Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be a surface designer.
My name is Linn Warme and I'm a surface pattern designer and illustrator from Sweden. I have always been a creative person; drawing, ceramics, and painting, and in my younger years, I got into textile art. While studying textile art at the university, we had courses in screen printing and pattern design and that's when I discovered my passion in patterns. I loved the creative part of drawing the patterns and the technical aspects of making great repeats.
Who or what influences your art?
I would say nature is my biggest inspiration. Here in Sweden, the changing of seasons can be quite dramatic and we get everything from a sunny summer with lush greens everywhere, to our cold, dark Winter where nature withers and dies. It's a beautiful cycle of life in nature that brings me so much joy and inspiration.
What mediums do you use to create your art?
My projects often start in my sketchbook, and I love drawing by hand with pens and markers, or gouache watercolors. But, I would say most of my patterns and illustrations end up being digital. And, in the end, I do most of my work on my iPad.
Do you approach companies on your own or do you have an agent?
I do not have an agent. I would say it's a mixture of companies coming directly to me and me contacting companies directly.
Being from Sweden, do you work primarily with European companies or do you design for any U.S. or Canadian companies as well?
I work with companies all around the world.
What sectors (stationery, fabric, puzzles, etc.) of surface design do you think your work best fits with and why?
I put a lot of effort into my repeats, making them as fluent and smooth as possible. This makes my patterns great for larger scales, like wallpapers. Also, I love how my patterns look printed on fabric and clothing.
Do you sell your designs on any print-on-demand sites like Spoonflower or The Textile District?
I have done so in the past but with little success. In my experience, these markets are very saturated and can be hard to break through the masses. You can find my Spoonflower profile here,
Would you like to share any advice you have for designers who are considering working in surface pattern design?
Practice your creative skills, drawing, and making great color choices, but also work on improving your repeats.
Finding new freelance work and licensing deals is always a struggle but it's important to take action and don't just sit around being passive waiting for work to pour in. Take charge, contact companies directly, network with other designers, and if you're out of ideas, look at what other pattern designers are doing to market themself and take notes.
What's next for you in your artistic endeavors? Are there any other companies or designers you would like to collaborate with?
I have a few exciting collaborations with fabric companies coming up and I would love to do more of these in the future. My dream company to work with would be the Finish design company, Marimekko.
Commentaires