Thursday, March 8, 2012

Steps to textile design



Hi all, sorry it's been such a long time since my last post, moving into spring so quickly and it's a busy time for us. Spring/summer is print crazy!

I thought it time that I made a wee introduction, and I'm hoping to give the WG company blog a little more of a personal touch going forwards, after all, that's what I like most about many of the blogs and designers I follow.

My name's Helen and I have been designing printed textiles for the last twelve years, mostly here in New York city, but also in London where I'm from. I really hope you enjoy the blog, I'm new to this and would love to hear any comments or questions you may have. Can't wait to hear from you guys!
So here goes, a bit about the prints I create...

As a textile designer it's a bonus if you can turn your hand to a great many print styles, be it a bold Geo, animal prints, abstract mark-making, traditional decorative or floral.  At the moment it's all about the mix, which is a nicely liberating for us printers.

Florals are always a winner in spring/summer and below are some photos of the process which went into my last print group. 

Drawing the 'thumb-nails' before I start

Painting the elements
Creating the print composition

Then it's getting the designs ready and off to the printers. Stay tuned!
In the meanwhile, come follow me on instagram!  @shopdealtry ;)

62 comments:

  1. wow, those colors are so vibrant and uplifting. if you don't mind my asking, what type of paints are those?

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  2. Hi @nicomade! I use a mix of mediums, including gouache, Indian inks( luma but they are sadly discontinued) and also procion dyes.

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  3. thanks! i'm just in awe of all of those colors :)

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  4. I love you, man. No really, I do. Okay, I've had a glass of wine. Or two. : ) But seriously, your talent continually blows me away. I can't believe the beauty you can create with just a paint brush and paint. Your florals get me every time, but it's so cool you have such a broad range.

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  5. Jenny. Boozy or not, that means a lot coming from you mate;-) seriously, thank you!

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  6. Helen, your work is beautiful. I am thrilled to have some insight into your process. Thank you!

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  7. Thank you Ritu, glad you liked it!

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  8. im excited to learn more about you. The best blogs are the ones that mix business with life!

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  9. Helen, I LOVE your work. Thanks so much for posting a bit about your process! I am really interested in getting into textile design, so it's nice to see how other designers work. (I'm currently working on my architecture thesis...so my current workflow is a bit different, but not too much!)

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  10. These are just breath-takingly beautiful!!! You have completely inspired my day!!!

    Would you ever consider designing a floral for a floral issue of Spoonful? (http://www.spoonfulzine.bigcartel.com/)
    Oh we'd love to have you!!

    thea.
    xx

    (www.spoonfulzine.com)

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    1. What a great comment to get first thing in the morning :) Thank you Thea, and I would love to paint you a floral for that edition, let me know the details? info@wokinggirldesigns.com

      Enjoy the day!

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  11. HI, what a nice post, I'm a textile and pattern designer from Milan. I'm working more for home here in Milan and in Berlin but I love to see those beautiful works for fashion too! Like your blog and I will follow you for sure :) you can have a look on my web if you want: www.idadutka.com and my blog as well... greetings from Milan. Ida

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    1. Hi Ida! Thanks so much for your comments, I will absolutely check out your site :) I love how we can connect from so far away these days, and make new friends across the globe. If you are on Istagram, please feel free to check @shopdealtry. Have a great day from New York!

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  12. Hi, I've just discovered your blog through pinterest. Your work is amazing, wow these florals are gorgeous!

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  13. So glad you found us @harmony and rosie! Thanks so much for the comments, happy you like the fleurs!

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  14. Your prints are beautiful and inspiring! I'm just curious, what kind of paint do you use?

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    1. Hi Laura, thanks I'm happy to hear they inspire :) I use a few different mediums depending on the subject matter. Gouache, Acrylics, indian inks and procion dyes occasionally.

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  15. How beautiful! Found you from Pinterest. :)

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  16. I'm a sucker for floral! All look lovely :)

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  17. Your paintings are amazing! Thanks for sharing your process!

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  18. wow your work is so beautiful Im so please to have stumbled across your blog!

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  19. Thanks so much Alex, I'm glad you did too!

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  20. I've always been interested in reproducing textiles from vintage fabrics. I paint watercolors; would that work as well? What kind of printer do you take it to to make your paintings into fabric? (I hope that's not too nosy). Thanks a lot!

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    1. Hi there, not too nosey :) You can transfer anything onto a fabric, vintage, watercolor etc, but it helps if you have some knowledge of photoshop/illustrator to work on repeats etc. Some printers will do this for you for an additional cost. Best thing to do is google search for textile/digital printers. In the US Spoonflower and DPI are a good place to start. Hope that gets you going!

