Designer insights with Onneke van Waardenburg

Onneke van Waardenburg is a licensed illustrator and surface pattern designer, working from Seaford, England. Onneke loves to create colourful and bright artwork for textiles, home products, apparel, gifts, tableware and stationery. She also creates her own cards and prints which she sells via Not On The High Street. Onneke is originally from the Netherlands, but now lives in the South of England with her family. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Onneke van Waardenburg.

Designer Insights - Onneke van Waardenburg

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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?

I make clean and bright digital illustrations and combine them with kraft paper, watercolour and other beautiful textures. I like to mix bright colours with a natural palette.

2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?

I make mood boards and spend a lot of time just thinking about how a design should look. At some point it all clicks and I start sketching and writing out my ideas.

3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?

I love working with the people at A Fresh Bunch, they have a huge knowledge about art licensing and are very good at pointing me in the right direction by creating amazing mood boards and colour palettes. I also love the designers that I connect with online, their help and support are immeasurable and I love seeing their work.

4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?

Sometimes I take a day away from the computer and take myself for a long walk to clear my head and make space for new ideas.

5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?

After becoming a mum I started to think about the possibility of selling my own work, and joining Not On The High Street was a great step in the right direction. I think as a designer/maker it's about finding the platform that works for you.