My blog guest; Anneline Sophia, a talented pattern designer.

Hello, I am glad you visit me! Lots of thanks!

I am really pleased that Anneline Sophia accepted my invitation to be featured 

in my blog! She is a talented pattern designer living in England, whose paterns are full of colour and joy. 

Did you feel you wanted to be a designer since you were a child? Did you have a strong vocation for it?

I’ve always loved being creative and if you asked me as a child what I wanted, I would usually ask for art supplies.  I was one of those kids who was always making or drawing something and looking back at my old school books and little projects, I’ve always been confident in using colour and expressing myself. 

Tell us something about your background. Are you a self taught designer? Have you done any course about patterns?

I’ve always loved drawing, painting and beautiful designs but, growing up in South 
Africa, I never knew that it could be a career choice.  I remember sewing a dress when I was 13 and while admiring the fabric design, thought how someone out there had this amazing job to design fabric.  At the time, I assumed that it was all done somewhere like China and therefore not an option for me.  It was only through reading blogs and the internet that I discovered that it was something that I could pursue as more than a hobby.

Once I knew that, I set out doing my research.  Doing another degree was not an option for me but I knew that I had to learn to use Photoshop and Illustrator.  Believe it or not, but in 2006 there weren’t any courses in these subjects.  I bought a thick book about Illustrator and read it (twice).  I also found a Photoshop for textiles course at Centra Saint Martin for which I had to get up in the night to catch a train to London for a few Saturdays.  I loved it so much!  However, I knew that the designs that I produced in Photoshop weren’t quite ‘there’ yet.  I continued to sketch and draw but felt like I struggled to get designs from my head onto the computer.  Passion kept me going while I felt like my designs weren’t ‘good enough’.

Eventually I heard about The Art and Business of Surface Pattern design and knew that I had to take it.  The first module was about mark making and finding your style and I instantly fell in love with drawing with fine liners.  No more feeling like I have to use the pen-tool in Illustrator or that my designs had to have clean, perfect lines.  Everything just ‘clicked’.  I’ve completed the course over a year ago now and I’ve been amazed at how far I’ve come.

How would you describe your style? Which colours do you like most?

My designs are mostly hand-drawn and scanned before I colour them digitally.  I like to use bright, happy colours.  My colour choices are often influenced by my moods and feelings at the time but I always end up with bright, colourful designs.  

Where do you find your inspiration?

I am influenced by my heritage.  Growing up in South Africa, I was surrounded by beautiful flowers, bright colours, ethnic patterns and traditional embroidery and folk designs.  I’m also a keen traveler and love other cultures and histories and so, I am also inspired by my travels, other cultures and their folk art.  I always come back to my love of flowers and I often use flowers in a design where you may not expect it, such as in a geometric design. 

You are promoting your work abroad. Could you tell us the reason for it?

My designs are licensed worldwide which is an exciting part of being a designer in the age of the internet.  The world is your oyster and you can find companies in other countries who your designs would suit and form great partnerships.

Do you license your work? Which brands do you work with?

My designs are currently licensed with Modern Yardage, Artscase, Quagga Fabrics and Wallpapers, Kess Inhouse, The Embroidery School and Keka Case.  I am also in talks with some companies who I hope to announce soon as new licensing partners.

Her website:  http://www.annelinesophiadesigns.com

Artscase:  https://artscase.com/artist/Anneline-Sophia.html

TheKase:  http://www.thekase.com/EN/designers/anneline_sophia/index.html?ida=3BC0EA30CBDD79D3&q=Anneline%

Modern Yardage:  http://www.modernyardage.com/anneline-sophia/

Keka Case: http://www.kekacase.com/designer-cases/anneline-sophia.html

Silou: http://www.skyou.com/AnnelineSophia_store.shtml

Quagga wallpapers:  http://www.fabrics-wallpapers.co.za/wallpapers/

It would be nice to discover something about you daily life.  How is a week day for you?

I still have a full-time day job and I am mum to a 3 year old so, my day consists of doing the school-run and working.  Evenings are family time and once my daughter is in bed, I either spend time with my husband or I will go into my studio to do some designing.  I am not a night-owl though but, I often wake in the night and then tip-toe downstairs to my studio.  I love designing when the house is quiet and often produce my best designs in the early hours of the morning.

What are your plans for the future? Some dreams to fulfill?

I want to work on creating more design collections and finding more licensing partners.  I hope to some day see my designs in shops and my brand linked with big brand dream companies.  I would love to design full-time but for now I am enjoying the journey.

It was a pleasure to interview to Anneline. She is a very kind and easy going designer! I hope you enjoyed it!