Customer Spotlight- Finnikee Design

Posted on 12th June 2018 by Emily
Filed under Customer Spotlight

Hi I’m Becky, a Graphic Designer based in the South West. I started Finnikee Design in late 2017 as a side project to my full time job. I love all things creative and although digital design is my passion, I also enjoy hand making crafts, and experimenting with tie-dye.

My digital artwork is made by sourcing vintage public domain illustrations, and combining them together with the help of Photoshop and Illustrator to create new abstract designs. There are so many fantastic and interesting vintage illustrations I love the challenge of finding the perfect combination of illustrations and coming up with unique ways turning them into a new exciting image.

Geronimo Paper A5

1. What was your inspiration for setting up Finnikee Design?

As a bit of a comic book nerd, I love going to comic conventions. My favourite part of going to conventions is visiting stalls of independent artists. I find it really inspiring to see other designers and artists selling their own work, and it is one of the main reasons I began Finnikee Design.

I also wanted an outlet to explore my creativity outside my day job, as I love experimenting with design and crafts. I am always looking for new and interesting ways to make art and by setting up Finnikee Design it has given me the motivation to keep experimenting and keep creating!

2. What is your most popular design, and what was the process of creating it?

My most popular design is probably “Sleepy Time Tea”, which features a mermaid asleep in a teacup. Usually when I come up with designs I will look for vintage illustrations , on websites that specialise in public domain images. Once I’ve had a browse, I formulate an idea in my head for a final design. However, with “Sleepy Time Tea” I came up with the idea first before knowing if I could find any vintage illustrations that would help me create this idea. Luckily after a bit of searching I found what I needed! I then used Photoshop to edit and combine the images, and finally used illustrator to add some fine detailing to bring the design together.

Sleepy Time Tea Pearl A5

3. Where did you learn all of your Graphic Design skills?

I studied Graphic Design at secondary school where I first discovered my love for it. I eventually went on to study and graduate with a Graphic Design degree from Plymouth College of Art. It was a great experience and really helped refine my skills. Since graduating in 2014 I went on to work as an Artworker for a few years and am now working as a Graphic Designer. I have learnt many things as I have progressed through my career through a mix of self teaching and learning from others.

Death Squad A5 Grey

4. What tips would you give to someone who wanted to set up their own business?

I’m in the very early stages of starting my business so I’ve still got a lot to learn myself. However, my advice to anyone wanting to start up a business is JUST DO IT! I know it’s easier said than done but it is also easy to be held back by various things, like not knowing if you are ready or prepared enough - but once you start the process you learn as you go along. There are lots of great books and online resources that will help. One thing I’ve found really usefully since I started Finnikee Design, is keeping notes, I have various notebooks all over the place, in my bag, on my desk , on my bedside table - so whenever I come up with an idea I can jot them down straight away. I like to set myself goals to work towards, so simple things like making To-Do lists is a great way to organise my plans and keep me on track to achieve my next goal.

5. Do you have any advice for any aspiring Graphic Designers?

Keep practising and keep experimenting to find your own unique style. Find the best tools and programmes that suit you and the work you want to create. For years I used to design with a mouse but then switched to using a Graphics Tablet and found it really helped improve my design skills. Persistence is key, the more you create the better designer become. There are loads of tutorials online and those are a great place to start.

Jealousy A5 Hammered White

6. You purchase papermilldirect’s card and paper, what makes you choose our card over everyone else’s?

When I was researching what paper to buy and where to buy it from , I ordered many samples to try out. Papermilldirect’s card stood out to me for its quality and range of options. I was looking for card I could print onto and that would also compliment my designs. I wanted something a bit different to really make my prints stand out, and that’ why I choose them to by my paper from.