Portfolio Feedback 4 - Wendy Lewis

I have always been interested in interior and product design and really enjoyed the wallpaper design brief that i participated in last year. I have thought for a while that it would be interesting pursuing this side of illustration after leaving university. To help me see if my work would function in this way, and to gain advice on how to alter my portfolio for this type of client I contacted Wendy Lewis, co founder of The Design Hub, and interior design and wallpaper specialist company from Altrincham and met at her showroom.

Wendy's main comments were based around the way my work could work in her industry, and so it became a discussion of the different ways i could use simplifying techniques to make the imagery appropriate for repeat pattern and ensuring they are scalable to be transferable into textile and commercial wallpaper. The Imaginary Beings imagery of the frames surrounded by coral were discussed in relation to how they could look "stunning" in a range of fine white porcelain which I thought was an exciting possibility. Wendy also pointed out how the use of frames and delicate detailing is quite fashionable with ceramics at the moment.

Another route that would be suitable according to Wendy was wallpaper murals, which are in high demand at the moment and the consumer is looking out for companies with new and exciting illustration. She also described The White Stripes designs as really strong and said she could imagine them going straight to manufacture as wallpaper murals. She did however say that a lot of the most popular work at the moment is flat colour based, and created using Adobe Illustrator, so I may explore this in my current Wanderlust project.

I also asked Wendy about how I would go about getting involved with wallpaper and product design which she said I would really have to contact the major players and brands, such as Harlequin, Osborne and Little, to try and get an internship in the studios as she believed this was the best way in. She recommended creating more work similar to the ones she has pointed out and tailoring my portfolio to this audience.

When I enquired about printing myself she recommended John Mark Watson (www.johnmark.co.uk) who she knew and loved, and also told me to avoid a company called Digitex who apparently "rip off all new designers and produce as their own". So thanks for that one! She also pointed out that my work could look really interesting and work printed on roller blinds which the previous company offers so to look into that.

Conclusively, I found this meeting very informative, and throughly enjoyed spending time in the showroom environment surrounded by the beautiful designs and seeing the way they are carried through a range.