Naomi Richards is a Print designer based in London who is inspired by colours, curiosities, objects and illustration, combining both hand drawn and digital work to create exciting pieces.
What is your specialised area and how long have you been working in this area?
My specialised area is Print for Fashion, I have been working in this area for 4 years.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Getting to be creative especially when working on projects for London Fashion week where you get to push your concept a little further. Seeing people wearing your designs.
How would you define your style?
Colourful & fun yet wearable…Sophistication with a Smile.
Since you have been a designer what have you found most profitable?
Working on more commercial projects for high street…it’s where the money is.
What trade shows do you exhibit your work in?
I have recently got an agent who will sell my work globally at trade shows, I was print designer at PPQ where my designs were shown at LFW. My work tends to be on a commission basis so trade shows are a new avenue for me.
What are the most orders you have had from a trade shows?
Not sure yet, my agent is off to a trade show next week so fingers crossed.
What trade shows would you recommend?
Premier Vision
What would you say your top tips are after graduating?
Don’t give up, it’s a tough industry but you have to stick at it.
Network, network, network.
Get a shop/pub job to pay the rent, focus on contacting companies and introducing yourself, send promotional packs be annoying and pester people at your dream company.
Do internships to get your foot in the door, show willing and you are more likely to get a job once they know you and you know how the company works…stay late and smile with no complaints, make lots of tea for the team and make yourself indispensable. It’s worked for me!
What inspires you?
Colour, my girlfriends, summer time, objects, curiosities, graphics, illustration, 60’s & 70’s design and animals!
What artist's / Designers are you inspired by?
Katie Hillier, Marc Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel, DVF, Elsa Schiaparelli.
Since you have become a freelance designer what have you learned?
Be strong and don’t let people take advantage of you by copying your ideas, be organised, research and know your stuff when presenting ideas.
Do you have a particular design process?
I do lots of research and create mood boards to work from constantly with the client in mind, sketch ideas consider what would be the best media and whether it should be done by hand or with CAD, and I drink lots of tea!
Who is your target market?
Luxury, high-end market.
Do you advertise?
I have a website and send out promotion packs to keep people up to date with what I am doing.
Throughout this interview she mentioned about promotional packs which I was unsure about what she meant by these so I emailed her to ask what she meant and her response was: ‘A promotion pack is when you make a nice booklet, poster... something creative to display your work to generate interest in you designs.'
