This year, my goal is to complete four placements across different areas of the textile industry, and I began my first one on 8th September at a print textile design studio called Bay & Brown. During my time there, I worked on a range of tasks including creating fabric motifs, organising collections by season, and managing studio emails. Because I was involved in so many different aspects of the studio, I was able to learn a great deal. For instance, sorting numerous fabrics into SS and FW categories became a valuable exercise for my colour study practice.
At university, I usually draw in my own preferred style or adjust it to suit the project theme. However, at Bay & Brown I designed for clients, which pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and explore new visual languages. I worked on geometric patterns, paisleys for decorative fabrics, repeat designs inspired by architecture, oriental florals, toile de Jouy motifs, and illustrations for a tribal collection.
Before starting, I had wanted to experience a large company to understand its systems and structure. Yet through this placement, I discovered the advantages of a smaller studio. I could engage closely with different stages of the design process and gain practical, hands-on experience that helped me grow as a designer far more than I expected.