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Deck the Halls
Listed under: Trend Report
Published: Thursday, October 30, 2008
British design; American production. Helen Jones, designer for GCD Studios, explains the creation of a very special Christmas range
The Inspiration
I work in pencil and watercolour to create traditional designs that are based on simple pleasures. Living in America now, the concept of my work comes from growing up in the UK. I get inspiration from remembering simple things I enjoyed with my family and friends, like going on picnics, walking in the woods, baking a cake and teatime. Teapots, cakes and flowers re some of the things I love to paint. I think the resulting designs stand out because they're drawn by hand rather than developed by computer.
The Design Process
Before I adapt my initial designs to scrapbook papers I spend a lot of time working out what makes a paper work for a scrapbooker. Functionality is a very important part of paper design. I developed a grid system that allows people to easily matt the designs as a backing paper, cut out borders or choose individual pictures which can be used as a highlight or accent. At the most recent CHA show in Anaheim I really listened to how people use the papers. I found that crafters liked to have smaller images that could be used for intricate cards or name tags.
The Look
I start off of any range by thinking about scrapbooking and the photos that might be used on the pages. The Christmas range is a great example: first you choose the tree and decorate it and then you start the holiday baking so I have created papers around those themes. What I consider the lead paper, called 'Tis the Season' focuses on the most important time – opening the presents together! It features images of toys and baubles; I can really see it used with photos of people of all generations opening their gifts. The range also includes classic checks patterned papers, all backed with coordinating greens and reds in a watercolour wash. As an artist I feel that the complementary colours are so perfect, it doesn't get any more traditional than that and they fit in so well with what I do.
The Feel
My designs are of happy things that make people feel good. My hand-painted Christmas puddings and toys are symbolic of things that are made with love rather than bought from a store. I think someone who takes the trouble to make a special cake or present is also the person who takes the time to put together a really beautiful scrapbook.
Deck The Halls by GDC Studio is exclusively available from GCD Studios. You can locate distributors and stockists at http://www.gcdstudios.com/contact.asp
I work in pencil and watercolour to create traditional designs that are based on simple pleasures. Living in America now, the concept of my work comes from growing up in the UK. I get inspiration from remembering simple things I enjoyed with my family and friends, like going on picnics, walking in the woods, baking a cake and teatime. Teapots, cakes and flowers re some of the things I love to paint. I think the resulting designs stand out because they're drawn by hand rather than developed by computer.
The Design Process
Before I adapt my initial designs to scrapbook papers I spend a lot of time working out what makes a paper work for a scrapbooker. Functionality is a very important part of paper design. I developed a grid system that allows people to easily matt the designs as a backing paper, cut out borders or choose individual pictures which can be used as a highlight or accent. At the most recent CHA show in Anaheim I really listened to how people use the papers. I found that crafters liked to have smaller images that could be used for intricate cards or name tags.
The Look
I start off of any range by thinking about scrapbooking and the photos that might be used on the pages. The Christmas range is a great example: first you choose the tree and decorate it and then you start the holiday baking so I have created papers around those themes. What I consider the lead paper, called 'Tis the Season' focuses on the most important time – opening the presents together! It features images of toys and baubles; I can really see it used with photos of people of all generations opening their gifts. The range also includes classic checks patterned papers, all backed with coordinating greens and reds in a watercolour wash. As an artist I feel that the complementary colours are so perfect, it doesn't get any more traditional than that and they fit in so well with what I do.
The Feel
My designs are of happy things that make people feel good. My hand-painted Christmas puddings and toys are symbolic of things that are made with love rather than bought from a store. I think someone who takes the trouble to make a special cake or present is also the person who takes the time to put together a really beautiful scrapbook.
Deck The Halls by GDC Studio is exclusively available from GCD Studios. You can locate distributors and stockists at http://www.gcdstudios.com/contact.asp
