Today we are delighted to bring you a designer interview with British artist and designer Rhiannon Findlay, who exhibited at New Designers in London this summer.
- When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?
I grew up in the countryside surrounded by wildlife, which provided me with a constant source of creative inspiration. I have been painting for about five years, but it was only about a year ago that I really began focusing on the design side of things. I love dabbling in interior décor, and in my mission to create a calm, peaceful country home I was constantly on the lookout for beautiful products and homeware. At the same time, I was thinking: if the Emma Bridgewaters and Sophie Allports of the world can do it, what’s stopping me from giving it a go?
- What steps did you take to get to where you are now as a designer?
I put a lot of effort into social media and my website. I hashtagged myself silly, bought a domain name and set up an e-commerce website, and applied to become a seller on notonthehighstreet.com. I approached local shops and businesses with my prints and products, and entered various country-wide design competitions. I was delighted to be accepted by notonthehighstreet and selected as runner-up by public vote and a panel of industry experts in a homeware competition held by Wraptious (www.wraptious.com). I have learnt how important it is to keep applying and keep the ball rolling.
- How would you describe your style?
Countryside meets geometric! I use the wildlife paintings I created over the years (and am still producing) as the basis for each of my designs, repeating each image to create a bold and interesting pattern.
- What kind of designer do you want to be known as?
I’d love to be at the mid to high end of the ‘country living’ market, printing on quality fabrics and textiles and recognised for producing a clean, modern take on rustic design.
- What are you working on currently?
I’m currently putting my energies into extending my homeware range. As part of this I am working with Wraptious – a wonderful company who support emerging artists and designers – to sell my new range of cushions into independent shops, online and at craft fairs, markets and trade shows.
- What advice would you give emerging designers wanting to build their portfolios?
Stick to your style and make sure your work has your stamp on it, but don’t let this put you off straying from your comfort zone. It will keep your portfolio fresh and engaging if you can show diversity alongside coherence, and it might surprise you which of your designs proves most popular.
- What would be your dream design gig?
A royal commission?! Corgi kitchen and homeware by appointment to Her Majesty wouldn’t be too shabby…
- Looking ahead, what are your major goals for the next couple of years?
I would love to secure a third party collaboration with a charity such as the RSPB or WWF. I am aiming to increase the number of stockists selling my products, and am also planning on painting some brand new animals to add to my menagerie and transform into fresh new designs.
- If you were a pattern what kind of a pattern would you be and why?
Hmm, probably a chevron: in my design work I often seem to go in one direction then another, but I I always get there in the end!
Rhiannon Findlay is a British designer and artist who works in acrylic to create eye-catching wildlife art, which she then uses as the basis of her homeware designs. Her prints capture the unique characteristics of the birds and animals that occupy our fields, woodlands and coasts, and in her design she uses these paintings to create clean yet colourful geometric patterns.
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