Surtex, the only show in North America solely devoted to selling and licensing original art and design for all types of products, is almost here! Each year we bring you a series of Surtex previews and we are extremely proud of many of “The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design” e-course students who have featured and continue to feature at the show.
We are delighted to share with you previews of the talented designers showing at Surtex on the Make it in Design blog – enjoy!
- How are you preparing for the show?
Preparing for my first Surtex is one very steep learning curve! Having strong designs to share with potential clients is just the half of it. I have been having lots of fun creating mock-ups for my portfolio to showcase the designs, it is great seeing the work come to life in them.
I’m exhibiting as part of an eight person collective called Finch & Foxglove and we share the preparation workload between us. It makes a big difference to have the other finches there as support. There are lots of jobs to do, ranging from the details of the booth design to pre-show marketing tasks such as newsletters and mail-outs. Then there is the marketing strategy for during the show, printed material, give-aways and reaching out to the press.
- Show stand no:
Finch & Foxglove are at Booth 543 – come and say hello and we’ll give you one of our very cool temporary tattoos!
- Are you doing any other shows in 2016?
I exhibited as part of Collect Scotland studio at Premier Vision in Paris back in February ‘16 and they have kindly asked me to join them again in September. I’m still thinking this one over as I’m also getting married shortly after Surtex and that is keeping me busy! I have designed all the patterns for the event; my dress, my bridesmaids’ dresses, the boy’s pocket squares, the bunting… I’m joking that I’ve pattern bombed my wedding! (But I think I’m not going to get this kind of an opportunity again) So, this means I’ll have quite a busy time in the lead up to the next Premier Vision. The studio asks for a minimum of 30 new designs, the market is apparel and it makes sense to design with trends in mind. I enjoy this sort of brief, but it is lots of hard work. I loved the challenge of designing and exhibiting in Paris with Collect Scotland last time, so saying yes to the show is tempting! I’ll keep you posted.
- About you as a designer.
I describe the Albaquirky brand as ‘unique, contemporary surface pattern’. Design for people who enjoy pattern and want something a little different in their lives. Pattern for stand up, stand out individuals
! I have 20 years experience in the creative industries as an artist, designer and educator. Recently working in interiors and apparel and historically having worked with a broad list of clients from MTV to Sony.
- Which ABSPD course(s) have you taken if you’re a graduate?
All of them!I’m a proud graduate of Module 1 – 3 and the UPB course. Some of the work I’m taking out to Surtex came from the creative tasks I did during ABSPD courses.
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