My route to crafting
My move from Graphics and Advertising to handmade crafts was smooth and gradual, like something which was meant to be. As an Art & Design student in London back in the eighties, I did an Art foundation course followed by a 3 year degree course in Graphic Information Design. I found myself in my element from the first moment of my studies! During the foundation course I had the chance to get a taste of all sorts of arts and crafts related subjects such as printing, ceramics, life drawing, photography and woodworking among others. It was a real eye opening period for me.
My years in studying Graphic Design were intense but exciting and fascinating at the same time. I learned to think creatively to solve problems while making beautiful things. I got used to "looking" and not just "seeing" by developing attention to detail. I became competent in finding inspiration any time from any thing, in appreciating the power of colour, beautiful typography and good aesthetics.
Working creatively means to continuously progress.
Through my Art & Design studies I gained knowledge and skills which I am still developing and enriching to this day. Working creatively means to continuously progress. As life was progressing too, I found myself all more often applying past experiences and abilities, in making things with my hands. So nowadays, I solve creative problems using my hands crafting aesthetically pleasing items.
A distinctive brand
Because of my background I knew that presenting my work through the various channels in a disciplined manner was essential in building awareness. Early on I opted for a non rigid brand because my work is quite versatile, playful and always evolving. I have therefore designed a flexible brand-palette instead. This consists of soft colours, lightweight fonts, a pictogram of a snowflake and the quote “each one special like none other”. The pictogram in combination with the quote express the “one-of-a-kind” feature of my products, so just like snowflakes there are no two the same!
A playful use of these consistent elements give me enough flexibility to present myself in a creative but not too strict way throughout the social media and other marketing material.
The brand values
All my makes have a little bit of me in them. I imagine them, I think about them and then I go about creating them with my two hands. Unconsciously, I was always making things that were fun to wear, have or use, as I never had an interest in the sombre and dark side of life. I also never like to repeat the exact design of a craft as I feel that the thrill of creativity is lost once you have to reproduce an existing idea.
Consequently each item I make is fun, one-of-a-kind and handmade.
Or in short funooakhandmade
