Today we are thrilled to bring you a designer interview with ABSPD alumni Cathy Nordström, a surface designer and illustrator based in Stockholm. After working ten years as a graphic designer Cathy finally decided to pursue her dream of adding surface pattern design and illustration to her list of skills. Cathy is also the first non UK designer that ABSPD contributor Dashwood Studio choose to work with earlier this year.
Which ABSPD course(s) have you taken?
Modules 1-3 and The Ultimate Portfolio starting in 2014.
When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?
I’ve always known that I wanted to work with color and shapes. My mother is, and my grandmother and great grandfather were both artist. I wasn’t really sure in what form I wanted to work though and after trying on both interior design and graphic design (both still big passions) I ended up doing what I love the most, patterns.
How would you describe your style?
After doing a Foundation Year at London Guildhall University I applied to Berghs School in Stockholm, Sweden and got my degree in Graphic Design there. After working as a graphic designer for 10 years I felt my heart wasn’t really in it any more. I liked it and my heart still pounds for good graphic design and good typography but I myself didn’t love doing it anymore. So after giving birth to my third child two years ago I decided to do what I had always wanted to do. Patterns. I found the Make it in Design e-course and enrolled for all the 4 modules.
Successes to date.
Floral! It’s a happy mix of floral and graphic prints with a Scandinavian simplicity to it. I think… :) It’s always hard to describe your style but I simply love florals and color. Color is a strength of mine that I’m happy I have. I work in Illustrator so in order to create depth I work with overlay and transparency. I wish I could create whimsical watercolor florals but I can’t deal with Photoshop so I’m sticking to Illustrator, haha.
How did your collection with Photowall and Dashwood come about?
David at Dashwood approached me and asked if I was interested. I nearly fainted, haha. Dashwood has been a dream client for some time. The fact that I’m their first non UK designer makes me extra proud! With my wallpaper collection I contacted Photowall. They came up with the suggestion to make a kids collection which I was very happy to do. Two dreams come true this spring!
Looking ahead what are your major goals for the next couple of years?
To keep up this pace, haha. I’ve been very fortunate so far but I realise that clients won’t always come knocking on my door so I just want to keep evolving and challenging myself and being a good person. I’m currently working on my second collection for Andover Fabrics, first is to be released soon, so I have work to do. I just wish to keep a good relationship with my clients so that they want to continue working with me!
What would be your dream design gig?
I’m actually working on a dream gig right now, swimwear! Can’t reveal more but it’ll probably become swimwear for both women and toddlers in the future, so much fun.
I used to work with packaging design at Victoria’s Secret in NYC and beauty packaging is really something I would love to do. Another dream project would the to do a collection of prints for a Swedish fashion company, such as Stories, Cos or Filippa K.
My name is Cathy Nordström and I´m a surface designer and illustrator based in Stockholm. I´m crazy about vintage wallpaper and fabric and find much of my inspiration there. Given that many of my patterns are floral I find a huge amount of inspiration in nature and books about flora and fauna. When developing a collection I tend to start with a personal experience, whether it be a childhood memory or a recent trip to a new place.
Find out more about Cathy at the following:
Website | Instagram | Dashwood Studio | Photowall
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