Every new project is a fresh start, full of creative potential and unique challenges. Our in-house designers each have their own way of finding inspiration, gathering references, and setting a direction for their designs.

In this piece, they share personal insights into how they approach new projects, overcome creative blocks, and develop styles that reflect both the brief and their individuality.

Get a peek into the early stages of the design process from those who bring our creative visions to life every day.

Q: How do you approach starting a new design project?

Camilla, Designer: Well, first, I use the search tool in Google to search for the references sometimes, because I like to see maybe more detail of certain garments or references. I do like to have a lot of inspiration. So I have a lot of Pinterest boards. And I do like looking to a lot of-- having a lot of ideas to see what I like. I usually, from what you send us, grab one or two that I really would like to do, go for that idea. Then I start drawing.

Sometimes I'll do-- I already know how many I'll probably need to create the layout. But if I start creating the layout and I feel I need more, I'll draw more and see if I need from the library reference. But yeah, I do my own research.

Sara, Head of Design: I look at the storyboard and I have to read. I guess I rush to just looking at the pictures first and reading the blurb that you provide after. But I guess, yeah, looking at the pictures, reading the description, because sometimes there'll be pointers how to interpret the pictures. And then usually I do a little bit of extra research. Or I just start by getting a blank canvas and start to put my drawings or if it's a digital like my photos or whatever it is on the page. And then I just start.

I really don't think about it too much. I just start to create something that innately will be commercial because that's just me. A lot of people will have different methods. But for me, it's just starting. I really don't put that much planning or thought into it, to be honest. 

Natalia, Designer: For me, it's definitely trying to understand the brief firstly and then try to find different references that I can use. And it's going to make my design different from someone else. And afterwards, when I finish the design, I have a look at the color to see if it's matching. And if I send it to Bec, the Creative Director, if it's not approved, I try to see how can I make it better. And definitely talk to other people and say, hey, how can I achieve this idea of this brief? Listen to what you're saying. Have a look at the brief, but also try to find myself my own references as well. Pinterest, also I go to Google Images to have a look. And now we have AI. So sometimes I give some ideas, how can I use different images as well? And sometimes I just ask my friends or even look at some books as well, because we have a huge library.

Neha, Designer: To be honest, I try in some ways to connect on an emotional level to the project, because sometimes for me it's easier to express what I want to when I'm focusing on that instead of what the storyboard kind of wants me to do, because it helps me then pick the color that I want to pick based on how I'm feeling about the story itself, like whether it's making me feel happy, it's making me feel whatever different emotions. So that's how I approach it.

Lyndsay, Head of Design Development: The first thing I do is look at all of the references on the board. And if there's something I particularly like, I will go and Google Image Reverse Search it to have a better image or a better idea of the type of context of the piece and what else is in there. And then I'll look in the collection, see if there's anything similar that's sold, check colors, see what else has already been approved by you, if there's anything so that I can see what else is already in the collection so I'm not duplicating. And I do have a plan vaguely in my mind when I start designing, but not too loose, not too strict rather. I like to kind of go with the flow a little bit. I'll probably start with-- so say there's one image on the reference board that I really like. I'll use that as my base. And from that image, I'll be inspired either by the color, the style, the scale. And obviously, I would never replicate that as is. So I would then make a conscious effort to make one of-- make two out of those three things really different. So you would never do the same style of painting in the same scale and the same colors, because obviously that would be too close. So I tend to just pick the characteristic that I think is working the best from that piece and then start with that. Also keeping on top of your time, like how long you're taking to create it. If I've gotten to two hours and I've not made a decision about where the design is going, that's a real problem. So sometimes you just have to take a step back and be like, OK, I'm getting too bogged down in this. I need to fit the other. I'll go and work on something else. But yeah, it's just being confident in your design decisions.

 Q: Can you share a piece of advice for students aspiring to enter the field of surface pattern design?

Lauren: Yeah, I think just don't be intimidated and just have patience. It takes a lot of practice. And also, I'm still kind of learning how to trust my design gut, I guess. So you're not going to be perfect at something when you start it. Natalia: Well, if you really love to be a textile designer, I think the main thing to do is don't keep in your comfort zone, go beyond, and study as much as you can, make mistakes, and throw your mistakes, learn from it, and keep going. Yeah, it's just practice a lot. Yeah, definitely, every day. 

Camilla: Patience, practice, practice a lot. Practice makes perfect. Nobody's good at everything. And you'll probably become a client that will want something that you've never done, or you'll have to do things which will take you from your comfort zone. And you'll have to just keep trying and practicing, and I think, yeah, not frustrating. Ellen: Yeah, so I'd definitely say build a portfolio. That's what I continue to do and try keep on top of, at least. And probably look for the opportunities. I feel like that really worked for me, because I was quite big on socials, and that's how I got my first job. Well, a girl that works for Liz back, she saw me on Instagram and then said to Liz, showed Liz my work, my page, and she was really interested. So that's kind of how-- and through my Uni tutor as well kind of got me the job, but it was kind of a few things linked together. And socials was quite a big thing for me. I'd definitely say beyond socials, look for the opportunity, build a portfolio, and just keep practicing, putting yourself out there. 

Sara: Without being too salesy, I think learning from people that are actually working in the industry is super important. Like even when you went to fashion school, it's like people that the teachers at college or Uni, they don't really have up-to-date industry experience. So your learning will never be up to speed when you get a job. So learning from people that are updating their skills daily is really important. So it's probably my biggest tip is to learn from actual people that are working currently in the industry that you want to work in.

--

You might also like...

Starting in Surface Design: Our Creatives Reveal Their Origins

Inside a Surface Designer's Workflow

How to Create a Finished Design from a Trend Board