UPB Graduate Interview: Feena Brooks

Today we are thrilled to bring you a designer interview with Feena Brooks, an artist and surface pattern designer based in the UK who’s a graduate of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder.

When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?

I drew and painted from a very young age, encouraged by my parents and inspired by my Father’s art books. At the age of 10 I announced I was going to be a textile designer and later took a GCSE in textiles despite my school not having a textiles teacher! It was about this time that I discovered oil paints and this led me away from textiles to a degree in Fine Art at Oxford University.

What steps did you take to get to where you are now as a designer?

My path has definitely not been straight! Following university I worked briefly in advertising and then realised that I would need to learn computer skills if I wanted to progress as a designer. I took some courses at London College of Printing and Camberwell College of Arts and then talked my way into an in-house design role where I spent much of my time with a guide to Illustrator hidden under my desk! I then spent several years dividing my time between painting and freelance design work including time as the graphic designer at Osborne & Little.

When I had my first child I stopped my studio painting practice and my in-house design work, but saw it as an opportunity to set up a business that would enable me to continue as a designer whilst looking after my children. I began selling personalised prints on NOTHS and Etsy under my studio name Little Ink. Having the time and freedom to really focus on my own design work led me thinking again about the patterns that I had loved making as a young child. I discovered Make It In Design, enrolled on all 3 modules and won my place on UPB. I now feel that I have come full circle and in pattern design I have found something I truly love to do.

How would you describe your style?

Quirky, pretty, clean, cute with a touch of retro.

What kind of designer do you want to be known as?

One who conjures up beautiful, magical worlds.

What are you working on currently?

I have just finished supplying a collection of patterns for the Christmas issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine, thanks to the live brief in The Ultimate Portfolio Builder. I’m in discussion with a UK manufacturer about a possible fabric collection, which is super exciting! I’ve been asked to illustrate a children’s poem and I’m also working on translating my patterns into products to sell on NOTHS. Very busy, which is just how I like it!

What advice would you give emerging designers wanting to build their portfolios?

Enroll on a Make It In Design course! Seriously, doing the courses has been the biggest motivator to develop my portfolio. It would have taken me far longer to build a body of work if I hadn’t had the added pressure from the course deadlines.

What would be your dream design gig?

I would love to design a bolt fabric collection – I’m a huge admirer of both Dashwood here in the UK and Cloud 9 fabrics in the US.

Looking ahead what are your major goals for the next couple of years?

Thanks to Make It In Design my portfolio is now at the stage that I am ready to show the world, so my priority is to get my work out there, seen and hopefully licensed! It would be great to see my designs on stationery, bolt and home décor and I’m targeting the companies that I’d really love to work with. Getting an agent is something I’ve been considering, so that’s also something I’m working towards.

If you were a pattern what kind of a pattern would you be and why?

I’d be a crazy mix of unicorns, stars, rainbows and flowers, which would all be very ordered, neatly drawn and co-ordinated. Because I’m part lost in my strange imagination and part extremely organised, neat and precise.

The Ultimate Portfolio Builder

What was the most important lesson you took away from UPB?

The most important lesson was to believe in myself, and aim high. I was lucky to receive some great feedback on my work and it gave me the confidence to approach companies that I have always dreamt of working with.

What difference did it make to have a supportive community of fellow students and how important do you think that will be going forward?

I love the UPB community. Everyone is so supportive of each other’s work and generous in giving their time to offer feedback and advice. Designing can be a lonely world and it’s been amazing to meet a group of people from all around the world who are equally pattern obsessed! I’m hoping I can keep in touch with my UPB group going forward as I’m sure it will be helpful to share our design experiences as we develop our careers.

Please tell us about your experience of the live briefs and student work reviews.

I loved the live briefs – they were challenging and demanding but gave a great insight into what companies are looking for when they commission surface pattern designers. As a beginner in the area of surface pattern design it’s a fabulous opportunity. I was lucky enough to get work as a result of one of the briefs and can’t wait to see my patterns in Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine later in the year.

An early love of pattern, drawing and painting led Feena to a degree in Fine Art from Oxford University. On graduating, she combined studio painting with graphic design for companies such as Osborne & Little. After the birth of her 3 children, she began to create illustrations and cards to sell in her online store. This reignited her passion for patterns and led her to develop her surface pattern design portfolio.

Her work is inspired by childhood memories, travels as a young girl, fairies, dreams, and wonderful, quirky England. All of her designs are named after places, mostly in Britain, and many are places that hold special memories from her childhood.

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Amazed by what you see above from our talented students? Join our next class of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder which starts September 5, 2016.