicity of doing all my design work on a single device using Illustrator.  

I don’t have a dedicated home studio; I’m always in awe of other designers’ gorgeous workspaces! But I make it work and love what I do. Oh, and one last thing about me? I work better with cake! Thank you for taking a peek into my creative little corner of the world! 

Her design style is bright and colourful, hand-drawn and abstract, with Australian elements as a strong inspiration. She particularly loves to create wildly colourful patterns and collections that are based upon our Aussie landscape, flora and fauna (which is greatly reflected in her fabric collection) 

Meet the Designer – Melissa Hamlyn

Meet our newest featured designer in the Designer Project, Melissa Hamlyn. Dive into her world of creativity and innovation as we explore her unique design journey. Get ready to be inspired by Melissa’s captivating designs and artistic vision. Let’s embark on a journey through the extraordinary work of this talented designer. 

Keep reading to find out more! 

Melissa Hamlyn

Welcome! I’m Melissa Hamlyn, creator of Painted Lady Studio. I’ve been working with various materials for years now, but have only recently begun creating my own surface design patterns as well as writing blogs about art and design! 

Mood Board

My creations often feature bold colours and patterns made using digital and traditional printing techniques. I enjoy experimenting with new materials and techniques, which is part of what makes my designs unique. I love to sketch and test with scale and materials such as paint, markers and pen as well as styles such as realistic, abstract and geometric.  Over the course of my university studies I had a tactile and sculptural practice and I experimented with different mediums such as fabric, wood and plastic – these too have influenced how I think about making two-dimensional art. 

Studio Space

I have a passion for pattern, colour and texture. My work is an exploration of these things. Once I’ve settled on some sketches I scan and experiment with the image in Photoshop and Illustrator where I introduce textures and motifs I’ve made like marble effects, ginghams and shiny foils.  I then begin to finalise each hero design so that it has a strong graphic impact and then I mix and match coordinates to make a collection or sometimes a design all on its own! 

When choosing co-ordinates I focus on colour, never limit myself to just one colour palette and use a colour wheel to help me choose colour pairings that work well together as well as complimentary colours and contrasting shades of the same colour, this helps to create a bold look that is eye-catching but not too overbearing. 

Design Work in Progress

In addition I mix different prints together – floral prints with stripes, polka dots prints with stripes, polka dots with checks, anything goes! A strong graphic look and feel is my aim and I love to include a little bit of humour in my coordinates too. I love the classic look but I like to add a twist by using modern prints and colours that make my designs stand out from other patterns and designs.

 

The Mosaic Blooms collection features a series of prints, that have been cherry picked from various pointcanvas of Melissa’s surface pattern designer life and captures the approach she takes with each new design idea! We think these prints would work best for Home & Interior projects and fashion accessories such as scarves. Each of Melissa’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online to view the whole collection and choose your favourite fabric! 

Meet the Designer – Julia Reader

Welcoming the talented Julia Reader as our next featured artist in The Designer Project – along with her wonderful fabric collection ‘Flowers & Foliage’ 

To coincide with Julia’s fabrics being available in our Fabric Shop, she has also put together a guest blog which shares some background information about the artist herself, the inspiration for the collection and how Julia likes to work creatively. The blog is simply a joy to read! Keep reading to find out more! 

Julia Reader

Hello! My name is Julia and I am the graphic designer and artist behind Julia Reader Creates! I work from a small light-filled studio in Mount Gambier, South Australia in which I sell a small range of creative products from original art and textiles to paper goods. I also teach watercolour from a large, refurbished farm-house table! 

Watercolour paintings that will transfer to a pattern.

I live in the lovely Limestone Coast of South Australia. I am surrounded by nature and it fuels all of my creativity. I have a particular fascination with Australian native flora and fauna, but do love a dahlia too! 

Princess Gum flower – design inspiration

My creative process usually starts with a photo that I have taken. My phone is filled with videos and photos of plants and their flowers – it’s a creative library of sorts. This library sits idle until I have a brush in hand, of which I search for the image that talks to me the most. A lot of the time I have no idea what I will create, and I love the spontaneity of that. Some of my best work has arrived from having fun and experimenting. I also have a love for colour and this finds its way into my work naturally. 

Watercolour paintings that will transfer to a pattern.

I scan in my watercolour paintings and clean up the elements that I plan to use in my pattern. This can take quite a while to do, and oftentimes I don’t use everything that I paint. I tweak colours and layout until I am happy, and will also apply the pattern to a mock-up file just to see how the pattern will transfer to a product. 

