Heidi is a graphic designer in the architectural world and freelance designer the rest of the time, based between London and Oxfordshire. Heidi has a keen interest in typography and illustration, with as much passion for digital design as with hand created. Heidi approaches projects with care, passion, and a little humour.Her work is reflective of the world around her, with a particular love of overheard conversations and taking themes or phrases to inform a project.
I studied Interior Architecture, after graduating I didn’t know what I wanted to do, long story short, I designed a Birthday card for a friend and within 3 months had my own design business which after almost four years I decided to take a break from, all whilst having a full time job.
Getting an iPad Pro and using Procreate App gave the the confidence to draw again, I started playing around with hand lettering, type design, and illustration and loved working in the space between hand drawn and digital.
Overheard conversations and imperfect minimalism – whatever that really means!
I work full time as a graphic designer in an architects practice in London so we work with project teams to produce project identities, reports, presentations, animations, and anything visual for the office. I commute from Oxfordshire so try to use my train journey as an opportunity to be creative drawing on my iPad or researching for projects.
Take a break – that might be a cup of tea, a walk, a little Netflix, or sometimes you just have to persevere and something comes along – when time is limited sometimes this is the only option!
Not on the High Street, McLaggan Smith Mugs, and me/the Instagram world for fun!
iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, hands, pins & thread (drawing in 3D), brushes, calligraphy pens, black Indian ink, and good old pencil and paper.
Earwigging! Or even through conversations I have with others, sometimes I will hear a little phrase and I love it so I make a note of it in the notes app on my phone. When I’m ready to start a new project I look through the list and see what inspires me! Also, Instagram – I love saving cool posts in to a inspiration board, its contents vary from a particular style, colour, architecture, interiors, a pot I like.
Hmm, as I have always had a full time job my advice would be that its possible to do both – yes you don’t have as much time so you will need to be selective in what projects you work on, and yes you can feel exhausted 78% of the time, but it’s still possible to create. One day full time freelance might be for me, but for now I’m happy.
I could give a straightforward, possibly stereotypical, answer to this.. but really I’m not quite sure. I would love to create work that brings value to others, whether that be a campaign for a widely known company, or through posts to Instagram that makes someone smile as they scroll past.
Danii Pollehn is a print designer and illustrator living in Hamburg, Germany. After graduating with an honors in Fashion Design from the Academy of Fashion & Design in Berlin and Hamburg, Danii has worked as a freelance stylist for magazines and print-commercials for several years. With a special interest in nature, traveling and paying attention to the details in everyday surroundings Danii finds an endless source of inspiration to create unique and innovative artwork and designs.
I´m addicted to asian food, chocolate, trench-coats, Frank Ccean, Sampha and James Blake, my sneakers, books, art, breakfast, grocery shopping and I‘m leaving a crumb trail!
I was always painting and drawing so it seemed like a logic career path to me.
Plants and flowers of course but traveling and my every day surroundings are always a great way to get inspired!
Starting with a great breakfast afterwards checking and answering emails, and working and preparing orders. Painting in the afternoon and working on Instagram in the evening.
Just stop forcing it and try to use the time to meet friends and have long walks!
Recently I did flowers for a big company which I really enjoyed creating. Winning a design contest to have a textile design with Urban Outfitters was amazing when I started out, or I also enjoyed creating an entire print collection for a local surfwear company!
Procreate and Photoshop.
Pinterest or I also love to check out old books on fleamarkets!
Get yourself out there and start networking!
Designing for big fashion houses like Gucci or Chloe or just have my stuff on big billboards in NYC would be awesome! Having my own home decor collection with ikea would also be perfect!
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