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  21. hi! your work is beautiful! i was going to ask what kind of paints you use, but it looks like someone else asked that, so now i'm going to ask something else- what kind of paper do you paint on, and then do you scan the paintings into photoshop to work on them? I am just getting into textile design and am trying to expand my knowledge! :) p.s. your new scarves that are featured on d*s are INCREDIBLE!!!! (did those start out as pen-on-paper drawings as well?)
    ~sarah
    odudare.com

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    1. Hi Sarah, Thanks so much, I'm happy you saw the scarves on d*s :)
      I work on different papers depending on the medium I am drawing/painting in. I like cold press Fabriano for watercolors and hot press for pen and ink. Best of luck with the textiles!

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  22. These are so beautiful!! I've been doing some textile graphic work myself recently, but having a really hard time finding a clean process for separating my colours when I work traditionally (which is my forte) instead of digitally. Any advice, or is it more complicated than I think?

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  23. These look beautiful! I'm interested in starting textile design but I last took a graphics/art course YEARS ago. How did you get started?

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    1. Hi Ashley, thank you!
      I studied fine art until one of my tutors (having noticed my pattern addiction) told me about textile design. I then went on to study BA Fashion and Textiles at University. At my graduate show I was offered a placement at a print studio in NY and have been designing since.

      I think the best way to get involved again, may be to take an internship or placement at a textile company. Decide what you are most drawn to; kids-wear, interior design, fashion etc and look into studios who are known for this.

      Hope that helps !

      All best,
      Helen

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  24. wow, just wow, this is the most inspiring process I've seen in a while. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your work. xo

    Dennise
    www.tenacious-dee.com

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  25. I love these prints...and I love to paint! Thanks for sharing your process. I am always curious about the design process of a textile designer. Let me know, if you'd ever want do a guest post for my readers!

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    1. Hi Hilary! Thanks ever so. I'd love to see your blog, what's it called?

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  26. Such gorgeous work! Lovely and stunning. I'm writing a (teen) book and the main character's dream job is to design textiles. It's too crazy that I was creating an inspiration board on Pinterest for her when I came across this. Love the info here. Thank you!

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    1. Oooh I love that! Thanks for dropping me a line! Good luck with the book!

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  27. I'd really like to hang your florals on all of my walls in dorm. I know you do for textiles but they should be in bags, wallpapers and prints.

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    1. Thats the dream:) Hoping to get some wallpaper out there soon!

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  28. Your work is beautiful and as a aspiring textile designer, I really appreciate the info on your process!! May I ask what type of scanner you use? Many thanks!

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    1. Thank you so much Melanie! I use a scanner by Mustek, nothing fancy just their basic model.

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  29. Hi! Just found your blog via Pinterest, and your designs are so lovely! Also loved the studio visit from Martha Stewart that I found after perusing your blog. I am just graduating and starting out as a textile designer in San Francisco. I love to see other designers work, inspiration and processes. The guache and computer screens look familiar!

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    1. Hi Sarah! Thanks so much:) San Francisco sounds like an amazing place to study...good luck with the textiles!

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  30. Hi! Lovely work! I'm interested in Textile design and I was wondering what computer program you use to create the print composition. Thank you so much!

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  31. Adorable designs and following now too!Do you find Photoshop or Illustrator better for CAD work and repeats etc. am still trying to familiarize with these and would appreciate any tips that you suggest.

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  32. hey there.. i just read your blog. i found out your blog from pinterest. i just love your floral prints. the colors are amazing! <3

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  33. Hi there WG,
    I too found you from Pinterest. I love the vibrant colors in the floral pattern as well as the lovely pattern itself. Thank you for giving us a peek into the process ~ very interesting.

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  34. i don't ever write comments, but this.... wow. *tips hat*

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  35. Amazing ! I am blown away <3 I love florals and had never seen the process of drawing the design before printing. I am looking at your blog from Sri Lanka and if I was anywhere near where you are, I'd totally come and by these prints. Looking forward for more.

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  36. Amazing work:I have also Specialist in massive format print designing and finishing for purpose of sale or exhibition show functions.

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  37. Great work of print designing! This post jogs my memory that I want to decide on some prints additionally for my lounge.

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  38. Nice, It's beautiful to see this color in this blog look awesome to see that as more information go to http://www.madafashion.in/fashion-textile-designing/

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  39. Love your work ! I was wondering which brushes you like to use ? Which brand is the brush on the picture ?

    xx

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  40. Do you make designs just for one garment? (re: your first sketch in blouse shape)

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  41. I truly appreciate how you’ve worded your material in this article. I am very impressed with this information and you’ve managed to keep it interesting.



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  42. woow, these prints are absolutely gorgeous!!! We really like your blog!!

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