Heather is an amazing new talent to emerge in the UK. Currently in her final year of an integrated master’s degree, and having been shortlisted by New Designers in her category, she is definitely one to watch. Heather has spent the last 4 years at Swansea College of Art where she is in her final master’s year of a Surface Pattern and Textiles degree, and we couldn’t be happier to have her as part of the Designed and Created community.

Laura: How did your journey start as an artist?
Heather: My mum is a very talented artist and so for me this is how it began. It is something I grew up around! I would go with her to various gardens whilst she sat and drew. When I was small, I wasn’t so interested but as I got older, I started to try and copy what she was doing. Drawing and painting is something I have always had an innate interest in, I have always spent my spare time being creative, making and doing is really how I structure my life. 

L: How would you describe/explain your work/pieces?
H: My work is quirky and eclectic. I have a very vivid creative imagination and over the last couple of years I have learnt how to channel this into my work in a way which is personal, but with an element of style. I love to just go with the flow and see where my imagination takes me as I am drawing, nothing is right or wrong! Adopting this mindset has allowed me to really enjoy what I do. 

L: What’s important to you?
H: Personality and narrative. I think work that has personality is so essential to what I do. I love to make things which make people feel a certain way, and to give my illustrations personalities. Doing this allows me to create a narrative within my designs and creates more of a personal bond between artist and design. 

L: What are you working on at the moment?
H: At the moment I am in my fourth and final year of my degree on an integrated master’s course. I am about to begin working on my final project and collection which will be the ultimate celebration of everything I love about life. It is one of the main things that has brought me joy during the pandemic!