Studio Tuesday #9 Niamh Fitzsimons

Gooooood Morning! 

Delight your eyes on this glorious Studio Tuesday morning!

Today Niamh Fitzsimons gives us a sneak peek into her colourful world of work. Niamh, who hails from the Emerald Isle worked in Design for Philips in Holland for many years before realising her true calling. These days Niamh runs her own successful studio in Dublin, creating surface patterns for licensing as well as having just launched her own product line of cute, personalised wall art for babies and children.

I've never met Niamh but just from looking at her work and reading her Q&A you get the impression she's incredibly focussed on her work and very happy as a result. The happiness and delight in doing what she loves definitely shows in her characters and design - they really do bring a smile to your face! Thanks to Niamh for being so generous with her advice and sharing her experience!

Read on to find out more about Niamh and her work and enjoy the rest of your day! 
Frankie x

Studio name: Niamh Design Studio
Location: Dublin Ireland
http://www.niamhdesignstudio.com

Where and how did you start your surface pattern design journey?

Considering I am not long in the surface design world my journey began a long time ago. Since I was about 12 I always had a sense that I was destined for something specialised in the Art World. I remember telling my mum when I was 12 that I had a feeling about this and I just did not know what it was. After school I worked in an Art shop and met some graphic designers so I thought I will go to College for Graphic Design. I enjoyed it but I was not fulfilled. When I graduated I moved to Holland for 7 years. I worked in Philips Design for a few years creating sub branding and surface designs for Philips Products. It was here that I created my first pattern on a Philips Product which I LOVED! Before I left, a designer showed me the Print&Pattern blog and it was like a light bulb went on. I saw that people where doing this for a living and I knew at that moment this was my calling. Since I was a young girl I always loved to draw and being a surface designer meant I would be able to draw everyday! When I moved home I began to create patterns and I approached some studios and agents in the US in the hope of gaining some representation while I could learn the surface design business. Three years ago I began Niamh Design Studio and I was very lucky to have gained representation I have amazing mentors and representation in the US for which I am so grateful.

How do you approach a project/piece of work or collection?

It helps when I am alone and grounded. When I first start I need slow relaxing music. I need to feel like I am playing. If I become to serious this can hinder me. I have to say I am still a little daunted by the first blank white page. I can procrastinate at this stage so I really have to work hard and stay at it. I first do some research to fill the well as they say. I flick through design mags, design books, blogs, old fabrics, or go to a museum or crafts fair etc. Sometimes I will go to my Dad's wonderful garden and take photos. Then with my music and coffee I start to doodle and I see what emerges on paper. I normally have a starting point, for example, baby collection with elephants or a garden collection. I doodle and when some doodles look cute I scan them in. At this stage I then sometimes put my headphones on so I close myself off from the world. I can put more upbeat music on. You never know how the first print will emerge. The most exciting part for me is when the first design is done and I love it. If I don't love it I stay at it until I do. When the first print is done I can move quite quickly though the rest of the prints until the whole collection is complete.

Favourite pencil/pen?

I love pencil. I always start with pencil.. something I could never do was draw straight onto the computer. Sometimes after the pencil stage I will use tracing paper and pens depending on the look I would like.

Sketchbook or loose leaf? 

Always loose leaf in the studio but when I am out I sketch in a notebook.

How do you keep yourself on track/organised when working on a project? 

I have two whiteboards on my wall in front of me. I write my weekly and monthly goals of what I would like to achieve. On my studio desk I have a notebook with my daily to do list and goals and I also use the iCalendar on my Mac. I aim very high and most of the time I will make 80% of my target. It is best to aim too high than too low I think.

What are your creature comforts in your studio/workspace? 

My music! Coffee, my inspiration bookshelves... writings for meditation.

Music, radio, stories or silence?  

Soft music when starting and lively music when I am on a roll. If it's a really hectic, and sometimes if I am feeling stuck in the beginning, it is total silence.

Night owl or early bird? 

A night owl. I am trying these days to be in bed at an earlier time but I do love the silence of the night time when I am not disturbed. During the day if I have to take phone calls run errands or go to meetings etc I can become ungrounded. So I use my best energy during the day and night for creating. When my energy is not the highest at certain times during the day I will run errands and go to the gym and finish the designs at night.

Illustrator or Photoshop? 

Illustrator is my most favorite but I think at some stage I would like to learn to create some more elaborate pieces in Photoshop.

What size art board do you design repeats on? 

500x500pix

Design heroes? 

There are so many! To name a few Dawn Machell, Jillian Phillips, Carolyn Gavin, Suzy Ultman, and so many more!

Dream clients or design goals? 

Well I have just launched my new website, so one of my goals is to build up my store of designs in the private client area, create lots of new wall art pieces for the shop. My other goal is to have my own line of products and to keep on creating 'Art to Make People Smile' :)

Dream design destination for inspiration? 

I would love to go to Tokyo, Japan! Since I was small I was always inspired by the Manga girl characters with the big eyes! I think my work might gain another level from that trip! I also think Cuba would be an amazing trip!

And what are you working on at the moment? 

I am just completing my first collection that I would like to be developed into a little range. It is something with an oriental flavour. I am currently researching suppliers and deciding what I will develop. The collection is at the moment a little secret ;) So stay tuned!

Any tips or advice you want to share with us? 

I still have so much to learn but when I first began I never gave myself a break. I was over worked, I pushed too hard and my work and my health suffered. I had to learn the hard way that there is only so much you can do and to take lots of breaks for yourself. It will all happen when it is meant to for you without breaking your back and not to stress so much or think about tomorrow, just do the very best that you can today and keep moving forward all the time - even 1 small step a day towards your dreams and goals. Don't worry or care too much if other people like it. It is a creative process and a gift that is from something beyond us here so how can we judge it? Just be happy and grateful to be able to do what you do :) My motto is 'Art to Make you Smile'... As long as I can create art to make people smile then I am smiling too. For the rest I try to be as detached as I can be. x