The Make it in Design team love nothing more than to celebrate all of the wonderful work from our talented and amazing community.
The Live Hub – is our monthly membership club that is jam packed full of energy and dedication from our members each and every day.
The group is such a supportive, wonderful, magical place and we want to acknowledge that with our Member spotlight!
Today we showcase the work of Tara Axford.
Tell us a little about how you got started in design
I’ve always loved design right from making up a magazine when I was about 10 years old to designing cassette covers (I’m that old) for mixed tapes and making zines, postcards and badges for fairs.
What brings you joy?
Seeing other people create whether it’s on social media or through my mixed media classes, I just love watching the nothing become something!
Which is your favourite market(s) to design for and why?
I haven’t really had chance to do this properly yet – I’ve just been ‘playing’ with ideas. I seem to do mock ups for accessories – bags, cushions, stationery and hats. I guess I’m starting small!
What are you working on currently?
Trying to develop a collection and build a portfolio.
How has MIID helped your work evolve /grow?
The Summer + Winter Schools really forced me (in a good way!) to respond to a brief and create something specific that I might not have otherwise chosen to do. The LIVE Hub has given me access to lots of fabulous info around trends and industry specialists.
Any aha moments during MIID journey you would like to share?
Hmmm, that putting together a moodpboard really helps the focus stay on track!
What are your key successes since finding MIID?
That I can put a pattern together to respond to a brief! That I’m building up confidence and ideas to put a portfolio together.
How would you describe MIID to a fellow designer looking to develop their design?
MIID is instant access to a community that will understand what it is you are looking to do, and they offer advice!
What’s your dream design gig?
Ooooh, furnishings, stationery, cosmetic labels, accessories – to see my art on surfaces that vary rather than framed on a wall!
Best tip/advice for MIID students
Keep going, try out as much as possible and if you are not sure on a design ask for feedback in the group.
How do you stay motivated?
I’m always looking to see ‘what will happen?’ Maybe it’s a tool, technique, process, brief – I’m always curious about the possibilities.
How do you balance other commitments and work?
I rarely meet up with people for lunch or dinner! I try to keep my day job to 4 days and ‘normal’ hours. I was always looking for projects that fitted into ‘pockets of time’.
Having said that in February 2022 I left my day job for a 12 month unpaid leave creative sabbatical! Now is a whole new scenario to work out!
