Emily Kiddy - Print and Graphic designer

So far on Monster create and make, I have featured character designs for soft toys. 

Another fascination I have is character design for the apparel market....one designers work that caught my eye is Emily Kiddy.
 

Emily Kiddy studied fashion enterprise and guest lectures at the University of Creative Arts in Epsom, Surrey. Emily designs for Jo Jo Maman Bebe. You can see Emily's designs for Jo Jo Maman Bebe here at emilykiddy.blogspot.com. Jo Jo Maman Bebe is just one in Emily's client list!
 

If you are interested in designing for the apparel market, Emily's blogs are a must read. A wealth of information about fashion can be found on Emily's other blog here fashionstudentshub.blogspot.com
 

Emily's talent covers everything from fashion, textiles, home-ware, gift, stationery and trendforcasting. Monster create and make loves Emily's designs and is very excited to have Emily feature. Emily has kindly answered a few questions about her designs. Thank you Emily for sharing with us

- Tell us more about yourself, what/who inspired you to design for the apparel market?

I’ve always enjoyed creating things, ever since I was little.  I would always be designing and making things and would never be far from a pot of glue or a set of paints!  When it came to leaving school I went on to do my A-levels that were all in creative subjects.  Then I went on to do an art foundation year before going off to University to study for me degree in Fashion Enterprise.  I guess I just kept doing what I loved and enjoyed and its gradually led me to where I am now.

- Emily your creative talent is wide ranging. Trend forecasting, fashion design, cards, gift wrap, pattern surface design. What is your favourite part of your job?

It’s hard to say, I really do enjoy the whole process.  I do love researching at the beginning of the season and coming up with all my trend stories.  I always wonder what sort of designs will come from them and its always the time I feel most inspired.

- Do you keep a sketchbook? would you mind showing us a bit of your work in progress, from sketch to final piece?

All my design work I do straight onto my computer so I don’t really keep a sketchbook.  I use a pen pad instead of a mouse; this allows me to be very accurate with my hand drawing/sketch work.  I use this like a pencil on paper and the image appears straight on my screen. 

I have been working on some new print concepts of monsters today.  I have created them by scanning fingerprints onto my computer then tracing over them and making them into fun monster characters.

- What are your tools of the trade, Do you use any computer software packages for your designs?

I use both a mac book pro and an i mac computer.  I use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for the majority of my work.

- I notice you have some characters on your blog. Stu and Dave are my Favourites. Do you have any more characters you can share with us?

I get commissioned by various clients to do character work.  Here are a few I have been working on recently.

- How do you decide on the type of fabric used in one of your apparel designs? 

It depends a lot on the type of garment as well as the application I’m going to put on it e.g. an applique or print.  I like to try and get a lot of texture into my work which I think works great for kids garments.  I like putting jersey appliques on denim and denim chambray appliques on jersey to make a really layered tactile and fun application.

- When designing for a client, is there much deviation from your design to final piece?

Obviously things change as different people offer input and opinions throughout the design process!  Also, with such big challenges with garment cost at present, it’s important to use new and fun ways of embellishing garments while keeping to a lower price point.  This also means that some of my designs that may start off highly embellished have to be simplified on occasions to meet competitive price points too.

- Emily, one more question Cadburys creme egg or Kinder Surprise?

Definitely Kinder Surprise…I love making something while I eat chocolate at the same time!  It’s the perfect treat!

Computer Arts-make a plush toy from your vector design

If you have ever wanted to make your character as a plush toy then this feature from Computer Arts magazine, will be useful.  Using your vector artwork, this tutorial shows how you can make a pattern from your design and make your fabric plush. Click on the image above to download the tutorial.

Book recommendation - Pictoplasma

In the year 2000, Pictoplasma was born. 'A platform for an extensive collection and archive of contemporary character design'. Pictoplasma, the book, is quite old now, I have owned it for many years. It is a joy to look through...again and again. Now if that is not a recommendation I don't know what is. The photos, above, were taken by me, and I apologise, the photographic quality is not brilliant. But why would I post more pictures of Pictoplasma? when I suggest buying a copy of your own. Pictoplasma would definitely be worth spending your hard earned cash on.

Michelle Romo - Master of a Universe

Michelle Romo is a creative force. Energetic, fun and colourful, it is true to say Michelle's work appeals to all ages. Michelle's company Crowded Teeth began in 2004. Following on from an illustration a day for one year to create a handmade limited edition book, Crowded Teeth next project is called Super Mini Universe. Take a look at this Kickstarter project by Michelle, it is amazing. The creation of a 2d illustration into a 3D version using a variety of media is very exciting. I will be following.....

