Designer Feature: Brandi Powell

The weekly designer interviews are back! And this week we have the wonderful work by Brandi Powell. 

So Brandi tell us all a little about yourself and your background as a designer

In 2005 I left my corporate HR Management job for art school.  It was frightening because I hadn’t tried to draw since I was very young, it was a risk, but one I had to take.  I graduated with my BA degree in Graphic Design and Fine Art in 2008. Best thing I ever decided to do.  I did an internship with a great design firm in my town through the summer of 2008, but then I decided that I really wanted to work for myself.  That is truly why I had left Corporate America.  I have been working as a freelance artist since 2008, 5 years now.  Working freelance allows me to be choosy about my projects and have the most time to draw and design whatever I want!!!

So true! It’s amazing to have the freedom to live your dream, so why did you want to be a designer in the first place and what is it you like about patterns?

After working for 10 years in Corporate America, I realised that was NOT what I wanted for myself long-term.  I started getting interested in creating a few years before I decided to quit my full-time job and return to college for art.  Since that time, Adobe Illustrator, my tablet and I have become the best of friends.  I love illustration and started designing patterns to add more texture and interest in my work.  Then I realised that patterns could stand on their own.  I love the idea of product placement as not everyone can afford fine art, working art into everyday life is a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day.

That is such a lovely idea, it’s nice to be able to design beautiful patterns that people can afford, and to make their homes a brighter place.  How would you describe your style and what is your favourite medium to work with?

I consider my style a fresh modern style that has been said to have a vintage twist.  Modern because of all of my work is done digitally so it doesn't look hand-drawn.  The vintage twist has more to do with the fact that I tend to be inspired by anything vintage.  I look toward the future, but am very inspired by the past.  My work is all done in Adobe Illustrator.  My ideas and project sketches are done in Illustrator with a tablet, rather than a traditional sketchbook.  Ilustrator allows me to easily manipulate my designs and save a great deal of trees.

And What inspires you? where do you find your inspiration?

Right now my biggest sources of inspiration for my playful design collections are my niece, nephew and vintage children’s books.  They remind me to stay young and have fun.  I am also very inspired by nature, natural colour and retro design.  I LOVE retro design.  Anything from the 1950’s through to the 1970’s.  I think that we can learn a lot from the designers of the past.

Historic designers are a fantastic source of inspiration, Brandi’s work is wonderfully playful with beautiful colour palettes that I can see selling really well in today’s market.  Below you can see some of her collections:

If you are a designer and would like to be interviewed and featured please get in touch! Emma.hawman@hotmail.co.uk