On The Surface with Rachael Taylor{surface designer}
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
“I have learned that if there is something you really want you have to just go for it & give it a try. I like that quote: “find a job you love & you will never work a day in your life”. That’s how I feel!” ~Rachael Taylor | Surface Designer
Quite a while ago I ran across the site of UK based Surface Designer Rachael Taylor. Her work is fantastic. Full of color, pattern, and imagination, Rachael takes the beauty of an object and creates lovely pieces such as pillows, fabric, tableware, lamp shades, greeting cards, and wall art. Her list of clientele includes: Paperchase, Graham & Brown, Target, and Hanes Paper just to name a few.
Rachael was so kind to take a few moments to share with us an insight into her inspiration and her process as a surface designer. To purchase some of her pieces, please visit her Etsy shop!
JuBella: How did you know that textiles was an occupation that you wanted to pursue as a career…what would you say was the inspiration behind it all?
Rachael: I have always been a creative/visual person from a young age & loved things like art, drama, dance, drawing etc. I studied Art & Design at College then decided textiles/surface design was a good area as it crossed over into so many areas. As surface pattern design had quite an open scope to go into fashion, interiors, ceramics, stationary etc. So it seemed like a good option for a creative role & it wasn’t to restrictive for career paths.
JuBella: Favorite resources/books/websites for textile/color, etc. inspiration?
Rachael: I look at a range of blogs like Print & Pattern, Poppy Talk, and websites like wgsn. I also look a lot at home magazines e.g Elle Decoration, Living etc., also fashion mags like Vogue & Elle. A lot of my inspiration comes from just general things I see & I try & take my camera every where I go. I’m also inspired by music. Usually my designs sometimes just come out of my head & it just depends on the mood I’m in or the song that I’m listening too.
JuBella: What is an average week for you like as a textile/surface designer & how would you best describe your design process?
Rachael: Everyday is different which is what I love. Generally I’ll have three to four days designing & the other ordering, paperwork & managing of my business. Two or three of the days I may be working direct as a freelancer for companies on a commission or brief, the others I’m left to create my own collections.
The days I’m left to work on my own designs, I try not to have a plan or structure. I may spend a morning out with my camera & sketchbook then I’m full of inspiration, so I put my music on & I just see what happens. I like the variety I have at the moment as I have great direction & trends to follow from companies as well as having room for a bit of spontaneous design within my own label.
JuBella: What are 3 things that you would tell an aspiring designer that you wish you knew when you first started your textile venture?
Rachael: I still honestly feel like I’m learning myself. There is so much opportunity out there. When I was starting out I wish I had learned not to take things to personally & not be to precious about my work. To just enjoy the ‘Now’. It’s great to have future goals but it’s important to take every day at a time & appreciate the work your doing. Just have fun with it!
JuBella: If you had to pick one, what would be your favorite form of handmade textiles/fibers(block printing, crochet, knitting, screen printing, etc.)?
Rachael: I love screen printing. It makes you feel like you are a part of your work as you are actually involved in the print process as opposed to just printing something digitally. A lot more of your personality comes out this way. I’m a big fan of machine embroidery, loose, messy, stitching, threads left loose & not trimmed away, something more raw & unique.
