Marian Bantjes

Marian Bantjes is a fabulous Graphic Designer from Canada. Her portfolio is vast, ranging from typography to oil paintings, pencilled illustrations and the most relevant and appealing to me, pattern work. Her website is incredibly interesting, full of dry wit and humour, not only is she a Designer but a writer also: you can read her musings on the site.
I am also amazed at her typographic skills (which she calls Wordsmiths), after years in the business and roots in typesetting her talent is immense.
When looking at her site I was tempted to email her so I could write a contact report for my blog, but I came across questions and answers for students under the heading "About MB". I found the information she provides on her site enough to learn from without overloading her with more student requests, so I shall leave a link to her site.
Marian Bantjes seems to has a huge following and has worked for many many big names including Eye magazine and Wallpaper magazine, her portfolio is extensive. One of the aspects of her work that appeals to me is her pencil work arrangements (as above), I am constantly fascinated by pattern and how people achieve such fluidity between the repeat. Her designs entwine beautifully and I find my self staring at them for hours in the hope one day I can achieve such dynamic work; the eye follows the page around not knowing where to stop. I would love to create such density in my work as I try to conquer too many stark white spaces, something I am working at just now with pencil drawings of flowers; below is my unfinished attempt, I shall post again when completed. I hope you enjoy her site as much as I do!

Claire Louise Designs

Claire Louise Designs is independently managed by its namesake, run from home, she completes and constructs all designs herself. Designs consist of Florals, Geometrics and Modern Damasks. Claire Louise contacted us by email to kindly answer questions about her business, the Textile industry and her working methods. Below is a summary of the information she shared with us which gave us insight into freelance designers and their practices.

Designs by Claire Louise are hand painted, this she feels gives her an edge on the market as many companies are entirely CAD based. Occasionally she will compose smaller motifs on Photoshop, but for the main she and her clients favour hand painted illustrations. These are complimented by a small collection of embroidery designs in which she hand sew sequins and other embellishments. Metallic and textured grounds are also incorporated into her works.

Claire often works to briefs set by companies. Commissions, in which an idea or visual prompt is provided by the client "They night show me a fabric or picture then ask for something that would do the same job." she states.

For research, contacts and trend predictions Claire attends Heimtex. The companies who commission her also provide insight into what is on trend and what clients are looking for. In conjunction Claire keeps her eyes on the market with current magazines and shop visits.

After working for two studios (Susan Hawes Design and Artwork) Claire feels the experience was good but not necessary to achieve in today's market if you wish to set up alone . " I self taught myself a lot before I went to companies by looking at repeats and fabric. Work experience is always good but I have learnt more on my own than I did working for companies." Claire sells her designs from £350-£500 with low production costs and a varied client base from low to high end market companies. Claire concentrates entirely on her own business with no other sources of income. previously she taught but found this distracting and prefers to focus all her energies into her designs. This also leaves her to concentrate on her clients as she prefers a more personal service.
Claire generously closed her email with some advice as we progress on our degree and venture into employment in the Textile industry:

"If you want something work hard and you will get it. Try not to be lazy or scared to go to London for work. When I fist started I lost a lot of work for being lazy and not wanted to go to London on the train. Silly! But with time you get confidence. I love doing the shows in Germany and Belgium so now London doesn't seem so bad! Take some chances and don't change your style for a company. I have seen many people come and go in studios but if you have a strong style and work hard you will have a good career. Don't get down if you are not selling as many of the others in the studio. It can be hard but if you love it, it's worth it. Designing or working in an office all day? I know which one I'm happy with, and it's nice being my own boss!"