Our fungi-themed design brief for Make it in Design
Last month, we collaborated with the online design school, Make it in Design, to challenge their students with a unique project: design a cushion for Wraptious inspired by mushrooms and fungi. We received many brilliantly colorful and creative submissions, but three designers stood out; Mary Broughton, Meg Harris and Emma Hopkinson. These designers' creations will be featured as cushions on our website for the rest of 2024! Here's a little more about the artists and their work...
Mary Broughton - "Forager Fodder."
Where are you from?
I live on the Gold Coast in sunny Queensland, Australia, where I have the rainforest and beach at my doorstep.
Which artist or designer has inspired your work?
As a surface pattern designer, there are so many artists whose work inspires and challenges me to continue to learn. Some of them are Jocelyn Proust, Rachael Taylor, Jess Williams, Georgia Breeze and Gail Myerscough.
What would your dream design gig be?
I would love to see my designs on the walls and soft furnishings of hotels, restaurants, and homes.
Why we loved her design: We thought this colour palette could fit into a variety of homes and we enjoyed how it reflected the natural colours found in mushrooms. There is also a nice balance between detail and a hand-drawn style. You can find and buy Mary's design as a cushion on our website.
Meg Harris - "Foraging Mushrooms"
Where are you from?
Witney, Oxfordshire I am super lucky to have a textile studio where I design and teach from.
Which artist or designer has inspired your work?
There are so many, I’m a real sponge for designers and have been known to buy cards with no intention of sending them as I just LOVE the designs. Designers like Stop the clock designs, Dawn Machell, and Caroline Gardner are a real inspiration.
What would your dream design gig be?
Oh my goodness, I think to have my own fabric range would be the absolute dream.
Why we loved her design: The colours in this are striking and we enjoyed the strong repeating pattern, which almost looks like textile art. This would make a great feature cushion. You can find and buy Meg's design as a cushion here, or take a look at her website.
Emma Hopkinson - "Night Mushrooms"
Where are you from?
I live in a small village in the Cotswolds and am surrounded by fields and woods, which definitely feeds into my art. My children are obsessed nature and mushrooms in particular so this brief was perfect for me.
Which artist or designer has inspired your work?
My favourite artists are Geninne D Zlatkis, Mark Hearld and Ohn Mar Win, all artists who have very different and very distinctive styles. I also love the bright colours of Rachael Taylor and Cat Coquillette. They have all influenced my work in different ways.
What would your dream design gig be?
I would love to license my patterns to a fabric company or interiors brand.
Why we loved her design: we enjoyed the use of simple outlines to create a repeating pattern and the bold colour palette in this design. You can find and buy Emma's design as a cushion on our website.
