Behind the Prints: Emma J Shipley Discusses Art, Nature and Design
EXPERTS 15.10.24
Q: Describe yourself in 3 words.
Nature-loving designer.
Q: Your love of print is very clear. Tell us where it all began?
I think it came from my love of art. From a young age I loved drawing and painting, and would even draw my pet cat. I also remember visiting galleries and being inspired - one of my earliest art memories is seeing ‘Surprised!’, one of the famous tiger paintings by Henri Rousseau, in the National Gallery as a child. When I went to art school, I found I loved the combination of artistry and practicality that could be found in textiles - I liked creating something that could be useful as well as beautiful.
Q: What do you want people to feel when they look at your designs?
Like they’re an explorer viewing exciting new worlds. Inspired and imaginative.
Q: Where does your inspiration come from?
I love to travel for inspiration, especially to see unspoilt nature and animals in the wild. Alongside photographs I take while travelling, I take inspiration from other areas such as fantasy literature, films and artists. These influences are mixed together and form the basis of each of my collections.
Q: Drawing is a key part of your design process, talk us through your different design stages?
Once I’ve gathered all my design inspiration and images, I start doing very rough layout sketches, then work in pencil on paper at a large scale. This part of the process can take weeks as my designs are so detailed. After completing a drawing, I have this scanned into the computer and work on colour digitally. This is a time consuming process but means that I can create lots of different colourways from one design. The drawing stays unchanged apart from the added colour, so it retains its hand-drawn quality. Once the artwork is completed digitally, this can be scaled and made print-ready depending on the planned material and end product.
Q: Who, what or where has been your biggest design influence?
There are many, but I think one of the most important would be William Morris. I love his use of repeating pattern, symmetry and nature, and find it very inspiring that designs he created so long ago are still popular and in use in the present day. I also aim to create designs that have substance and longevity - I would like to imagine my designs being enjoyed for many years to come.
Q: Exotic animals are a big part of your work. Where’s the most exotic place you’ve visited?
I’m lucky to have been able to visit many of my dream destinations for wildlife. In terms of most exotic, Costa Rica is hard to beat. I stayed at a remote eco lodge called Bosque del Cabo on the Osa Peninsula, where I was surrounded by wildlife every day. I definitely had the sense that this was the animals’ home and I was just a visitor. Macaws, monkeys, coatis, peccaries, blue morpho butterflies and bats were all common daily sightings. A puma was even spotted while I was there which I would love to see one day! I have been working on a design inspired by this trip which I’m really excited about and will be coming later this year.
Q: How do you incorporate sustainability into your business?
It’s something I’ve incorporated into the heart of the brand from the start, especially in terms of creating pieces to last, choosing natural materials and ethical, local making. I hope I can convert more people to ‘buy less and buy better’, which as consumers is one of the biggest ways we can make a change. We also support the World Land Trust, our charity partner who does amazing work protecting and restoring habitat for endangered wildlife.
Q. Favourite homeware piece from your collection?
Currently it’s our Lynx Blush Bedding, which has just made a comeback after being sold out for sometime. It really transforms a bedroom in an instant. We’ve also improved the thread count on this cotton bedding, so it’s softer than ever, and feels so beautiful to sleep under.
Q: Highest point of your career?
I loved collaborating with Disney and Star Wars as I’d been such a fan of the original trilogy as a child. Launching the Star Wars collection I’d created in Selfridges (and going to the London premiere of The Force Awakens movie) was a real pinch-me moment!
Q: Tell us something about yourself that we would never guess.
I loved David Blaine when he started out as a street magician, so I learnt some card tricks myself which I can still do! It’s a great party trick to have up your sleeve.
Q: What’s coming next?
We have just launched our new Wallpaper Murals which I’m really delighted with and can’t wait to see them transforming people’s homes. We also have a new collection coming soon which I’m really excited about and will be summer holiday essentials! Watch this space.
