Amanda Magnano

To give us a sense of you as a designer, what is your major and why?

My love affair with textiles began with hand knitting. When I realised I could make things from sticks and yarn, it was exhilarating. From here it became an obsession which was fuelled by the internet and the indie craft revolution. Etsy was just beginning and craft blogging was widespread. I knew something was happening and I wanted to get involved. Textile design seemed like the place to start.

 

“If things start happening, don't worry, don't stew, just go right along and you'll start happening too" or so says Dr Seuss. How do you get started on a new project?

Research… it might start with trend forecasting web sites, but then I will look at fashion, home wares and other web sites to get an overall picture of the market. I love finding a key image that will determine my colour palette… travel photos, urban landscapes and nature shots. I also look through magazines, stitch and pattern books, and just let my intuition guide me to the direction I should take. The research will begin to tell a story and each element will focus the details.

 

Why textile design? (Or maybe by the end of the course, why not...!)

It just makes sense to be a textile designer… I've done web and graphic design and both seem two dimensional after working with my hands to create cloth that can be made into an object, clothing or work of art. There is something incredibly powerful in continuing the traditional hand crafts that have been practised by my ancestors and there is always so much more to learn.