Back in June our Co-founder Rachael Taylor had the honour of representing Make it in Design at New Designers in Islington, London as a guest judge.
Whilst at the show Rachael selected designers she wanted to shine a spotlight on, so today we meet Safiyyah …
What university did you attend and what degree?
I attended the University Wales Trinity St David’s Swansea College of art and studied the Surface Pattern Textiles BA/Mdes
Tell us a little about how you got started in design
I started my design journey at college where I studied A level textiles and became enamoured with the multiple ways colour and pattern can be applied to textiles to tell a story.
Can you tell us a little bit about how you create a design? Where do you get inspiration from?
Designing for me , begins through intuitive research, finding the story within the environment around. Seeking hidden memories hiding in the natural world, museums, streets. Foraging for inspiration on colour, form and narratives in nature or historical archives is a place I always start at. For my most recent project I gained a lot of inspiration from the historical artefacts on South Asian art and textiles in the V&A. Most museums have online collections where you can browse for inspiration if you aren’t able to make a physical visit I find this really helpful. Inspiration from these artefacts or collected imagery become paintings or hand drawn and painted motifs which i then scan and edit on photoshop.
What brings you joy?
Being able to explore nature brings me joy I recently visited the Rosemoor RHS gardens in Devon as I joined the RHS on a student membership and I would highly recommend signing up for one. It was amazing to be surrounded by such unique and luscious plants which helped me gain research as well as give me a time to relax and enjoy the sensory experience of being around nature.
Which is your favourite market(s) to design for and why?
I really enjoy creating for home interiors as there is so much story that can be expressed through different textiles such as bedding, wallpapers, cushions, dinner ware etc . The home is where people should feel fully themselves and be able to have a comforting space to express their identity, designing with this in mind allows for so much creativity to be found where people can relate to your designs and use them in a proudly in their spaces.
What’s your dream design gig?
I would love to work as a designer for Sanderson as the prints they create always show such a high quality legacy designs. I would also love to design for Mind The Gap as there values on culture and heritage lead to such eclectic and sophisticated designs.
What are some recent design successes or achievements that you’re proud of?
I recently have started an internship with an aircraft company in South Wales where I have been given the opportunity to help the company design create beautiful seating that caters to Diverse Geometry Inclusivity.
Best tip/advice for those new to design
I would recommend giving yourself the time to research and gain inspiration as it takes a lot of pressure off from just drawing from thin air. Using a reference image such as a picture of a flower you have taken, you can compare drawing styles from different artists, designers or artefacts and learn how to interpret what you are seeing into your own unique style. It takes time to become confident in your drawing skills so giving yourself time to draw motifs in different art styles can help you manifest your design identity.
How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated when I work intuitively. I never force myself to sit and design if I know I don’t have the inspiration to pursue drawing or editing. Taking time to do other meaningful tasks like reading or browsing through imagery I have collected gives me a chance to still feel a part of a process where I can take time to plan and reflect on what I want to design.
Find out more about Safiyyah here: Website | Instagram
Did you exhibit at New Designers 2023? Get in touch via [email protected] as we have a special discount just for you!