Crab Apples Watercolour Motifs

Crab Apples Design Mockups

I have a large store of watercolour paintings that I sift through every once in a while. I love to re-purpose my artwork and combine different elements and styles, so having this archive of artwork allows me to do that. 

Stored Paintings for future inspiration

As an artist, my aim is to always create what feels aligned. By working in this way, my style remains authentic and will continue to evolve with me over time. I invite you to follow me on Instagram and Facebook where I share my work and my inspiration. Or, head over to my website where you can see everything that I do! I hope to see my patterns on your products in the future – and please make sure you tag me as I love to see where my creations end up! 

Much love, Julia 

 

Flowers & Foliage is a collection of nature-inspired, abstract prints that are influenced by the bright and wondrous things that Julia finds on her daily walks (she is a collector of leaves, shells, feathers and more). From the colour of Autumn leaves and crab-apples to the shapes of gum and grevillea leaves, these prints are designed with homewares in mind, but work beautifully on scarves, dresses and children’s wares. 

Meet the Designer – Tamsin Smyth

Our next artist in focus for The Designer Project, with her groovy, fun loving prints is Tamsin Smyth! Tamsin brings with her TWO incredible collections ‘Sunny Side up” & ‘Carnivale Geo’ for this feature, which we are ever so grateful for. 

Along with that, she has also put together this blog which invites you into her creative studio to see the behind the scenes to her creative process and how she dreams her patterns into being. Keep reading to find out more! 

Tamsin Smyth

Hello you! My name is Tamsin Smyth, and I am a surface pattern designer and illustrator living on a creek near Byron Bay. I have always had vivid dreams about pattern and fashion and colour. I was fairly obsessed with the wallpapers of the seventies, and I can vividly remember the fabric patterns of my colourful wardrobe from my childhood and my glamourous Mum’s outfits. Thanks Mum! 

Designing Process

I was absolutely obsessed with rainbows as a child, and my Mum helped me collect rainbow EVERYTHING. My life feels most centred when I am creating with and surrounded by colour, and colour makes my heart go plippety plop! Colours that sing, chubby shapes and flowers with a retro twist, is how I might describe my designs. With a passion for folk art and the natural environment, my designs tend to come from my imagination, which is my favourite place to dwell. I like to create my own sunshine through my art, and then share it with others. I am always surprised and delighted when someone likes my designs! 

Rainbow Clouds Sketches

I am so excited to share my collections, Sunny Side Up and Carnivale Geo, with the Designer Project and Digital Fabrics. Woot! I quite often dream a pattern into being. I will wake up and scrawl a pattern I envisioned while asleep. That’s why my sketches are so brilliant! LOL. The sketches never quite match the dream, but I really love where they take me. 

Fabric Swatches

I tend to create bold shapes with no outlines, but I do love a bit of hand drawn line and texture too. I am also entranced by the rhythms of meadow flowers, and I have tailored a rolling meadow and some sweet snowbells for this collection. Once I have the sketch scanned into Adobe Illustrator, I can begin creating the vector shapes and playing with a colour palette. Often the elements evolve way past the initial sketch, but it’s a sure-fire springboard (the peekaboo rainbows sketch is a great example!). Quite often my designs end up large scale like my sunrise and sunset blooms, and my lolly jumbo gingham. I love a chubby check! 

Tamsin in her Studio Space

I hope you find something in this collection to bring a little fun and whimsy into your life. I’d love to see what you create with them, so be sure to tag me on Instagram @tamsin.smyth so I can share the love!  

Sunshine and rainbows, Tamsin x 

Bum Bag Baby Muse

Sunny Side Up is a curated collection with a little bit of everything that Tamsin loves. The sketch here called Bumbag Baby is the muse of this collection, and she encapsulates the sweet fun and playfulness of Tamsin’s 1970’s childhood. The Carnivale Geo collection is a retro rainbow of tumbling fun inspired by the Ballet Russes costumes and vintage carnivals. Both collections feature the soothing hues of the seventies: peach orange, yellow and pale pink with pops of purple and blue. These designs would be great for any number of applications such as fashion garments, swimwear & beach wear, cushions, beanbags, table linen, tea towels, hair towels and robes! Each of Tamsin’s designs are available to be printed onto any of our stock fabrics. Simply head to our Fabric Shop online to view the whole collections and choose your favourite fabric!