Julie Kouamo is a pattern designer working on prints and fabrics for the home, from her eponymous brand. Julie specialises in bold and emotional textile pieces and wallpapers, mixing traditional and modern printing techniques to create stunning designs. Her dying and dip-dying techniques also help to create new textures and give emotions to her pieces. She is inspired by everyday life to create both realistic figurative, as well as abstract designs. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Julie Kouamo.
Image Credit: 1) Heals 2) Anthropologie 3) Mind The Cork 4) Shopify 5) Shopify
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
At Kouamo we gather inspiration from across the globe through photography and illustration. To create our designs we experiment and combine many processes: traditional screen and modern digital printing and dip dyeing to name but a few.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
We start looking at any photography taken from our distant lands and we start sketching, working with lino printing drawing etc… Once we have enough materials we put the creative elements together using computer software.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
Working with Tricia Guild was very inspirational: firstly the way she understands and bringing colours together was a great insight in home decoration styling. Besides, the way she is able to use her business skills: giving sales pitch to her sales teams, creative direction to her design team, meeting with the financial team, public speaking at events. I admire how she managed to create an international home ware company.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
Travelling! It opens my mind to different printing techniques as well as different cultures. And it gives me a colour scheme to work from to.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
Dedication, hard work and a bit of luck. Advice: - Find what YOU want to do. - Research, understand and talk to your market. - Don't be afraid of setback, critics or failures. - And more importantly enjoy the journey.
