I LOVE PATTERN: Studio Tuesday #6

Good Morning!
Studio Tuesday is BACK! And what better way to start than with the wonderfully talented and hard working Jennie Whitham of JLW Illustration. Leeds based Jennie recently had a Kickstarter projected successfully funded which you can find out more about here. She is currently taking The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design Module 4 and judging by her Twitter feed is as happy and busy as ever! Jen also took part in our Word Wednesday feature recently which you can see here. If you'd also like to feature, then please do get in touch. Read on to find out more about Jennie and her work.

Name/Company or Studio name: JLW Illustration

Location: Leeds, UK

Where and how did you start your surface pattern design journey?
I studied Surface Pattern at Leeds Art College and graduated in 2010, I continued to work on my skills and enrolled on the ABSPD course by Rachael Taylor and Beth Nicholls. Since then I have been regularly working on Surface Patterns and more recently, Illustration.

How do you approach a project/piece of work or collection?
I like to dive straight in, researching as and when I need to. Usually a collection begins with one main print, then from that one, can span several designs in lots of colourways.

Favourite pencil/pen?

Easy, Wacom Pen.

Sketchbook or loose leaf?
Neither, directly on screen.

How do you keep yourself on track/organised when working on a project?
I don't, i find breaking off to network or even socialise is good for the brain. in terms of organised, I wish i had an answer, I contain everything inside folders, inside folders, inside folders. Im sure there is an easier way, but it works for me.

What are your creature comforts in your studio/workspace?

My desk takes up half of my living room space, and currently contains a giant stack of paper, lots of unopened parcels, and right above my desk a giant framed photograph of my little family. I always have a giant mug of tea at my desk, if its empty, it gets refilled.

Music, radio, stories or silence?
iTunes, currently enjoying War of the Worlds by Jeff wayne, it lasts just long enough to get a nights worth of work done.

Night owl or early bird?
Night owl, I begin working after 7pm usually.

Illustrator or Photoshop?

AI, its like my best friend.

What size art board do you design repeats on?
200x200mm, not really sure why, its just a good even number.

Design heroes?
I'm a big fan of Onneke. She is a friend of mine, and an absolute inspiration, I always bug her for advice, and she is so pleasant and polite. (www.facebook.com/onneke.uk?fref=ts)

Dream clients or design goals?
I love Mama's and Papa's patterned ranges, and they fit right in with my design style, Ideally I'd love to work with them one day.

Dream design destination for inspiration?
I don't think I really have one, always wanted to visit New York though.

Any tips or advice you want to share with us? Never give up, I've come close several times, but it is so rewarding when you reach those little milestones. The first licensing contract, the first online feature and even just receiving positive feedback is enough to keep me going.