Turning Illustrations into Wearable Art
Hungry Designs began in Scotland while I was studying at Duncan of Jordanstone, College of Art & Design. As the course progressed, it became apparent that there was no real room for comic book style illustrations and I had to change my style of drawing completely in order to jump through academic hoops. I have always been a massive fan of comic books and this was no easy task for me, however receiving a good degree was more important than doodling superheroes and Day of the Dead sugar skulls.
After graduating with an honours degree in Illustration & Printmaking, I fell out of love with drawing and painting. I am a firm believer that higher education is there to break you, and I was broken. Exhausted from art school but still wanting to create, I started making and selling trinket and charm necklaces and accessories. Friends and family encouraged me to attend markets and events under the name Hungry Designs - the name of the fake fashion label I had created during my time at DoJ. This was the start of creating my own small business and I didn't even know it!
I moved back to Australia from Scotland in 2009 and Hungry Designs changed dramatically. After finally listening to my husband, Colin, and my friends and family, I took the leap and had 3 of my own illustrations cut from laser cut wood. Hungry Designs would never be the same again. I took my 3 designs to markets and the feedback was incredible. In the following weeks, I worked hard on a further 8 designs, getting them all cut. Hungry Designs now has over 200 individual wearable art pieces, each one being designed and illustrated by myself.
I'm looking forward to adding more illustrations and designs to my product line. There is nothing more wonderful than knowing that there are people walking around with my designs on their person.
I attend markets and events in Brisbane city centre and the greater Brisbane area. I am an active member of BrisStyle and can often be found at their events. I attend the Supanova Popular Culture event twice a year and also showcase the full Hungry Designs collection at The Finders Keepers Markets.
Hungry Designs is ran from my home in the greater Brisbane area. My illustrations and products are created in my studio with the help of Colin and our two guinea pigs, Bud Lucky and Champ Kind. I enjoy watching foreign films, reading comics and doodling for fun (although now it is tough to find time to draw non-Hungry Designs related illustrations). I love to travel and am grateful that I have had the chance to work and study in Britain. I am a avid gamer and love to spend down time playing computer games and table top games with friends.
Hungry Designs is fortunate enough to have stockists both in Australia and in the UK. A full list of stockists can be found on our blog.
