Designer Interview

Tasmania based designer & creator of

RED PARKA

Jennifer Skelly

When did you know you wanted to be a designer?
I have always loved art and design but it was not til I was around

30 that I realised it was my calling in life. Prior to that I had

worked in numerous jobs and also ran my own business but

all in areas that didn't really make me happy. It was like

treading water, but I didn't know where to go next so I just kept going.

I started selling at markets during a time of unemployment and to my

great surprise, people seemed to like my drawings! I often say this whole

career as an illustrator and designer was an accident, because it was

never part of my masterplan, but it is the only thing I've ever done in

my life that make me feel whole and these days,

I could not imagine doing anything else!

How would you describe your design style?
It's hard to say as I like to think it's continually changing and developing.

But if I had to classify it I would say it's bold, playful and simple.

I like bright colours, white space and bold patterns, but I also like to

experiment and try to ensure I am continually challenging myself

to learn and grow as a designer.

What creative people, things or materials inspire your designs?
Oh my goodness... there is so much! It's probably clear that I am

endlessly inspired by nature, particularly the animal kingdom, and I also

love vintage/retro design. I'm a happy artist, in the sense that I can't

produce when I'm unhappy and I think my work reflects that. I

much prefer living in my own rose-tinted version of life than the real

world and that is sometimes really hard to do (the real world is

constantly reminding me of it's existence, unfortunately!), but when

I am in that place (my world), that's when I do the work

I'm most proud of.

How does a typical day of work for you go?
The first thing I do every day is make a pot of coffee then check my

email and other social media (yes, I'm a social media junkie!), and

respond to anything that needs a response. Then I work on my blog -

I post almost every day on the blog and it's a really important part of

what I do, as well as my favourite part of each day! This usually takes

up most of the morning. I try to get out of the house everyday and this

usually happens around midday and involves a trip to the post office to

send orders and a walk on the beach or in the bush with our dog Benny.

The afternoon will consist of working on new projects or designs if I'm

feeling inspired and creative, or if I'm not, I'll produce

and/or package existing work.

What is your process when creating a new design?
I always start with pencil and paper. Once I'm happy with a design,

I'll do a version in black fineliner, then scan it into the computer.

From there, I use photoshop to fine tune and colour the image.

I do most of my final layout work in inDesign, then convert to PDF

ready for printing.

What would you like people to enjoy most about your designs?
The thing I love the most is when people laugh when they see my work.

I often have people pointing and giggling at my market stall at my funny

looking animals or quirky quotes, and this makes me feel like I've done my 

ob well. I have no desire to be a famous artist who has huge exhibitions

and sells pieces for thousand of dollars (luckily, as it would never happen!)

but I get a huge amount of satisfaction when my work make people

smile and laugh and they walk away with a little bag of Red Parka

goodies that make them happy.

What makes your designs unique?
That's hard for me to say, but I suppose they are unique because

they are mine! I like to think that I have a slightly unique way of looking

at the world and that this is reflected in my work. But ultimately, I just do

what comes into my mind and what I like doing, and if other

people like that too, then that that's awesome!

What is your advice to aspiring designers?
No matter what, don't give up. The design world is a funny place and it's

easy to feel intimidated, or like you don't fit in - I know this because

I've been there! But ultimately, my only real advice is to keep going,

keep dreaming the dream you have and everyday, do something,

no matter how small, to get you one tiny bit closer to the life you dream of.

You'll have good days and bad days (my excuse is the artistic

temperament, but maybe that's just me!) but just keep on putting

one foot in front of the other and you'll get where you want to go.

And on a slightly more practical note, draw (or whatever your artform is)

everyday. Even if you're uninspired and everything you draw is crap,

do it anyway, even if it's just for 5 minutes. This is how you refine your skills.

I learned so much as an illustrator and grew significantly as an artist

when I undertook a 'drawing-a-day' challenge, and even though I miss

days form time to time, I try to keep doing this as much as I can.

What designs will you be selling at the Handmade September Market?
I will have a mix of old and new designs at Canberra Handmade

in September. If you've seen me there before, you'll recognise

some of the work, but over the last few months I've been working

on a whole bunch of new designs that will be seen for the first time

at Canberra Handmade! I hope you like them!

Find the giggle triggering treats of Red Parka at the
Handmade Market Saturday the 29th & Sunday the 30th of September
National Convention Centre, Canberra from 10am-4pm