Today we are delighted to share with you an interview with Karen Burton an artist and designing living in Virginia, USA who is a graduate of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder from September 2015.
When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?
From a young age, I loved making things – I continually drew horses, drew floor plans of my one-day “dream house” and made Barbie clothes that led to making my own clothes. I studied painting, printmaking and photography in art school where I received a BFA. After art school, I worked in the commercial photography arena and then in graphics/typesetting. I also studied textile design at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC, and exhibited at Surtex, which led to success selling designs to various manufacturers for consumer products, including bedding design development for Macys. I more recently earned an MFA in Web Design/New Media. Along the way I opened up a storefront fine art/fine craft gallery called Rendezvous Gallery and then converted it into a successful online-only venue that features fine art and fine craft items from national and regional contemporary artists.
What steps did you take to get to where you are now as a designer?
I was very involved in textile design a number of years ago – creating hand-painted repeat designs using gouache on paper. I ultimately moved on to other things, as raising a family took over, but am now getting back into it by using digital tools that weren’t available in my prior surface design life. I started looking at books and online tutorials and also discovered online classes that cover the technical and marketing aspects of the world of surface pattern design. I discovered MIID through their first round of Summer School classes (I took all three – Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) and enjoyed it so much that I signed up for all three modules of the full Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design classes. I followed those with the Ultimate Portfolio Builder class.
How would you describe your style?
I create fresh, modern designs combining big doses of color with graphic and hand-drawn, stylized motifs that pop out from the surface and catch your attention.
What kind of designer do you want to be known as?
I want to be a designer known for being creative with a unique perspective, a problem-solver, great with deadlines and easy to work with.
What are you working on currently?
I am currently creating custom fabric designs for an interior design client – featuring fabrics for window treatments, bedding and decorative pillows. I am also working with an emerging fashion designer to create fabrics for a line of women’s clothing.
What advice would you give emerging designers wanting to build their portfolios?
Create something every day – whether it is sketching, learning new digital techniques/software or just playing. Try not to look at other designers’ work too much as it can be paralyzing. I kept worrying about which direction I should go and it was holding me back. Now I see it is best to: Just. Get. Started.
What would be your dream design gig?
I would love to design a line of wallpaper for Hygge & West or rugs for Brink & Campman.
Looking ahead what are your major goals for the next couple of years?
I will continue to develop my portfolio, update my web site, create a line of fabrics, pillows, inspiration dolls and other products to be sold on my web site and also start showing my work to manufacturers to gain freelance and/or licensing opportunities.
If you were a pattern what kind of a pattern would you be and why?
Whatever type of pattern I would choose isn’t the most important aspect for me – could be floral, geometric, conversational, etc. The main thing is that it would be bold, colorful and energetic and would include both hand-drawn and graphic motifs.
What was the most important lesson you took away from UPB?
I recently had the fantastic opportunity to show some of my work to the director of fabric development of a large fashion fabric company in New York. She was so encouraging. She said my work was stunning and would work on many types of products. She complimented me on my professionalism and my presentation. I don’t think I would have been as polished and ready for this without the experience I have gained from UPB.
What difference did it make to have a supportive community of fellow students and how important do you think that will be going forward?
The ABSPD community is amazing and supportive. Information and experience is shared readily. Connections have grown further through Instagram and Periscope.
Please tell us about your experience of the live briefs and student work reviews.
The live briefs were great practice working to specifications for real potential clients and helped to add more relevant new work to my portfolio.
The video portfolio review of my work by Kristian Howell was super helpful and encouraging. She gave me positive feedback and some ideas of things I can tweak in my portfolio.
Karen Burton is an artist and designer living and working atop a bucolic hillside in Virginia with a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She photographs this magical, ever-changing scene and counts it as one of her creative inspirations. Her textile/surface pattern designs have been reproduced on bedding, rugs, pillows, giftwrap, greeting cards, scarves and more. She is known for fresh, colorful and modern yet timeless designs brimming with energy and movement. Her work ranges from whimsical to graphic to sophisticated. Creative directors call her versatile designs “crossover” due to their suitability for many markets such as home décor, wallpaper, fashion, bolt fabrics, accessories, stationery and gifts. Karen is interested in freelance, commission and licensing opportunities.
Website | Facebook| Instagram | Pinterest | Behance
Amazed by what you see above from our talented students? Join our latest class of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder starting March 21, 2016.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.