Just when you thought I’d been sat around on my bum twiddling my thumbs for the last few weeks…
…turns out I’ve actually been working like a loon on secret shenanigans!
This project has been a looooong time in the making. As you my or may not know, I work as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator and I specialise in developing homewares and giftware for mass-market major retailers such as WH Smith, Sainsburys etc. etc.. I have been designing for this sector for several years now and over the last few months, it has become increasingly apparent that I need to pick up the pace a bit and start designing some stuff for myself rather than other people the whole time. Cue Helen Ward Studio – my new brand name that I am going to use for my own new range of product and surface pattern design!
I have just developed one collection of patterns for this so far, which I am filing under the name ‘Entomology’. It seemed to be a sensible progression to work along this theme, as some people will already recognise my name from my artwork. I intend to develop more collections in the near future that will build to create a full compliment of design work to be used over a spectrum of homeware and gift products.
I have had samples made of this new ‘Entomology’ range so I could do a bit of market research during the arts trail. The initial response for this seems to have been very positive, so I am really pleased about that! 🙂
This picture shows the display I had for the Arts Trail of the Entomology range. A full list of all the product samples I had made are:
- Cushions – in three designs
- Lampshades – two sizes in two designs
- Greetings cards – sold separately and in packs of 8
- Tea Towels – in four designs
- Ceramic Mugs – in two designs
- Pocket Mirrors – in 5 designs
- Melamine trays – in 2 designs
- Screen Print – as a limited edition of 100
I had planned to have a couple of other products than this too, but I nearly lost my marbles just trying to get this lot sorted on time. I never knew how difficult it would be to get things like this produced – it took me WEEKS to get this far! I guess the main problem was that I am having to fund this myself, so I only wanted to have things produced in very small quantities. Anyhoo – it all came good in the end and I am really glad that I persevered with it.
Here are some more details:
greetings cards
ceramic mugs
tea towels
pocket mirrors
I am trying to decide my next move with all this now.
It would be really really great to hear any feedback anyone may have about it all so far – thanks!
