Gillian Kyle is a Glasgow girl, as well as founder of self-named brand Gillian Kyle, based in Glasgow, Scotland. The Gillian Kyle brand has gone from from strength to strength, starting from humble screen-printing beginnings to now selling Scottish wares all over the UK and internationally too. All of her designs start with hand drawn illustrations in pen and ink, from there getting transposed digitally then printed onto cotton, china, melamine or paper. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Gillian Kyle.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
I’m a maximalist! I like scale, color and impact and I prefer a haphazard riot of things I love in my house rather than a more curated and tasteful look.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
Lots of visual research until I find an angle that excites me - and then I draw thumbnails and create photoshop collages before I start to draw and pull things together.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
I did a internship with Timorous Beasties before I went to art school and I found them incredibly inspiring. The sheer scale of their creative talent is amazing, and they were such nice, down to earth guys. I also really liked their work ethic - they worked incredibly hard when they had to, but kept a good work life balance, making time for other things. its been amazing watching their progress since then.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
Inspiration usually comes when I relax - go to some exhibitions, hang out in vintage book, clothes and junk shops. I think you need to make some headspace in order to let creativity in.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
Perseverance and keeping an open and curious mind to the possibilities that are presented to me! Also having a very clearly defined vision for myself and my brand. I think its important to understand the law of attraction and the nature of creation - we are creating all the time so make sure you are creating positively!
