Sometimes people do things that just put a huge smile on your face and this week the ever lovely Kris from Tag Along Teddies was responsible for putting a grin on my face from ear to ear. The reason…. she has again gifted me with a lovely ‘just because’ pressie that contained this lovely hand sewn cupcake, some beautiful specialty cupcake cases and…..
ummmm…. a big bag of milk and white chocolate stars, but they seem to have already disappeared.
They came at a time when they were greatly appreciated and a healthy dose of chocolate was just what the doctor ordered [giggle]. Thanks Kris. You are always thinking of others and we do appreciate your generosity and friendship.
I thought I’d share with you today a topic that one of my students raised in class this week. How do I know what to design?
The question was in regard to my new Christmas Collection which my students have been watching develop over the past few months. It is a very good question and it made me realise that those who haven’t worked in the industry probably have no idea how designers work.
It’s pretty much the same for graphic designers, interior designers and many crafters… we start with a mood board. Sometimes they are called an inspiration board or ideas board, but they all do the same thing.
The mood board is used to inspire the design concept. My mood board begins with a colour palette; sometimes I add swatches of fabric or pretty papers, sketches, sayings or words I might want to incorporate into the designs etc.
The picture shown here on the left is my mood board I used for this years Christmas designs. Initially I used a visual art diary for my design ideas. This page shows the colour palette I have chosen. It was originally inspired by another project I painted earlier that used this shade of red and the jade green together. It was completely different to my usual Christmas colours and I felt it was fresh and interesting, plus it excited and inspired me. That’s really important when you are about to tackle a big design project.
Once the basics are there, I use the inspirational mood board to help establish the general look and direction prior to jumping into the designing stage. In some ways, Christmas is now a fairly straightforward project for me because I have designed a Christmas collection every year for the past 18 years. I’ve already created a ‘look’ or ‘style’ that is my own. Lets’ face it, when it comes to Santa we all know he has a white beard, rosy cheeks, a fondness for red suits and is a little on the chubby side. How different can he look from one designer to another? That’s why, once I established a series of designs depicting my version of Santa, reindeers and elves, I have stuck with them over the years. My style is already recognisable so next on the agenda is creating a theme. This year, apart from the different colour scheme, I have chosen a few elements to tie the designs together: penguins, candy canes and polka dots.
Before I began designing, I looked back over my Christmas designs from previous years to see what themes were popular, which patterns sold better than others and considered my customers feedback. This year I am basing my designs on practicality and usability – basic functional designs that compliment each other. I began with small scale sketches in my visual dairy. Once I have some ideas floating around, I researched the availability of materials and project surfaces.
By this stage I had more ideas and designs than I needed, so I selected a smaller group I was happy with and then develop them further. From there I move through the various stages of pattern drawing, painting, construction and instruction writing.
Well… I hope this has given you a little insight into the design process. It’s great fun and I can’t think of another job I’d rather have.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
WOW!!!! I never could design as you do! Amazing! Love the insight! Your gifts look very cute and tasty indeed.
Love the cupcake, how lucky you are?
Thanks for the great insight into your process Kerryanne. Can I come up for a lesson on how to do this successfully? It would be so valuable and I have questions running through my head already.
One big thing that stands out to me is how organised you are with every part of the process. I found this with your course as well. Apart from organising the lessons you are so organised in how you keep records of your thoughts. It is discipline too isn’t it in always using the same place to keep your thoughts and not just scribble things down forgetting aspects of it later.
Anyway, I ramble a bit. Thanks again
Lee:)
Great post Kerryanne!
Although not much crafting has been going on here at my place, I have really been using my own kind of inspirational photo folder to help me with the evolving home decotating here.
Have a fab weekend!
How nice is Kris ! Thanks for the insight into your design process I love knowing how others do it , you are a clever girl !
Hi Kerryanne
Can’t wait to see the whole Christmas collection, your style is so recognisable and I’m glad you have stuck with that, I love it. Looking forward to hearing more about the E course for Christmas.
xxx Janet
Hi Kerryanne,
Oh, you lucky lady recieving a gift from the talented Kris.
Hey, you are full of wonderful ideas!
What a Fantastic way to get the art happening and ideas together with one of these Memo boards.
I must start doing it myself.
Thanks for the great advice/post.
Hugs,
Anna
Love what Kris sent you!
Love how you are so organised…please let it inspire me!!
Have a great week
xx
Hey Kerryanne! So pleased you loved your sweet treats. Hmm … not sure why those chocolates keep disappearing – they must be MAGIC stars to wish upon! Tee! Hee! Hee! Thanks for sharing your designing process. You are WAY more organised than I am … though we’d already establishe that! Tee! Hee! Hee! I keep promising myself that one day I’d get organised, but I seem to operate best in the midst of chaos … I think it gets my mind swirling and the ideas twirling. Love your Christmas colour palette … great minds think alike, cos they’re the tones I’m playing with too. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …” :0) Big Bear Hugs! KRIS
nice gifties! Love your mood board, looks like a piece of art in itself! Rachaelxo
Such a great blog- thanks for sharing the design process you use:)
Wonderful process, great insight!
Queen Bee Studio
Great post, Kerryanne.
What a lovely gift to receive – you are spoilt!
Thanks for sharing your thought process with us for designing. You are one organised lady.
love your Christmas design…..
Hello Kerryanne!
I do that too..plan out my colour schemes….and swatches and laces and whatever for what it might be that I’m working on….
but I didn’t know it was called a MOOD board! so thanks, now I know there’s an actual method to my madness! hehehe…
cute card…and I want one of those cookies!
ciao bella
creative carmelina