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Article: Birdie Spotlight: Genna Campton, Surface Designer

Birdie Spotlight: Genna Campton, Surface Designer

Birdie Spotlight: Genna Campton, Surface Designer

ย  ย  ย  ย  Weโ€™re thrilled to have finally released our Blackbird Exclusive Summer 2021 Print collection! This range of five midweight linens and ten lightweight ECOVEROโ„ข wovens features a playful array of bold, whimsical prints that are well-suited to statement pieces and everyday basics, alike. As these prints begin to make their way into the world, we wanted to take a moment to introduce you to the creative mind behind this collection, our in-house surface designer, Genna Campton!

Genna Campton

ย  ย  ย  ย  A talented illustrator, print designer, and sewist, Genna joined our team after making the move to Vancouver all the way from Melbourne. With a focus on bringing an organic touch to all her pieces through texture and linework, Gennaโ€™s designs are filled with contemporary motifs ranging from bold, cheerful florals to inky ceramic-inspired prints.

ย  ย  ย  ย  We sat down with Genna to ask a few questions about her process and the exciting projects she has coming up next!

Ceramic Studio - Original Sketches

Original sketchesย forย our Ceramic Studio print
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As an artist, how did you first get started in surface design? What spurred that decision?
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Genna: I started working as a freelance illustrator more than 10 years ago after studying illustration and graphic design. Although most of the projects I was working on were for publishing clients, I always had a love for textiles and wanted to create illustrations for fabric. I first experimented with screen printing, hand painting fabrics, and reading all I could about textile design. I eventually did a surface design course about 3 years ago to fill the gaps in my knowledge. From there, I started designing my own prints, having fabrics printed locally, and using that fabric to make products to sell so that I had a way to practice my skills and build my portfolio. Iโ€™ve been working as an in-house designer at Blackbird Fabrics for a year or so now and I still do freelance illustration and surface design on the side.
Squiggle Daisy - Original Sketch
Original sketch for our Squiggle Daisyย print
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Knowing that many of your surface design prints start out as illustrations, what is your favourite part of the process when it comes to developing a new print? What is the aspect you find the most challenging?

G: I love the development stage, where I might take an inky drawing or sketch and try to work out the best way to create a repeat print from it onscreen - this can also be the most challenging part as I try to get the print to look flowing and seamless. I also love playing with scale and colour once we've decided on our favourite designs - a different colour palette and scale can completely transform the way a print looks and feels! Beyond that, one of my favourite parts of the process as a whole is always seeing what our Blackbird customers and team make from all of the fabrics that end up in each collection.
Ceramic Studio - Original Sketch
Original sketchย for our Ceramic Studio print
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Finding inspiration can often be a challenging process for any artist, where do you tend to pull inspiration from?

G: Iโ€˜m inspired by my surroundings and the things I see when Iโ€™m out walking or riding my bike - everyday things can spark an idea for a print or a colour palette. I moved to Vancouver from Australia in December of 2019, and fell pretty hard for all the beautiful flowers and gardens that I saw in the spring! This has definitely inspired me to create more florals this year. During the height of the pandemic when I was spending a lot more time indoors, I was obsessed with drawing still life illustrations which led to designs like the Ceramic Studio print. And, of course, cats always seem to inspire my work!
Garden Bloom - Original Sketch
Original sketchย for our Garden Bloom print
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Not to make you choose favourites, but are there any prints you have your eye on from this Summer Print collection? If so, any plans on what youโ€™ll make with them?

G: There are a few on my list! Iโ€™m planning a Vivian Shao Chen #LaurenceTop from our Ceramic Studio Linen in Madder & Ivory and a Birgitta Helmersson #ZWCroppedShirt with a gathered sleeve in the Cat Nap Linen. Iโ€™m also tempted to make the new Friday Pattern Co #SaltwaterSlip from our Riverbed ECOVEROโ„ข Challis in Black & Stone White.

https://gennacampton.com/shop

Jacquard Throw Blankets in Daisy, Vases, and Abstract Floral

And lastly, are there any projects in the pipeline that youโ€™re particularly excited about?


G: Alongside our exclusive print collections, weโ€™ve been busy working away on some other very exciting custom projects here at Blackbird HQ. These projects arenโ€™t printed fabrics...but youโ€™ll just have to wait and see what they are! I also just launched my very own line of woven jacquard throw blankets that Iโ€™m very excited about!

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