MemberPrintmakingScreen Print

Sophie Amelia

posted by POP Members May 18, 2022

Sophie Amelia, a surface pattern designer for home interior products and accessories, first discovered a love for print and pattern while she was studying an Extended Diploma in Art and Design at Leeds Arts University. She tells us; “I loved taking part in all of the print workshops, so I decided to continue my studies at LAU and moved up to the Ba(Hons) Textile Design course”. At University, Sophie also works as a Print Resource assistant in the evenings, assisting with the running of the print room’s workshop access.

As a process-led designer-maker, Sophie specialises in screen printing. However, she describes that she has “a love for traditional printmaking processes as a whole”, thus she can often be found in the print room getting covered in ink!

Sophie usually employs experimental drawing and mark making techniques to create her designs. She communicates her ideas through an abstract approach to image making, and colour palette generation also plays a key role within her projects in communicating the intended tone and mood.

“I aim for my work to have an aura of longevity and to be valued for the long term and I do this by opting to make sustainable material choices and focus on long term historical trends.”

Typically, Sophie prints onto natural fabrics such as linen, but she has also spent some time exploring printing onto wood which she then laser cuts. She usually creates her screen print positives in Photoshop and Procreate, however Sophie has recently begun to create her positives by hand, and is really enjoying the extra level of involvement in the printing process. “I’m definitely a screen printer through and through, I love the repetitiveness of printing and being able to get lost in the process,” says the printmaker.

Sophie implements a conceptual approach to her design work, aiming to explore the sense of presence created by objects and our environment, and translate these feelings and visuals to surface designs. Some of the topics she has explored in this way have included natural rock formations and artist studio environments. Her projects also often link to well-being and how creativity can play a part in being happy and healthy. A nod to mid-century modern design is evident in her work, representing her love for the 50s-60s design era.

The designer is looking forward to continuing to explore textile screen printing, and experimenting more with specialist finishes such as flock and foils. This year, Sophie is working on creating bigger design collections that she can turn into a wider range of home products and accessories, and is hoping to start selling her work at more makers markets.

@sophieameliadesign
www.sophieamelia.co.uk

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