Meet the Maker - Sophie Richardson

Wednesday, August 28, 2013
The Meet the Maker interview for today features the very lovely Sophie Richardson and her beautiful homewares, which are available in our SUMMER Paper Scissors Stone shop, here in Bristol - over to Sophie for a little more about her...

Please can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your work?
My name is Sophie Richardson. I am a surface designer creating colourful, illustrative patterns for ceramics, textiles and stationery. I used to work for big museums like the V&A which was really inspiring and helped me realise how much I wanted to design and create myself. In 2011 I came to Bristol to study for an MA in Graphic Arts and turned my love of mid century design into illustrations and patterns. I searched high and low to find specialist British manufacturers I could work with to create well made items using my print designs. I am now working in London again and busy conjuring up new ideas for the next additions to my range. 


Apart from creating things what else do you enjoy doing? 
If I’m not designing I’m probably cooking or eating, I love inventing recipes. I also love to explore wherever I am and often find ideas strike me when I’m out and about. I still visit Bristol a lot as many of my family and friends are there. I love a walk along the docks, ticking off my favourite haunts like the Arnolfini. For winding down a love a bit of pilates or a good book! 


Where does your inspiration come from? 
For as long as I know I have been interested in interior design and I can’t help hoarding things I find beautiful or interesting. Everywhere I inhabit gets filled with colourful things. Even during a brief spell in my parents attic! I covered the shelves with shells and teacups. I think the best ideas come from day dreaming and that might be on a walk in the park or it might be looking at a book of 1920’s textile designs. Inspiration can strike anywhere if you’re ready for it! 

Describe your studio or workspace? 
The most important part of my workspace is my Apple Mac and it goes wherever I go. That and the tablet attached to it which I use to draw on screen. I sketch my ideas on paper very quickly before I forget them and then I draw them again properly. The area around my desk changes depending what I want to look at that day but generally I try to keep it a clear white space to help me think. 


What is a typical work day for you? 
There is not really a typical day as I fit my own work in the evenings and weekends and lunch hours! During the week it’s mostly talking to suppliers and customers and stockists. I save designing as a weekend treat when there’s lots of light and time to get creative. 


What do you love most about what you do? 
I love that I have finally found a way to combine illustration and colour with tangible items that can be useful and cheering to people around the house. The best part is hearing back from customers who say how a product makes them smile or is the envy of their friends. 


If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be? 
Oooh, probably Vanessa Bell. She was one of the Bloomsbury group and painted really flamboyant motifs for fabric and china and if you go to Charleston House, her paintings are everywhere, all over the walls.


Which local artist/maker do you most admire?
I really like Emmeline Simpson’s portrayal of Bristol.


Tell us your current loves: 
* Shop - House of Eve
* Restaurant / CafĂ© - Bills 
* Blog - Swiss Miss 
* Magazine - The Simple Things 
* Book - The Printed Square 
* Designer / maker / artist - Matisse 


If you were stranded in the wilds somewhere, what item would you need with you the most?
Pen and paper.

Thank you Sophie, we absolutely adore that tea-towel, such a beauty!  

If you fancy filling your home with delicious items, then head on down to our Paper Scissors Stone, SUMMER shop - where it is full to the rafters with items to inspire!

Paper Scissors Stone
Quakers Friars
Cabot Circus
Bristol

Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm
Sun:  11am - 5pm


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