Design and Development Services
Print and Pattern Design
This is the design and create stage. Based on your brief, I’ll create sketches or graphics, then put them together into a repeating pattern. I tend to create a few versions of a design; playing with scale, spacing and how colour is used – sometimes this will just be a process towards the final result, but sometimes it actually creates additional or complimentary options.
I can provide you with:
- Original print artwork files with colour separation (photoshop or illustrator)
- Colour images of the print repeat (jpg or pdf)
- Print specifications with size, colour and any other info (pdf)
- To-scale A4 printable version of the design to check all sizing and proportions on paper, before printing to fabric (jpg or pdf)
Good for you if...
- you need professional, print ready artworks with specifications
- have got an idea of the type of prints you want to create
- have a colour palette in mind
- know how and where you’ll be getting the fabric printed
Also works for you if…
- you have an existing artwork that you want developed into a repeat
- need an existing artwork re-coloured
- you’ve sourced a vintage design that you’d like digitalised
FAQs
How long does it take to design a print?
This mostly depends on the complexity of the artwork – what type of design it is (graphic, abstract, conversational, etc), how many colours are used and what the layout is like. Something really simple could be developed from design to spec within an hour, but something more complex might take a few days. Also, the clearer your brief is, the quicker I can design!
Where can I get the design printed?
I just provide you with the artwork, the production will be up to you. It’s helpful to have an idea of this in advance though, as there may be different requirements depending on the process used by the supplier. I can potentially point you in the direction of some printers, depending on your market level and end use.
Who owns the copyright to the prints you create?
You do. All the work I produce is owned while working with you, is owned by you.
Do you sell ready-to-buy prints?
No just yet – this is something I am hoping to offer from winter 2022. If there’s something in particular you’d like to see, please let me know! Sign up for my emails or follow me on Instagram to find out when I launch this service.
Mockups and Range Planning
A print artwork on paper or screen can feel very different to how it actually looks on when printed onto fabric. I can help visualise not just how the print will look on a garment, but also how different prints and colours work together to form a cohesive range. This is something I can create using your brief, or guide you with planning before we start.
I can provide you with:
- Technical drawings of garments with prints to-scale
- Printed fabric mockups
- Collection overviews of prints and colours
- Guidance on number of colours and prints to use in your collection
- Help with planning or developing prints through range visualisation
Good for you if...
- you struggle to imagine what a print will look like on your garment designs
- want to develop print designs for specific garments that may affect the scale or placement of the prints
- are looking to build a cohesive collection with print and colour at the forefront
- need to plan how many prints and colours to include in your range
FAQs
I don’t have technical drawings of my garments, can you make them for me?
If you don’t have your own technical sketches yet, I can either use examples from my own library or create examples specifically for you. If you have photographs of existing garments I can also create mockups using those instead.
Is range planning just for prints, or for a whole collection?
My focus is on visualising how print and colour is used and balanced across a range – it’s more of an overview than a detailed breakdown on style level. If the focus of the designs in your collection is print and colour, then this will work well. However if your collection is made up of lots of different fabrics, textures or details, then this might not give you what you need.
At what stage of the design process are the mockups and range plans made?
I often use mockups throughout the development of the print design – it helps to get a sense of scale and think about any issues that might occur when the fabric is constructed into a garment. Range plans or overviews can be created before designing to help plan, or throughout the process to help visualise how things are coming together.
Trend and Creative Direction
Storytelling is what brings a collection to life! It gives colour a foundation and prints a purpose (it also helps your sales team too). Whether you want to tap into a trend or create your own direction, I can pull ideas and themes together to give a unique personality to your seasonal or brand story.
Good for you if...
- You need help with creating moodboards and colour palettes
- take a brand focused approach to design (not just picking any old prints you like!)
- want to ensure you stand out in a competitive marketplace
- make life easier on your sales and marketing team by giving them a story to tell
I can provide you with:
- Concept/theme moodboards
- Colour palettes with Pantone references
- Print ideas and examples (leading to a print design brief)
- Market/competitor analysis
FAQs
How long does it take to develop a creative direction?
I’d allow 1-4 weeks development time*, depending on your collection size, how in depth or unique you want it to be, how much information you are able to provide upfront and your exact deliverables.
*Remember this work may not be completed in a solid block of time, there will be need for initial meetings, review stages, etc.
I have some ideas already, do I need you to do this?
If you have enough information and are able to present it in a way to be able to brief me for the prints you want designed, then there’s no need. If you have some ideas, but don’t yet have them pulled together, or are not sure how to translate them into a design brief, it’s worth us working through this stage together so we have a solid foundation to design from.
What will you need from me before you start?
An understanding of what products you’ll be producing and an idea of what size your range will be is essential. It’s also very useful to have a background understanding of your business and brand as whole, particularly who your competitors are and what your USP is. If you have this in more formal documentation, that’s really helpful, but it’s also something we can just chat through.
Collaborative Freelance Basis
If we haven’t worked together before, this is often a good place to start. It’s very collaborative and flexible, and you can take things stage by stage if you’re not sure exactly what you need yet. Working like this allows me to step you through the design and development process – you can be involved as much or as little as you like.
Timelines for freelance work will depend on how much work is required, as well as your deadlines. I’ll always give you an idea of what to expect and estimate how long things might take in advance. I’m often working with multiple clients at a time, please bear that in mind. Any urgent work that requires me to work additional hours will be subject to additional fees.
Starting at £30/hr
Retainer agreements available.
Task-orientated Project Basis
If you know what you want and can provide a clear brief upfront, this can be a good way to work together. It’s a more structured and independent way of working, with set review stages and number of revisions. Working on a project basis is also good if you are just looking to get a task done, rather than being involved in the process.
I need at least 2 weeks’ notice before starting any work. My schedule will vary throughout the year, so I may not be able to book you in straight away and I’d always ask that you inform me of any deadlines well in advance. Project work often requires tasks to be done in stages, with additional time in between for reviews and revisions, please bear that in mind.
I’ll provide you with a bespoke quote after our initial chat and confirmed deliverables.
For example: design one print in one colourway, based on brief provided by client, provide artwork and specifications – Starting at £300/project.
For example: develop a small collection of prints, from concept and colour to print specifications, including range planning and visualisation – Starting at £3,000/project.
