Amelia Graham | Interview

posted by Emma Fisher February 8, 2016

Amelia Graham is a London-based print designer, bringing her unique style to both fashion and interior textile designs. Her work is a mesmerising mix of graphic and kaleidoscopic patterns, working in parallel with her beautiful choice of colour palettes. Constantly inspired by her new work, we thought we would catch up with her to find out how she became a master in the print world, and what the hurdles and triumphs are of being a print designer.

What is your educational history and where did you study to become a print designer?
I studied Textile Design at Chelsea College of Art and Design. Before that I completed my Art Foundation at Brighton.

When did you realise that you wanted to use your design skills to work in textiles design?
On Art foundation I realised that my work had a compositional 2D quality, and despite my love of architecture my talent lay in multimedia techniques rather than spatial design! Textiles seemed to allow for the experimental play with materials that I loved in Fine Art within the perimeter of design. The multifarious application also appealed to me, the idea of not being restricted to fashion or interior and working cross discipline.

Could you explain about how your work is generated, is it self-initiated or brief led?
The designs I produce for fashion print concept are self-initiated and often the client will produce them verbatim, buying them off the peg without any dialogue. That is a truly creative process to have no limitations. I also work on a commission basis for cross discipline clients, from fashion houses to architects and interior designers and visual merchandisers.

How do you generate your prints, is it all a digital experimentation?
Motifs are created with a camera, through mark making or digital play, rendered digitally and printed on silk.

What are your biggest hurdles and challenges when it comes to print design?
There is a degree of anonymity in Textile Design, we are ghost artists who often go uncredited. I can see my work in Vogue but it won’t be my name credited, the kudos goes to the Fashion Designer. I suppose to a certain extent that is reflected in the pay also.

What is the best thing about being a print designer?
Having a day job that essentially allows for creative play!

What do you hope Amelia Graham Design will be doing in ten years time?
I would love to continue working on Textile Art installation in Modern architecture and collaborating with other disciplines.
whilst developing my signature line of prints for my eponymous label.