Holly Aspinall – New Tenant

Tell us about your business/creative practice? 

I am a surface pattern designer and Illustrator for lifestyle products such as stationery and fashion. 

 

What’s the story behind why you started your business and your journey to where you are today

I have always known I wanted a creative, design related career. After graduating with a degree in Illustration in 2019, I explored several different pathways, including a work placement in scenic painting at the Royal Opera House. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but it also reinforced my passion for illustration and drawing.

While working part-time, I focused on finding creative opportunities and developing my portfolio. This led to my first commission, painting a ram for the Derby Ram Trail. Sponsored by East Midlands Railway, my Ram sculpture was displayed at Derby Railway Station.

I then worked part-time in a museum, which was a wonderful environment to be creative in while continuing to build my portfolio. It was during this time that I discovered surface pattern and print design, and began transforming my illustrations into repeat patterns.

My first full-time design role was as a Design Assistant for a children’s wear brand near London. I learnt so much during my time there, gaining valuable industry experience. After a few years in the industry, I decided to go freelance. I wanted more freedom to pursue the type of creative work I was passionate about, while applying the skills and experience I’d gained to build my own creative practice.

 

What University did you graduate from?  What course did you study? 

Norwich university of the arts- BA hons Illustration 

 

 

How will/does being based at Banks Mill/Innovation Hothouse help your business? 

I’m so excited to be part of such an inspiring creative community. Having a dedicated studio space is already making a huge difference, giving me somewhere to focus completely on my freelance work and be surrounded by other creatives. Everyone has been so welcoming, and I’m looking forward to all the opportunities, support and connections that come with being based here. It feels like the perfect place to experiment, grow my practice and push my work in new directions. I’m particularly excited to start developing my own product range alongside my freelance business.

 

What are you working on in the studio now? 

I am balancing working on client work and also finding time to create my own product range which I am hoping to launch in the next few months. It’s going to be lovely to see my patterns on my own range of products. 

 

 

Tell us a bit about your work/techniques/how long a piece takes to complete etc 

I usually start working on procreate on my Ipad to draw the elements that will go into the repeat pattern or design. I then make the final design layout in Adobe Illustrator where I can play around with colourways and layout.  Depending on how complicated the patterns are it can be a few hours to a day to create up to 2 patterns and to then fine tune them.

 

What are your plans for the first 12 months at Banks Mill?

My plans for the next 12 months are to grow my client work more and do more in terms of art licensing my existing work. I am also going to be creating my own product line of gift wrap, cards, prints and other printed goods.