Greetings Today: Creating The Unexpected

We are delighted to have been featured in Greetings Today, the UK's largest-circulation and widest-read greetings trade magazine. Read on to learn more about Sara's journey, inspiration and design process...

 

 

Tell us a little about the story behind you becoming an artist.

For as long as I can remember, I have had an obsession with print, pattern and colour; I have always been happiest when I am tucked away with a sketch book. My Mum will tell me about the hours I spent as a child sitting at my red Fisher Price table with my pad of paper, colour pencils and a big imagination!

I’ve always loved exploring new colour combinations and creating something unexpected. I did art all the way through school and then studied Surface Pattern design for my degree which led me to start doing print design across all surfaces, so it was quite a natural progression for me to end up with a career in design. I graduated from Uni aware that the first bit of work experience I got would be the hardest - but also the most important.

After loads of phoning around a lot of textile design studios I managed to land a placement in New York at a fashion print design studio when I went for a few months and started creating prints for them which were shown to customers across the high street. I remember selling to Liz Claiborne and found it a really exciting experience. From there I built up a portfolio and came back to London and in the end realised my love for greeting cards.

 

 

What inspires you?

I am hugely inspired by travel and have a passion for discovering different cultures.

I visited India for the first time a few years ago and absolutely fell in love with it. I was completely bowled over by the colour, vibrancy and warmth of the country. In Rajasthan, absolutely everything I saw was decorated – from doorways to saris - even the buses had pompoms hanging from them!  It was all so full of embellishment, detail and colour. From the elegant scalloped archways, impressive latticework windows and in-laid ivory panels of the palaces, to the excitement of the bazaars filled to the brim with bangles, parasols, mirrored bedspreads and gem stones - a complete visual overload and a true feast for all the senses. I was in awe of the attention to detail and it’s been a huge source of inspiration in my designs.

Likewise, I travelled to Kyoto one autumn and the views and colour there were just really spectacular. I also found the fluidity in Japanese art very beautiful and back home I spent a lot of time at the V&A studying those collections. It was a visual feast absorbing it all, then translating that inspiration - combined with my knowledge of what’s commercial - to create Sara Miller London designs.

 

 

What was your very first card design?

My Green Birds design was one of the very first Sara Miller designs launched as a greeting card and is still part of the range today. The print has now been featured on over 50 different products from bed linen and blinds, to mugs and notebooks.

 

Talk us through how the process works when you design a card.

To design a new card collection, it really starts with an idea or theme and then I use mood boards to build up the atmosphere I want to achieve. I always have colour on my mind and constantly collect samples of interesting colour combinations as well as photos and sketches from recent travels. This helps me work out a palette which feels really fresh and new. Then I start with sketches and then take these to the computer to continue the design process.

 

 

What’s your favourite subject to draw/design and why?

I love birds! Their feathers give such a lot of scope for adding colour and detail, and they add lovely movement – whether it’s a soaring swallows or hovering hummingbirds. I also really enjoy the huge variety of bird personalities which gives a design real character – from flamboyant flamingos and quirky toucans to beautifully elegant herons.

 

Your designs have a touch of the exotic about them - tell us more about that…

I have always been inspired by my adventures around the globe. I love exploring and always try to capture a little piece of the exotic into my designs – whether it is the uplifting jewel colours inspired by the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean, the intense pinks in Japanese cherry blossoms, or the fusion of exotic fragrances from all parts of the globe in our bath and body products. Most importantly my aim is to always to create something enchanting and unique, that adds colour and personality into people’s everyday lives and brings happiness. 

 

 

Where else might we see your work?

As well as our greeting cards with The Art File, we now have a huge collection of over 1000 products sold in 60 countries worldwide featuring across fashion accessories including watches, purses and handbags, home fragrance, bath & body, stationery, gifts, giftwrap, luggage, wall art, cushions, bed linen, upholstery, wallpaper, kitchen storage and textiles as well as ceramics with British pottery specialists, Portmeirion. I have also just published a children’s book, Party Parade (published by Scholastic) with my sister, which was a childhood dream come true and has enabled me to share my passion for design with my children.

 

 

What do you do if you have a creative block?

Go out! Getting away from my desk and getting some visual stimulation is usually the best way to get me inspired – whether it’s to an exhibition, eating in an inspiring restaurant space, a trip round the shops or getting away somewhere more exotic.

 

What do you like about working with The Art File?

The Art File are renowned for the quality of their products – beautiful boards, high quality print, fine foiling and embossing, and such expertise in their area, so I know my designs will always be presented in the best possible way. The team at The Art File are also absolutely lovely to work with, plus they have great relationships with their retailers and had such success from the very with our range in both independent and major high street retailers. Together we have been nominated for ten Henries awards since our range launched which is testament to our great collaboration.

 

 

What do you do in your spare time?

As a Mum to two young children pretty much any time I have not working is spent with them! But if I do get some rare time to myself I always love a trip into central London – I find it so vibrant and exciting. Whether it it’s just enjoying some of the beautifully dressed shop windows or trying somewhere new to eat with friends.

 

Is there a famous person or celebrity who you would love to design a card for - or send one of your existing cards to - and why?

We spotted Holly Willoughby using one of our plates on This Morning last week so it seems like she might love to receive one of our cards! More seriously, I love the fact that our designs appeal to women of all ages – from those in their 20s to grandparents, and my joy comes from designing cards that are enjoyed by everyone, famous or not!