Tad Carpenter World of whimsy

What is it I love about Tad Carpenters work?......EVERYTHING.
The above video is a must see."The act of play. The importance of play" no truer word said. Tad Carpenter is a king of character design.

 Click on the picture above to go to Tad Carpenters website

Melanie Audet of Curious Little Bird

"So, what about all the other lovely characters?"....
Here is one of my favourite Etsy finds..
Montreal based designer, Melanie Audet of Curious Little Bird, has gone from strength to strength.
Melanies success is visible from the craft and love she puts into creating her monsters.
I am really excited to feature Curious Little Bird. Melanie has kindly agreed to share her work with me and answer a few questions. Inspirational, I hope you enjoy reading about Melanie and Curious Little Bird.


-Tell us more about you
I went to school 8 years ago for Graphic Design and Illustration, and worked in that industry for the past 7 years. I lost my job in January of 2011, and spent the better part of the year looking for work. At some point I started making more monsters, and a few months later I could tell how well received it was. Plus, I was having fun making monsters. In July I had decided to start my own business making monsters, and approached the government when I heard of a program that helps new entrepreneurs start their own business. They provide weekly courses, counselors to help with the business plan writing, and even financial assistance to pay for rent and bills. This program is only offered in Montreal, and it's called SAJE, and I was very lucky to be considered as well as accepted into the program. :-) It's a year long program, and the first 3 months are all business plan writing which is dull, but necessary. Everyone says a good, well thought out business plan leads to a great business.

 - You are super talented and very creative, what and who inspires you?
I get inspired by other plush artists I see on Etsy, and sometimes by people. I don't have any specific people on Etsy to mention, but it can be a colour here, a fur choice there. One time I met this little blond woman with these really big, black glasses, and I was inspired to make a hipster bunny. I never know where this inspiration will come from.

 - I love the fact each of your monsters have a name and personality. are they based on people you know?
Sometimes the people in my life are the inspiration for my monster's names, but their stories are all pure fiction. I have a really vivid imagination, and I will just prattle off a story from the top of my head. Is it weird that they have people names? :-) I don't think so. My monsters are your new best friend!

 - Do you keep a sketchbook?
I have several sketchbooks. I have so many, in fact, that I think my apartment would burst into flames quite quickly. Most of my sketchbooks are from my college days when I was studying illustration, but I do have one book that's only full of monster ideas. I have another one for fun sketches when I feel like I need to draw.

 - would you mind showing us the work in progress for one of your monsters? 
Sure! These are photos of me hard at work in September. I had just started selling my monsters in a few shops in town, and getting prepared for the upcoming fair in October.

Here is a pile of cut out furry bodies, faces and horns out of felt, and arms and legs already sewn but still inside out.

I spent a few hours turning everything right side out, and started stuffing all the limbs. I had 2 of every thing, and I believe there are about 16-18 monsters on this table. This part was enjoyable because I was able to do this while watching a movie. I don't have to worry about sewing my finger or something. Haha

Here they are sewn together, but not stuffed yet. Aren't they cute?

- Sewing is an awesome skill to have, tell us where did you learn to craft these well made monsters?
Good question! I've always been a crafty person. I took a sewing course when I was 17, but I think it was to learn how to use a sewing machine. I've been able to make bags, simple backpacks, purses, since I was 20 years old, and a few years later I progressed to making pants. Monsters aren't much different. The only really challenging part is sewing with fur. Not the easiest material to work with, but looks great when it's done!

 - where do you see yourself in a few years time?
I was asked the same question in one of my business classes, and I think in 3 years I'll be really busy, have my own monster shop open, and a small selection of employees helping me to keep up with orders. :) This is my ideal future self. If I'm really lucky, I'll find a store with an apartment directly above, so that my commute will be short.

Thank you Melanie, for sharing with us.

Look out for more monsters from Melanie. You can follow Melanie on Twitter, facebook and Curious Little Bird blog

New Year, new start...Gingerbread mamas and papas

Above: Gingerbread bookend from Mamas and papas

Hello and welcome to Monster create and make.

After looking for a 'cuddly' christmas present. I wanted something 'different', something creative, something inspiring. Uninspired I looked around on the internet and found some very creative characters...

The gift I decided to buy was Gingerbread. Gingerbread got a few 'grown up' admirers and the toddler I bought it for loves it. Good news.

So what about all the other lovely characters?

Well hopefully they will appear here in monster create and make blog. There is another world out there...it may have two eyes, five legs, looks like a sponge...the possiblities are endless.

All comments are greatly appreciated and if are you a designer/maker of characters, I would love to hear from you.