Elizabeth Workman

“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?

I work well with brief systems whether they are my own or given to me. Without a brief my mind is like a butterfly fluttering from one idea to the next. I usually try and make the initial step a fun one. I enjoy finding a lovely cafe, where I can have a coffee, and take my time reading over the brief. I take notes and start browsing through the internet just to get some concepts rolling. Then I tend to sit on it for a week, and my mind starts giving me some exciting leads to follow.

 

Bricolage is about using and utilising what you find to hand. What tools or techniques do you find you can’t help coming back to?

As a knit major, I find that I always want to start concepts on the Singer single bed knitting machine. I tend to work in one colour and I enjoy developing structures. I should use the double bed knitting machine more, or hand knitting but the Singer is like my go to blank page, it's my notebook. I feel good starting here, then I plan out from that a process. I couldn't live without one.

 

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

I wanted to be an industrial designer and interior designer. I essentially wanted to design products for the interiors market. Industrial design seemed too broad, and interior design was more about using other peoples products. Textile design sits right in the middle. By working with constructed textiles whilst refining my traditional hand generated studio skills, I am now in a position to make 3D products such as lighting as well as wallpaper and fabric. It's perfect!